FSBO Jane

Aging is a universal truth that must be considered when buying a home. While most potential buyers are familiar with terms like curb appeal and staging, the idea of aging in place remains a mystery.

Simply put, aging in place means building and remodeling homes so that consumers 50 years and older can stay in their homes comfortably, safely and independently as they age, regardless of physical challenges. Most people over the age of 45 say that they want to continue living in their current environment as they age, but will their house be able to keep up?

Organizations like the Certified Aging in Place Specialist and The National Aging in Place Council are helping homeowners adapt their surrounding to fit their current and future needs. Here are a few ideas to keep in mind when purchasing or remodeling your home.

• A bedroom and bathroom on the main level of the house may prove useful
  when stairs are too difficult to climb.
• Make sure the home has at least one point of entry that doesn’t have any stairs.
• A kitchen that is located near where the groceries are unloaded will make the tasks less difficult.
• Hallways should be 36-42 inches wide. That way, everyone and everything moves more easily from room to room.
• Doorways that are 32-36 inches wide let wheelchairs and walkers pass through. Also, thresholds that are flush with the floor make it easy for a wheelchair to get through a doorway. They also keep others from tripping.
• Consider knee space under cabinets and vanities when standing for long periods of time becomes too difficult.
• The surface of a driveway should be smooth, but not slippery.
• Electrical outlets should be 27 inches above the floor.
• If you are installing carpet, consider a style with a low pile and a firm pad.
• While a trash compactor or a garbage disposal may seem frivolous now, they will decrease the number of trash bags that have to be carried to the curb.
• A walk-in closet is often viewed as a perk, but it allows better accessibility than a standard closet. Even a simple organizational system can aid a person with limited reach.
• Select a wider than average garage or carport to accommodate lifts on vans.
• Good lighting makes items easier to see and helps prevent accidents.
• A lazy Susan is an affordable way to make all items accessible.
• Rocker light switches and D-shaped handles are easier to grasp, especially for people with arthritis.
• Grab bars, especially in the bathroom, are great sources of support. They should be at least one-and-one-fourth inches around and should be textured for better grip.
• Select appliances with easy to read controls. Front loading laundry machines, side-by-side refrigerators and a side-swing oven will make cooking and cleaning easier.
• Area rugs should be secured with adhesive or eliminated all together.
• A portable ramp is a great solution for small stairways.
• Install smoke detectors and phones with added light to compensate for impaired hearing.
• Shelves that slide in and out, like those found in cabinets and refrigerators, allows for better accessibility.

Image: Seniors Finance