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Aging in Place: Plan for the Future

nonothing

Well-known member
We all are comforted by the thought of aging gracefully and well in our own homes. But does that mean staying in the house in which you've spent your working and child-rearing years?

Everyone's needs and lifestyle change over time, as you undoubtedly have observed while watching your own parents and other loved ones age. So as you contemplate your future, ask yourself:

Will I still need and want as much house as I have now?
Will I want the maintenance of a house and yard?
Will I want to focus more on me, and less on a house?
Do I want more time to do the things I enjoy and to have new experiences?
Would a different living environment, whether it's a change of climate or a move to a different type of house, be better for my overall health and longevity?
Are my children, and maybe even grandchildren, in a different part of the country?
Will my retirement savings last longer in someplace else with a lower cost of living?
Is my house in an area with the cultural attractions and activities I'd like enjoy when time allows?
In short, you have more options than ever: a loft downtown, a vacation home, even a house in a retirement community. Now is the time to start thinking about the rest of your life and to plan and prepare for that future.

Stay Put or Move?

A survey by the National Association of Home Builders found that 50 percent of those 55 and older have lived in their homes for more than 10 years and are reluctant to move. Another national survey found that 83 percent of older Americans want to stay in their current homes for the rest of their lives.

On many levels, that's understandable. You may have invested many years, and dollars, in updating your house and transforming it into your dream home. Further, the thought of sorting through years of possessions, and the accompanying memories, might be daunting. On a more fundamental level, we often feel secure and in control in our own homes.

Yet those of you close to what author Gail Sheehy calls "second adulthood" (in New Passages: Mapping Your Life Across Time) are more affluent and active than previous generations. Boomers expect to continue to be life-long learners and engaged with friends and community in their senior years, and in fact look forward to having even more time for those activities.

As you sort through lifestyle questions, this is also a good time to think about the physical dwelling where you'll live in the future. It's a given that our physical abilities will change as we age. You can live independently and comfortably at home for years to come if you either adapt your house or eventually find another better suited for your senior years.

Universal Design

Among the most exciting design trends these days is the growing use of universal design principles, which were developed by architects, engineers and others under the auspices of the Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University. Universal design, whether in housing or products, is "usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without adaptation or specialized design."

One widely publicized application is Good Grips, a line of easy-to-grip kitchen utensils that feature fat, rubber handles. A retired kitchenware executive developed the product line after he watched his arthritic wife struggle with a vegetable peeler.

Universal design is a design philosophy that can help us all live better and more safely. However, it is particularly useful when thinking about the needs of an older person. It incorporates features into houses that compensate for reduced mobility and poor eyesight.

Familiarizing yourself with universal design elements for the home can help you to evaluate whether you can add some to your own house. These features include at least one entry to the house without steps; enhanced interior and exterior lighting (think motion detectors); walk-in closets with plenty of accessible storage at different levels, and kitchen counters at different heights (so that you can sit or stand).

Universal design also extends to products for the home. One of the seven principles of universal design, for instance, is "low physical effort," or design that can "be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue." As a result, two of the products being used increasingly in new homes, or added when homes are remodeled, are lever faucets and door handles, as opposed to door knobs, and rocker light switches, as opposed to flip switches.

The Future

For years, companies have ignored the so-called "mature market." But Baby Boomers' wealth and comfort with technology make this a group that won't be ignored as you age. Companies realize that you'll spend money on high tech products that help you stay well and maintain your quality of life. That realization is driving the growing development of assistive technology.

Some products originally developed for people with disabilities are now widely used. Voice-activated software, for example, is now a feature on many cell phones. Now, product engineers are realizing that existing technology, such as the keyless entry systems used by many cars, might be used in the home.

Many others are developing products specifically for the elderly. Research institutions like MIT and the Georgia Institute of Technology and companies like Honeywell, Hewlett-Packard, Phillips and Motorola are working on a host of devices that can help people remember to take their medication or complete daily tasks, as well as enable their caregivers to monitor behavior or physical changes.

Thanks to these innovations, plus others that are sure to follow, most of us should indeed be able to age in place.

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