By Deborah Jeanne Post
If you’re in your 50s or 60s and moving into a new home, consider what needs you may have in the next 25 to 30 years. Careful consideration now can help you more affordably remain independent longer.
Lindsay Kratzer, owner of Aging Well Rochester:
• “Make sure that the home environment you’re going into is manageable. Can you keep up with maintenance with mowing and outdoors during the wintertime? Are you going to afford to have someone plow and do the lawn mowing? Make sure it’s maintainable if you’re going to do it.
• “Are there steps to go in and out and would they become a barrier later? Older homes tend to have narrower doorways. Preplan in case you need a wheelchair or walker, even temporarily. That equipment should fit through doorways.
• “Consider the bathroom set up. Older homes tend to have cramped bathrooms. Look for options so it’s easier. You might want a walk-in shower opposed to a bathtub with a shower. If you need adaptive equipment, is it easy to get in and out?
• “Think about the location. A lot of folks want to live in a more rural area. Access to medical care is something to consider, along with the distance to neighbors, the doctor and grocery store. Neighbors look out for each other in case something happens. If there’s a time of need, neighbors can help pitch in. Socialization is so very important, even for those more introverted.
• “If you’re not looking to downsize and you want a home that has stairs, that is split level or colonial, there is equipment and adaptations that could be done to the home but there’s expense. A stair lift can be very convenient, especially if you have the laundry in the basement. It’s easier if you have the laundry on the first floor.
• “Look at the cabinets in the kitchen. Are they high ceiling cabinets? Refrigerators are easy to swap out opposed to a full renovation. Is the fridge on top of the freezer? You don’t want to have to bend down.”
Ilse Passalacqua, social worker with Lifespan of Greater Rochester:
• “Some helpful features are open floor plans, few to no stairs, proper lighting or a home that can have adaptations done to make it accessible as people age.
• “Things that are often not considered are eliminating fall hazards like throw rugs or clutter in doorways to assist in egress. Lifespan has a Home Safe Home program that provides in-home safety assessments that identify slip and fall hazards, inadequate lighting and other problems and provide minor home modifications at a donation based fee.”
Jennifer Meagher, founder and owner and chief consultant at Senior Life, LLC in Rochester:
• “The house should be a one-floor design. That can mean it’s a ranch or that the first floor has room for a bedroom and a complete bathroom.
• “Have the washer and dryer on first floor instead of the basement. The steps should be in good repair with handrails. Taller toilets are important. Entry to the shower should be level or with a smaller step over threshold or convert the bathtub to one with a door on it.
• “The bathroom needs to be large enough to accommodate a walker or wheelchair with 32-inch-wide doorways. Have nonskid surfaces in the bathroom. Grab bars and more grab bars by the shower, toilet and by the garage doorways.
• “The lawn should be level and avoid slopes. People can hire someone to take care of the lawn but you shouldn’t go down a sloped driveway to get to the mailbox.”