Aging in place is poised to become the new black.
The U.S. Census Bureau projects that by 2030, one in every five people in our country will be retirement age. Increasingly, older Americans say they prefer to stay in their homes as they age–known as “aging in place” – rather than relocating to retirement communities or moving in with family.
While other options have their own benefits, aging in place allows older adults to stay in a familiar community, near friends and favorite activities, and to maintain a feeling of continuity and independence. Multigenerational communities strengthen social ties and interdependence between older and younger people and can help reduce social isolation among seniors.
Unfortunately, most homes aren’t ready to safely house older people, particularly those with disabilities, without significant retrofitting. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, fewer than four percent of homes are apppropriate for people with moderate mobility problems, and only about one percent are wheelchair accessible.
Planning for Aging in Place
If you’re thinking about aging in place, the earlier you start to plan, the easier it will be. Accomplishing one or two projects per year can help ensure your home is ready for you to live safely and comfortably, even if you develop mobility problems and other conditions that can occur with aging.
Some projects are complex enough to need an architect and contractor – widening hallways for wheelchair accessibility, for example – but many can be accomplished by the average homeowner in a day or two with minimal expense.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll take you through your home area by area, with suggestions for retrofitting it for aging in place. From bedroom to garden to basement, we’ll look at changes large and small that can turn your current home into the perfect place to spend your retirement years.