When it comes to aging, we often wait for a crisis to make big decisions. However, I’ve seen firsthand how a proactive approach can make all the difference in maintaining independence and peace of mind.
Designing for a “Forever Home”
My parents provided a perfect example of proactive “aging in place.” Over twenty-six years ago, while in their mid-60s, they designed their final home with the future in mind:
- Accessibility from the Start: They ensured all interior and exterior doors were 32 to 36 inches wide.
- Functional Layout: They opted for a U-shaped kitchen with a 7×12 floor space, providing plenty of room to maneuver.
- Ease of Entry: The home was built with minimal steps and thresholds at the front door.
Because of this foresight, simple adaptations – like adding a removable aluminum ramp, grab bars, and modifying garage steps – allowed them to stay in their home even as their mobility changed.
Financial and Legal Foresight
Proactive aging isn’t just about the physical environment; it’s about getting your affairs in order. My father-in-law took this to heart in his 60s by:
- Establishing Authority: He named my wife as his power of attorney for both financial and medical decisions.
- Shared Ownership: He set up joint ownership of his condo with his children to ensure a smooth transition.
The Reality Check
For my wife and me, our personal experiences combined with my work as an aging-in-place specialist led to a realization: our current colonial-style home isn’t our “legacy home.” We can’t age in place here. Because of this, we’ve already planned that by age 65, we will be in our forever home, fully ready to age in place.
Why Proactivity Matters
Taking these steps early allows you to live a more fulfilling life without the stress of “reactive” decision-making during a health crisis.
Is your home a “legacy home” or just a temporary one?
As an aging-in-place specialist, we help families navigate these exact transitions. Contact us today for a consultation on how to design a space that grows with you.
– By John Warther, Certified Aging in Place Specialist – Changing Places