Aging-in-Place in Your Forever Home
Aging-in-place is not just a trend – it’s a mindset held by many in the Baby Boomer generation, and sure to extend to Gen X when they start entering retirement age as well. Remaining in your home, where you raised your family and made memories of a lifetime is one of the ways to maintain independence and control over your life as you get older. You’ve made your home into a sanctuary over the years. There are also significant psychological and emotional benefits of staying connected to your neighborhood and community. If this is a journey you want to be on Golden Home Management can help you do it safely.
Look at Your Home Through a Future Lens
Everything about your home may be working perfectly for you right now, but there are some changes you may need to consider making before you absolutely need them. Start with thorough assessment of your home to identify potential safety hazards and areas that may need modification. Especially when it comes to ease of maneuverability both indoors and outdoors. Golden Home monthly subscribers have the advantage of a monthly visit from an experienced – and fully vetted – handyman to help with this kind of assessment. Here are some general suggestions we find apply to most homes.
Consider employing some adaptable design features that look great now and accommodate changing needs. Things like non-slip flooring, wider doorways, and lever-style door handles are good changes to start making a bit at a time. These adaptable options help ensure that your home continues to be functional even if mobility needs change.
Small Changes - Big Impact
Adequate lighting throughout your home makes every room more user-friendly. As our eyes age we need brighter lighting to avoid eye strain. Bathrooms are important to consider modifying. Grab bars strategically placed near showers, tubs, and toilets enhance stability. A walk-in shower with a low or zero threshold and slip resistant flooring is aesthetically high-end while providing easier access and a safer environment.
Embrace new technology to enhance both convenience and safety. Smart home technology is easy to integrate a bit at a time, so you don’t have to commit to an entire robot home in order to enjoy the benefits. Smart thermostats make it easy to program routines that match your activity and even make adjustments while you’re away from home. Home security systems that use smart technology give you peace of mind and can include smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, so you get an alert on your phone if anything unusual is detected. You can also add security cameras so it’s easy to see who is near your home at any given time. The option to give a family member access to your system is an extra layer of safety in case of an emergency.
Re-design your forever home with future needs in mind, allowing for modifications without major disruptions to your daily life. Planning ahead gives you the opportunity to prioritize functionality without compromising comfort or aesthetics. Golden Home Management is here to help you evaluate your needs and facilitate renovations through one of the vetted professionals in our database. Give us a call, let us simplify the process for you.