Looking Forward to the Comfort of Home

If owning a home was the old American dream, staying in it as we age is the new one. According to a survey by the AARP Public Policy Institute, almost 90 percent of Americans age 50+ intend to remain in their homes as long as possible. But to do that, people have to adapt their houses to support changing needs and lifestyles.
 
What Does Your Community Offer?

Crime rates, school rankings, commuting distance—and perhaps nightlife—have typically been among house-hunters' most important community considerations. But priorities change over the years. Although the traditional criteria may still be important, other factors—such as mobility—tend to move up on the list.

As you age, it often becomes more difficult to get around. But you can help address the problem by living close to such essentials as a grocery store and a doctor's office. You may also want to be near community gathering places, such as gyms or places of worship. Public transportation can also become important if driving is no longer an option.

The services available in your community can determine whether it's possible for you to age at home. Find out if your local Agency on Aging offers help with transportation and meals. Is there a local senior center that provides health services and recreation? How is the quality of home care? Learn more about what's available near you by visiting www.eldercare.gov.

Build a Support Network

In the United States, family and friends provide the majority of long-term care that people receive in their homes, according to research from the Urban Institute in Washington, D.C. But changing demographics, such as a mobile population and two-income households, mean it's not always possible for relatives to be around to help. If you're counting on family members or friends to help out in the future, have a candid conversation about what everyone envisions.

Getting involved in a faith-based community or a volunteer organization can broaden your support network. These groups often run programs to help members with routine activities, such as home repairs, grocery shopping, or getting to doctor's appointments. Volunteering now will help strengthen programs in your area so that they'll be there when you need them later. Find volunteer opportunities or start your own initiative by consulting AARP's Create the Good.

Time for a Redesign

In the Summer 2009 issue of Blueprints for Senior Living, the American Institute of Architects highlighted the growing number of people—particularly boomers—who are modifying their homes to include universal design elements. Many also choose homes where safety features are already in place. Universal design includes such features as entrances without steps; wide doorways and hallways; lower light switches and thermostat controls; lever-style door and faucet handles; first-floor bedrooms and kitchens; and full bathrooms.

That's just what Sharon Henson had in mind when she and her husband, Frank, began planning their new home in Allen, Texas. "Our main goal was to have a house that was as maintenance-free as possible," says Sharon, a 60-year-old property manager assistant. "Everything is about making our lives easier."

The Hensons installed back-saving raised counters in the bathrooms and kitchen, which also have cabinets with pull-out shelves for easy reaching. They also chose higher toilets—which put less stress on the knees—and lever-style door handles. "Carpal tunnel syndrome has weakened my grip," says Sharon. "The lever handles are much easier to use."

The Henson home also includes a remote-controlled security system and lighting, easy-to-clean tile and hardwood floors, inside-wall pest control to reduce fumes, extra-wide doorways to accommodate a wheelchair if Sharon or Frank should ever need one, and a raised frontload washer and dryer.

The adaptations blend seamlessly with other upgrades, making the home a beautiful and welcoming place to entertain family and friends. "We're really trying to think ahead," says Sharon. "We've had homes with grand staircases, and we just don't need that anymore. In this house, we have an extra bedroom in case we eventually become ill and need someone to help us out. And everything is on one level."  

"Universal design is really about interiors that work for all people," says Colorado interior designer Cynthia Leibrock, ASID, who specializes in design for health and longevity. "Nobody wants to live like they're in a hospital. The whole secret of universal design is that it's invisible."

Leibrock notes three levels to help you achieve universal design:

• Easy Changes: These include quick fixes, such as taping down area rugs.
• Inexpensive, Adaptable Modifications:  You can complete these changes in steps. For instance, you can install the supports for grab bars now, but add the grab bars later.
• Full Universal Design: To accomplish this, you have to remodel or build.

"Imagine your home as a place for regeneration, a sanctuary for healing the wounds of the outside world," suggests Leibrock. "Space to grow fresh herbs, fruit, and vegetables, and an exercise area in the most beautiful part of the house motivate you to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Antimicrobial counters and hot water dispensers for sterilizing help prevent disease. And, in the event of pregnancy, childbirth, or illness, universal design can restore your ability to function without assistance."

Some modifications, like redesigning front entrances, may seem expensive initially. But when the national average cost of a one-bedroom unit in an assisted living residence is more than $3,000 a month, the price of home modifications suddenly sounds more reasonable.

Even when living on tight budgets, you can still take steps to remove clutter, install grab bars in showers, or put handrails on both sides of the stairway. AARP has several suggestions for low-cost ways to make your home safer.

Such safety measures include technology that makes it easier for you to stay in your home longer. Pendants that allow you to call for help have been around for several years. But today, you can install sensors that monitor temperature, turn off appliances, and alert family members if you haven't got out of bed all morning.

Get Creative and Start Planning!

Design, technology, and creativity are combining to create better opportunities for aging in place. Emerging ideas are reshaping how we think about retirement.

In some subdivisions, neighbors who want to age in place are joining together and forming nonprofit villages. In the village model, everyone pays a yearly fee, and the community uses the money to purchase services as needs arise. Most villages offer transportation, home-delivered meals, routine housecleaning, and referrals. Some are also adding concierge services, such as help with errands, pet sitting, and planning trips.

Home-sharing is also gaining popularity, especially in the current economy. Today, more than 100 programs around the country match older homeowners with younger tenants. The programs run criminal and credit checks on prospective tenants and help with drawing up rental agreements and settling disputes.

Putting the right plan into place can help you grow older in the comfort of your own home, where you can retain a measure of independence, just as Sharon and Frank Henson do. And that's something to look forward to.

For more information about planning for long-term care, visit www.aarp.org/decide. Decide to plan now for long-term care, create a plan that works for you, and share it with your loved ones. Let AARP help you Decide. Create. Share.^SM