Aging in Place

When I first heard the phrase "aging in place" I had the vision of a big wheel of cheddar cheese sitting in a warehouse somewhere slowly mellowing out. It turned out that this was referring to people who choose to stay in their homes as thet grow old, rather than moving into an assisted living facility. Atually it is those facilities that turn out to be the "new" idea. People always aged in place until the mid-20th Century when assisted-care facilities became popular.

This year I took courses and was certified by my company as a Senior Real Estate Specialist. Perhaps it was because I’ve now reached that stage myself that so much made sense to me. I recently added a section to my Web site - www.TheMilfordTeam.com - about aging in place and the impact that the phenomenon of the Baby Boomers reaching retirement age and beyond is having on real estate. I originally called the section “Moving On” and focused initially on retirement and downsizing. Now I call it "Life Stages". I had a section there already about assisted living facilities, too; but now the whole aging in place thing has taken off and a new section was needed.

The changes required to a home for aging in place is just as big of a factor for builders as is the new interest in “green living.” Likely you can have both and both start out talking about the changes that one can make (remodeling projects) to an existing home. Obviously the suggestions for aging in place focus upon making the home more accommodating to the needs of occupants who are feeling the affects of aging. While I’ve posted much more to my web site, here are a few of the suggestions:

- Adapt lower floor of home for possible one level living
- Increased incandescent general and specific task lighting
- Easy garage or parking access
- At least one entry is without steps
- Doorways 36" wide with off-set hinges on doors
- Levered door handles instead of knobs
- Electrical outlets at 18 inches instead of 12
- Easy to open or lock patio doors and screens
- Light switches at 42" instead of 48
- Lever faucets and faucet mixers with anti-scald valves
- Stall shower with a low threshold and shower seat
- Grab bars at back and sides of shower, tub and toilet or wall reinforcement for later installation
- Bathrooms with turn around and transfer space for walker or wheelchair (36" by 36")
- Kitchen cabinets with pull-out shelves and lazy susans
- Easy to grasp cabinet knobs or pulls
- Task lighting under counters
- Cooktop with front controls
- Side by side refrigerator

There are some great Web sites that address this topic and I’ve put links to them on my Web site. And remember, if you’re at that stage where you’re considering getting rid of the McMansion and downsizing into something a little more suited to your current and future needs, give me a call. I’ll probably suggest something in Milford first, just because I think it’s a great place to retire; but, I can help you find a new home to age in place anywhere in Michigan.