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Things You Need to Know About Making Your Home Your Partner As You Age
Tue 04 Nov 2008 - 11:49
Things You Need to Know About Making Your Home Your Partner As You Age
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Diane_Carbo]Diane Carbo
Your Home - Where Your Heart Is - Your Partner
Have you asked your self the tough question, " Where do I want to spend the rest of my life?" You are not alone if you answer, "I want to stay right here in my own home." According to a respected senior association, there are now 22 million senior homeowners (65 years or older) in the U.S. Eighty-five percent of them want to stay in their homes and communities for the balance of their remaining years. It is important to make this decision as early as possible so that they may make necessary changes to the home (such as a first floor bathroom) over time. These changes do not need to make the home look different than any other home in the neighborhood. In fact, consumer demand and technology has created a look to fit almost any décor.
Key to successful aging in place
Making your home your partner is a key to successful aging at home. We are living longer, healthier and active lives. As we age, activities we did with ease can become difficult. We often blame our inability to do things on ourselves when it really is the environment we are living in. Builders never took aging into account when many of our homes were built. Most homes were built with only the needs of the young growing family considered. Builders did not take into account that with aging may come limited range for reaching, or limited mobility.
Most of us wait until there is a crisis, a sudden hospitalization, decreased vision, an injury from a fall - to realize their home now requires some changes in order to be able to return there and/or continue living there with declining health. This takes planning and forethought to realize that the way your are presently functioning, will not necessarily be the level you will be functioning 10 or even 20 years from now.
It is better to prepare for our later needs as we age, as early as possible. Making changes to your home room by room over time, can not only assist you in aging at home while allowing you to finances these revisions over a longer time period, but will also increase the value of your home and increase its sell ability as these revisions will have already been completed for the new potential buyer.
You may need advice when considering changes
There are a number of items to consider when remodeling your home. You may wish to consult a professional early in your evaluation process. A certified aging In place specialist can provide information about home modifications specifically for an aging population.
You may want to consider having a certified aging in place home. This is a home that utilizes Universal Design. This is a term that means it is able to be used by everyone and is aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Home modification can vary, from simple installation of lever doorknobs on an older home to more complex structural changes, such as installing a walk-in shower. Home modification is not to entirely redesign your home but to make a range of changes that result in your home being a comfortable, user-friendly, and safer place to live.
When making home modifications, be wise regarding the modifications that need to be made. If you have arthritis, consider the fact that your mobility may be a factor in the future. Focus on modifications that will you allow to you continue to have mobility and freedom in your home. The same with sight, hearing and heart conditions.
The goal is to make your home your partner to enable you to live independently in your home for as long as possible and avoid having to relocate simply because your home is too difficult to get around in.
Diane Carbo is a Registered Nurse - As a geriatric care manager, that has cared for her father and mother in law in their homes, she learned first hand how overwhelming, stressful, and time consuming caring for a loved one can be. Staying in their homes was very important to them. As a result, Diane started http://www.aginghomehealthcare.com to assist others age in familiar surroundings and avoid the emotional and frustrating task of maneuvering the medical delivery system. You will find useful information on the importance of planning ahead and where to find needed help.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Diane_Carbo http://EzineArticles.com/?Things-You-Need-to-Know-About-Making-Your-Home-Your-Partner-As-You-Age&id=1624233
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