GETTING OLDER WITH YOUR HOME
Remove risks so you can stay safe and comfortable as you age in place
Every year, I say I’m ready to retire, and then, like clockwork, another project comes across my desk, I pick up my tool belt and I get to work. OK, so that dream of retiring and sailing off into the sunset is probably still a few years off. Even if that day isn’t here, it’s smart to have a plan.
For those of us whose retirement plans involve more time spent at home with children and grandchildren, how can we make that work? Some homeowners want to downsize to a condo, maybe a few want to move into a retirement community. But there’s one constant among most of us: we want to be able to stay in our own homes as independently as possible for as long as possible.
The biggest consideration for staying put in our homes is to answer this question: “Is it safe for me to do so?”
PROTECTING YOURSELF AT HOME
It doesn’t matter how old we are, we could have a nasty slip and fall. But the fact is, as we age, it becomes a much greater risk than when we’re young. One nasty fall can be all it takes to force you out of your home and into more active care. So what steps can we take to reduce that risk? Making some small adjustments around the home can make a big difference. These aren’t massive renovations, just small adjustments that you can add to make your home more safe.
Let’s go room by room:
■ In the bathroom, install grab bars in the shower and near the toilet — and consider installing a seat in the shower. Make sure the surface of your tub or shower is non-slip.
■ In the kitchen, ensure you’ve got plenty of lighting for performing kitchen tasks. One addition you could consider is cabinets and drawers on hydraulics that can move up and down, so you’re not using a step ladder or doing a lot of bending to reach your pots and pans.
■ Stairs should be well lit, with railings on both sides of the staircase. Remove any throw rugs near the top and bottom of the stairs. Wooden stairs can benefit from a carpet runner to prevent slips and falls.
■ Outside the home, make sure entrances and walkways are well lit. If you get a lot of snow, have a plan for that. Budget for snow removal on your driveway and sidewalks. Shovelling can be a trigger for heart attacks, so having a pro or even a young neighbour handling that is good for you.
Finally, in all rooms, take a count of all your electrical outlets. Are a few of them overloaded with extension cords or power bars? Consider making a call to your electrician to add some extra outlets where necessary. This means fewer cords in the way, removing a potential tripping hazard.
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
I live in the country and I love it — and this could be my forever home. Why? When I moved here, I did a look around the neighbourhood to see what amenities were available. Most important to me is that I’m no more than 10 minutes away from the closest hospital and grocery stores.
Your golden age home should be along a good public transit route and provide easy access to grocery stores, doctor’s offices and community centres, as well as restaurants and theatres. Even if your chosen city doesn’t provide much in the way of public transit, proximity is key. And you might not think about it — especially if you’re someone who drives a lot — but for seniors, safe, well-maintained sidewalks are extremely important, especially if you’re no longer able to drive.
Each municipality, province and territory will have different programs and services available to their communities. Find out what those are. You may be eligible for tax credits and benefits, or find a new group of like-minded people to help keep you active as you get older.
Getting older isn’t for wimps, but with some smart planning when we’re younger, we can make the transition much more easily as we age.