When considering life’s many inconveniences, English writer G.K. Chesterton wisely said that any inconvenience can be turned into an adventure if we just consider it with the right attitude.
As we age, we can either look at the future with dread, or see it as an opportunity to finally focus our time and energy on the things that matter most to us, to grow inwardly, strengthen our ties to community and nature, and to simplify our lives by downsizing our homes and shedding most of our stuff.
Planning A New Chapter
Those who transition more effectively from a busy working life to one of greater leisure and contentment in retirement have one thing in common: they plan ahead. They seek to downsize to a home or condo offering a senior-friendly design and an array of senior-friendly features.
“The first thing they look for is not having any stairs,” says Dan Ihara, CEO of The Ihara Team Keller Williams in Honolulu. “Homes with even a single step up or down, such as a sunken living room, can be a future hassle.”
They also look for wide hallways, 36-inch doorways, and open floor plans for ease of maneuver.
“They like big spaces in the bathroom,” Ihara adds. “The bathroom has to be large enough if one needs a wheelchair.” At least one step-in shower is a must, and base-row wall tiles that contrast with the floor tiles preferred to help readily distinguish between wall and floor. Another desired feature is an adjustable-height showerhead with a handheld wand to extend the ability to bathe independently.
Around the house, prudent, far-thinking buyers ensure storage spaces are easy to access, making it unnecessary to bend, stretch, or climb ladders to reach them. In the kitchen, attention is placed on appliance height to ensure they will be able to get to them with ease and comfort.
In regard to flooring, soft and smooth surfaces like cork, rubber, and linoleum are preferred since they are kinder on the joints and don’t pose a trip hazard like thick carpets do.
Little Features Make A Big Difference
“Even the smallest residential design details can have potentially life-saving impacts,” says Karen Kubey, an urbanist and contributor to New York City’s 2016 Aging in Place Guide.
Opt for mechanisms that are easier to operate when mobility is impaired, the NY Aging Guide recommends. For example, choose door levers over doorknobs; light switches with a rocker panel are preferable to a toggle switch; awning-type window units are the easiest to open and close.
Consider how technology-powered devices can facilitate life in later years. Mechanisms like front door locks, lighting, or thermostats you can control with a smartphone can be easier to operate in advanced age.
To reduce glare and shadows which create trip hazards, indirect lighting is advised. Electrical outlets 18 to 24 inches off the ground are helpful to reduce how far you’ll have to bend to access them.
Ease Of Care & Access
Location and maintenance are also key considerations.
Consider ready access to quality healthcare (walk-in clinics and hospitals) when choosing your new location. If your family lives far away or if you travel a lot, you will want to be near a major airport. As for leisure and entertainment, make sure your new home is close to your preferred activities.
A newer home with a small yard will ensure most of your future time is devoted to things that give you joy, rather than on chores and burdensome maintenance projects and repairs.
By planning ahead, homebuyers at the threshold of retirement and preparing to downsize strive to minimize or eliminate the inconveniences that life presents us as we age, thus freeing their time to focus on the adventures they have waited so long to enjoy.
Can We Help?
Whether you’re downsizing because the time is right or because you’re looking to simplify your life, Julie and her team are ready to help you plan ahead, sell your existing home when the moment comes, and find that perfect place for you to write that new and exciting chapter in your life.
Please contact Julie at 650.799.8888 or Julie@JulieTsaiLaw.com to schedule a free consultation.
