Why I think people moving in middle age should seek accessible housing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Put in elevator. Problem solved.

Agreed. My 80 year old parents live in a 3 story house with elevator.

Let them eat cake. Problem solved!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Having stairs and climbing them everyday prevents many accidents as it keeps people limber. I would not suggest an accessible home until needed.

While this is true, part of the issue is the increased likelihood of falls with age (a fact) and the increased damage those falls inflict on an older body. It’s not that older people cannot use stairs, it’s that if they have what would be a minor fall for a younger person, it is often not minor to them. Broken hips, femurs, head injuries. Ask any EMT or paramedic what most residential calls entail - it’s folks who fell on stairs, or are having medical issues and cannot safely navigate their stairs.

Additional there are other good reasons to find one-level living if you can. My family member had a bad injury requiring rehabilitation. They were bluntly told the only reason they were permitted to do rehab at home - vice living in a skilled nursing home for months alone - was that their home had a bedroom and full bath on entry level. I can’t imagine the stress of not being able to return home and instead being made to stay in a facility because of your home structure.

I realize finding one level housing is easier said then done in this area however.

[Anonymous]

I find the whole thing funny. As if 55 is old. I bought my current home at 55. I had a wife a 10, 15 and 17 year old and three cars.

45-55 is trade up time. Not ranch one level living. And retirement age is 67 in United States.

I am an empty Nestor at 67 and will retire. But then I want to maybe travel, figure where to live. Maybe downsize but more likely buy a second home one level as a vacation home to see if I like it.

My neighbors many are 60-85 and live in large homes and walk all the time. My 80 year old neighbors across the street walk three miles every day.

My house literally of old would only need to go up and downstairs twice a day to just to sleep.

Also where do kids and grandkids stay in your magically one story home. None of my kids are staying in DMV it appears.

They come home Xmas and Thanksgiving they expect their bedrooms. Come marriage will be bringing spouses and then grandkids.

And I WFH I can’t imagine how horrible that is on one level. And what about hobbies?

And who is cleaning out these big houses. Kids are lazy. Is my 80 year old neighbors supposed to empty a 7,000 sf house on their own and pack up?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had the opposite issue. Could not do lots of stairs on my 30s due to multiple surgeries and nerve issues on my legs. Finally feel better in my 40s and ready for a two story home. I do t know what the future will hold but it’s been really hard so I’m ready to enjoy at least some of my years in a 2 story beg up re I get older and/or things take a turn

I'm sorry but you need to be more mindful to avoid wear and tear on joints to keep them functioning for longer.

That may be true for many, but living with limitations is not a new thing for me. It's been going on since my 20's and I've had to be mindful for most of my young adult life. If need be, we will relocate---but for the first time since age 20, I feel "safe" enough to make this move and am proud of my progress---knowing that things can always change

[Anonymous]

My family is full of cops, I agree OP.

The things they see and talk about when we get together.

The fallacy that walkable communities are good for aging and elderly. Pretty much every car hitting a pedestrian is a teen being an idiot or an older person making a grave mistake.

Falling down stairs is huge.

Getting stuck in their apartment when electricity goes out, can’t walk stairs, elevator out, die of dehydration.

[Anonymous]

Just make sure your first floor office has a closet, so it can become a bedroom and that your fist floor bathroom has at least a shower. Done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Totally agree with OP. We bought our forever home at age 52/53 and it's one story. We get plenty of walking in thanks to our dog and our love of hiking, and stairs aren't a problem for us now. But every family member I've watched age hit a point where they had difficulty with stairs and/or simply stopped using them. Why choose a house when at some point you may only be able to live on one floor?

I bought my "forever home" in my 30s. It has 4 levels. I would have no issue living on the ground floor as we age. In fact, I planned for it.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't want to live in my huge McMansion as an empty nester. Its just waste of time, money and energy to spend my old age cleaning, maintaining and repairing or paying for it. There are way more interesting ways to spend retirement years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Totally agree with OP. We bought our forever home at age 52/53 and it's one story. We get plenty of walking in thanks to our dog and our love of hiking, and stairs aren't a problem for us now. But every family member I've watched age hit a point where they had difficulty with stairs and/or simply stopped using them. Why choose a house when at some point you may only be able to live on one floor?

I bought my "forever home" in my 30s. It has 4 levels. I would have no issue living on the ground floor as we age. In fact, I planned for it.

Good for you. I hope life goes as you planned and you don't face any curve balls.

[Anonymous]

I'm 42 and WANT an accessible home!

THERE AREN'T MANY ON THE MARKET!

[Anonymous]

Just listen to OP and other PPs, talking about converting first floor offices into bedrooms.

It's the real estate equivalent of "Let Them Eat Cake".

The majority of Americans cannot afford to build their own homes. They have to buy or rent already existing homes. And most of those are NOT accessible.

Shame on you. If you want this to change, push for legislation to make more new homes accessible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I'm 42 and WANT an accessible home!

THERE AREN'T MANY ON THE MARKET!

But some are easier for that transformation, others not so much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Just listen to OP and other PPs, talking about converting first floor offices into bedrooms.

It's the real estate equivalent of "Let Them Eat Cake".

The majority of Americans cannot afford to build their own homes. They have to buy or rent already existing homes. And most of those are NOT accessible.

Shame on you. If you want this to change, push for legislation to make more new homes accessible.

NP. You don’t seem to know what you’re talking about. I don’t know about the rest of the DMV, but in MoCo, my friend’s landlord was required to make the apartment in downtown Silver Spring accessible. This included modifications to the door, taking out the oven (because she couldn’t bend over from her chair to use it and the empty space helped her roll under cabinets they installed above the oven), and more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Just listen to OP and other PPs, talking about converting first floor offices into bedrooms.

It's the real estate equivalent of "Let Them Eat Cake".

The majority of Americans cannot afford to build their own homes. They have to buy or rent already existing homes. And most of those are NOT accessible.

Shame on you. If you want this to change, push for legislation to make more new homes accessible.

NP. You don’t seem to know what you’re talking about. I don’t know about the rest of the DMV, but in MoCo, my friend’s landlord was required to make the apartment in downtown Silver Spring accessible. This included modifications to the door, taking out the oven (because she couldn’t bend over from her chair to use it and the empty space helped her roll under cabinets they installed above the oven), and more.

PP again. Also, anybody with a dining room can convert it into a bedroom with some room dividers or screens if necessary. Pretending this is exclusively about new builds is silly.

[Anonymous]

I agree with you, OP. My next place is going to be a condo with a front desk in a walkable area.