Seniors to consider customizing existing home
After you have secured finances through a reverse mortgage, a home equity line of credit or solid retirement planning and you are happy with your current residence, now is the time to consider making alterations for the convenience of elder living. Rails on the porches, bathtubs and hallways may be a welcome addition. Also considering an electronic stair lift or elevator for those of us with the access to such exceptions. Karen Shan’s spotlights how many aging Americans are preparing for the 2nd half of their lives.
Yet the council states 35.9 percent of households aged 55 to 64 living in single-family detached homes reported difficulty with at least one physical activity, including dressing (9 percent), vision or hearing (11 percent), going out (11.9 percent), getting around the house (27.1 percent), remembering (12.7 percent) and working (23.8 percent).
Beyond that, more than 45 percent of households aged 65 to 74 and 70 percent of households aged 75 or older reported difficulty in some activity.
Modifying homes to account for decreasing mobility and sensory issues due to aging enables people to live in their homes longer. This story is the second in a series focusing on that issue - aging in place. Full Story
By 2012, 40 percent of all U.S. households will be 55 or older, according to the National Association of Home Builders. What’s more, “an overwhelming majority of us want to remain in our homes for as long as possible,” the National Aging in Place Council reports.
Written by charles dennis on June 15th, 2007 with
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