A worry for some seniors is reaching the age when you can no longer live alone in your own home. Making these four changes around the house may help you to extend the time you can stay in your home.
Tub to Shower Conversion
Making modifications to your home may seem daunting, but many providers have streamlined the conversion process down to a one or two-day process. Available models also allow for relatively little demolition since many new units can fit into the same space occupied by your old shower or tub. When weighing the cost, you will have to consider that a tub to shower conversion alone may allow you to stay safely in your own home for many more years than you anticipated.
Converting One Home Entrance Into a Ramp
Falls are a major concern when living alone as a senior. Stairs increase the chances of tripping and falling in your home. Adding a ramp to one entrance of the home can relieve some fall anxiety that may come from bringing home groceries, taking the pet outside for a break, or even simple task such as going outside to get the mail. A small wooden ramp built by a local handyman may be an easy and inexpensive way to prevent a fall.
Get Rid of High Maintenance Items
The amount of home maintenance we can do ourselves decreases over time. Reducing the number of items on our property that require constant maintenance can alleviate the burden on you when the time comes that you cannot do the work yourself. Swimming pools, large fences, and too much landscaping are all beautiful, but all require constant maintenance. Eliminating or reducing the number of items that require a lot of maintenance will be one less thing you will have to worry about as you age.
Make Good Use of Unused Bedrooms
Do you know another senior with a similar situation that may be looking to live independently on a budget? Having another person live with you in your home who can contribute to the monthly expenses may help you to continue to live in your own home while not overextending your fixed budget. Make sure that your roommate is going to be of help to you, not a burden.
For more ideas, talk to your family, financial advisor, and other seniors. Open conversation about your desire to continue to live in your own home will expose you to ideas that you may not have considered.
