Is your home retirement ready?

Previous generations of retirees were likely to downsize and head to warmer locales. Today, more people are option to stay put, with 53 percent of retirees choosing to stay in their home throughout retirement.

“There’s always been an expectation that when people retire they will head to warmer weather and kick back a little, but today those notions about what people want from retirement are changing dramatically,” says Jennifer Wallace-Brodeur, senior advisor, programs, Livable Communities in AARP’s Public Policy Institute program, in an interview conducted by Athene.

Rachel Adelson, author of Staying Power: Age-Proof Your Home for Comfort, Safety and Style, adds in an interview conducted by Athene, “This new trend of staying put requires a little elbow grease, since many homes need updating to make sure they remain appropriate living spaces no matter how old you are or what your physical abilities are.”

Adelson continues, “We tend to underestimate future disabilities and illnesses because we’re optimistic as a species. But we know that our vision will change. We know that we may develop arthritis. There are a number of things that are predictable about aging and we need to think about them.”

What follows is a quick list of things to check for around your home that will make it easier to age in place. You won’t need to dive into all of these updates right away, but it’s smart to know what you’ll want to change so that you can make a priority list and budget.

Entries
Doorways may need to be widened: 32 inches with a straight-in approach is recommended; 36 inches if any turns are involved. Any steps leading into the house should have riser heights between 6 and 7.5 inches. Ideally at least one entryway should not have steps.

Floors
Floors should be level and smooth in order to prevent falls. “Falls can be life-changing for older adults,” says Adelson. “Many people who fall never go back to independent living.” It’s also important to remove scatter rugs and secure lamp cords and other electronic cords that pose a tripping hazard.

Stairs
Consider adding reflective, nonskid tape to stair treads. Install handrails on both sides of staircases, extending the handrails before and after the landings.

Lighting
Another issue that contributes to falls is a lack of good lighting. Bright, overhead lighting is best. Having three-way switches in different parts of a room and at opposite ends of hallways and stairs means lighting is always readily available. If you can’t retrofit the switches, consider using automatic night-lights in hallways and on stairs to make things safer.

Bathrooms and kitchen
Not only are you looking for trip or fire hazards, but also little things that can make daily tasks a bit easier. “Something simple like changing kitchen cabinet hardware to larger, easier-to-open options can make a huge difference,” says Adelson. “Likewise, installing grab bars in the bathroom is relatively easy and usually inexpensive.”

Your home is an important part of your retirement and taking proactive steps now can help ensure your space is ready to go as your needs and health change. By assessing your home now, you can begin to work your way down the list and more easily incorporate any necessary updates into your timeline and budget.