|
Ever since your last child started college or left the nest, you have been thinking of and looking forward to retirement. No more of those extra bills for college. This will be the time to do your own thing when you want and have plenty of time to do it. Most of you think of moving to a smaller house. There will be less work for the wife to keep up and it can be locked up and you can travel to the South Seas for months if you want. However, you have to remember, “Beginning retirement is the beginning of the rest of your life”. Is this house going to be the last residence that you will occupy? If so will it provide all the conveniences that you will need as you move forward in life? There are things to think about as you plan to build your dream house for retirement. In what location are you going to build it? Are you thinking of a mountaintop or a remote island so you can get away from the rat race? If you have, will this be a good location years from now when you need to travel to the nearest town for medical help or will medical assistance (the EMS) get to you easily when you need it. You have to remember that at times ill health parks itself at your doorstep before you are ready. As you age the body becomes less agile. Steps are harder to climb and snow is harder to shovel, and you will need help more frequently. How far are you from family and friends? If you have not thought of any of these problems and you are building a house, now is the time to discuss these concerns with your contractor. If you are buying a home, you should look for some of the following benefits in a home you are buying. 1. How many steps are there to enter the house? Can a ramp be easily added if necessary? 2. Are there railings by the steps to the entry? If not will they be easy to attach? 3. Are there different levels in the home? If you were in a wheelchair could you get from one end of the house to another or would you be confined to only a few rooms? 4. Are the halls and doorways wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair if one were needed? 5. Are the bathrooms large enough for one to turn around in with a wheelchair or for someone else to help with bathing? 6. Can a disabled person get into the shower or the tub? Think about walk in showers. 7. Look at the rest of the home. Fireplaces are romantic, but remember if one is burning logs, there are ashes to be removed. Perhaps a gas log may be better 10 years from now. 8. Check the placement of the washer and dryer. Are they placed in an area easily accessible when one is disabled? 9. Is the garage attached to the home making it easy to get from the car to house in inclement weather? After answering these questions, do you find your house to be retirement proof? |
