I’ve been an advocate for Aging in Place Gracefully since 2006. For most Americans who are over 50 years old, I’ve observed two major obstacles that prevent this reality.
Obstacle Number One
The number one obstacle to the 50+ is an age phobia. The negative attitude or stigma that so many attach to aging. Therefore, why would they need any home upgrades since they are not aging!
Yes, of course, we have heard the phrase, 70 is the new 50. We also are aware of the older social media influencers and the like. However, when it comes to doing upgrades in homes, the mindset is different. When it comes to ensuring a safer, more ergonomic, and functional 50+ home? Here comes the resistance. Most think these upgrades are for those old people.
Believe me, I’ve seen this resistance during my three decades in my interior design business.
Obstacle Number Two
The second major obstacle stems from the unavailability of 50+ appropriate homes. This astounds me. There is a huge demographic out there wanting more than what is on the market.
This is simply wrong given the vast amount of info on this age group’s wants and needs.
And then there are these major huge developers – no names mentioned. These developers market for the 50+ and sell a crazy amount of homes in prime areas. However, my BFF just moved to one and you know what? No curbless showers were an option, not even with an upgrade pricing. Nor could they raise the master vanities without a price increase. Nor reposition the island to accommodate their wants.
It is shocking to see the inadequate number of homes that meet the 50+ qualifications. Shocking! Particularly when one considers the large amount of publicity this demographic receives. Why do we not have more home options to age gracefully in livable homes?
The Reality of Today’s Market
Allow me to share our experience. Almost three years ago, my husband and I came to a realization. Our current home’s location was not where we wanted to live the rest of our days. Because we knew what a 50+ downsized home required, our search eliminated most potential homes. They were woefully inadequate to meet our needs.
This tells me that I was correct in my book, Design Smarts, in the chapter, “We Need a Housing Revolution.” Additionally, the 50+ individual’s perspective must evolve. To grasp that aging at home upgrades is the smartest avenue for them to pursue.
Of course, there is always the option of upgrading one’s existing home to Aging Gracefully. If moving is not desired or is not an option. But why would this be another obstacle?
During decades in my interior design business, I’ve made another observation. The majority of homeowners simply do not regard their home’s appropriateness for Aging Gracefully a high priority.
I was, however, very fortunate to design upgrades or homes for the savvy homeowner. The ones who were wiser than the majority of age-denying individuals. These were the ones seeking how to live not only smarter, and better, but also safer and easier. Their homes have features that usher in a wonderful home experience for years and years to come. This is the homeowner that I love!
To this end, we designed our former home. We built it to be a “living lab” as an Aging In Place home. I taught classes on this subject by real-life examples in our home. We had many tours there and people would ask, why it was an aging-in-place home. It absolutely did not look like one.
And this is the key. We need more examples of Aging Gracefully at Home. For those individuals who are not fortunate to be in an area where these models exist. Therefore, this is exactly what my Lifesizing® message is. To educate and motivate with positive real-life examples.
Have You Created Your Last, Best Nest
Nevertheless, my passion and message will always be motivating this powerful, beautiful demographic. To pioneer with me and bust open these outdated negative strongholds. To live the fabulous life we are meant to live.
So I ask you, is your home your friend or your foe?
Ask yourself:
- If you had a cast, or recent surgery, or a recent knee or hip replacement. What bathroom in your current home would work for you to easily take a shower?
- Do you even have a first-floor bathroom where you can maneuver safely for your basic needs? What if you are on crutches from a procedure or accident?
- Do you have your own private, personal sanctuary space in your current home? What could a sanctuary space have anything to do with a healthy home?
- What about when entering or leaving your home through your garage? Is there a landing, with wide, deep steps, good lighting, and a handrail?
- When working in your kitchen, are you always reaching up or bending down to do everyday tasks?
Well, your answers to these questions will reveal whether you are living in a healthy Gracefully Aging Home; one that equips and empowers you daily to live a healthier life and to age gracefully at home. We all deserve no less.
If post was helpful to you, we suggest you check out: The Simple Thing I Wish I’d Done While My Mother Was Still Alive.
Mitzi Beach is an award-winning interior designer, author, and 50+ demographic marketing & lifestyle specialist. She is the author of Design Smarts, Inspiration for Home + Life. Presently, Mitzi is honing her passion for empowering women through weekly blog posts, staying current on all topics related to aging gracefully for the 50+, as well as a bit of design consulting! Because she has no intention of retiring completely, there are other exciting projects in the works that she looks forward to sharing.
For more information visit https://mitzibeach.com
Great suggestions. Yes, these are questions we all need to ask ourselves about our home environment. My husband and and I spent a great deal of time discussing these implications before we remodeled our entry area.
Good for you Lauren to be aware of the major importance of preparing your home for your future to live in a nurturing and safe environment that keeps you keeping on! Little adjustments can reap huge rewards.
Thank you for a detailed idea of aging with thought for how to live smartly, and comfortably. I’m going to look at your book for more of your wisdom.
You are so very welcome Jacqueline! It is my greatest joy to reach those entering into new life stages who realize changes to their homes is not a luxury an absolute requiremtnt to Ageless Aging at Home.
Mitzi. If you have written more on this subject, or have a podcast, please let me know. You’ve really thought this through, and maybe a new business opportunity may open up for organizers.
We moved to an active 55 community. And curbless showers are now standard for the new section; ours is almost curbless. We did not select shiny, slippery floors. We are across the street from a hospital/medical office park. We intend to age in place here until or unless we can’t. But there is downside to our community. There is no public transportation so everything depends on driving. While not a small development, there is an insularity; you will see your neighbors often and regularly. There are no small children except for visiting grandchildren. I think variety (amongst ages) is the spice of life. And many people are “snowbirds” and leave in the summers so when the temperature is up, the activities are fewer. And—I’m learning that I am not good at design having been lucky enough to have moved into already styled decors. We are trying to settle in without making too many faux pas.
Smart move on your part and hopefully you are continuing to reap the benefits while acknowledging there is no perfect place this side of heaven. However, we do the research, make sound decisions, and definitely do not subscribe that we are just fine just the way we have always been. Love your detailed comment that will help many others.
Mitzi,
These are great questions that my husband and I have asked too and done little things to make our living space more safe.. I constantly dream of my perfect “Little old lady, go home to Jesus cottage.” I look forward to reading more of your wisdom and suggestions on how to make these changes a reality and how to accomplish them. THIS TOPIC is so important. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
I thank you Debbie for realizing the super important necessity of having these conversations that unfortunately do not happen with the majority of those over 55 and up. It is incredulous to me after 2 decades of writing and speaking on this topic that there are those who refuse to admit that they need to do anything to prepare their homes for their changing life stages. Your comment is a breath of fresh air to me!
When my husband and I bought our current home ten years ago (when we were each 56), we knew it would not be our forever home–though I have loved living here. It is a two story and the primary bedroom and bath is upstairs. We keep saying we will probably live here another 5 years. While we are not quite ready to leave this home, we know we need to start thinking about our next home and its location. Your suggestions offer good things to think about we we do start looking.
I understand where you and your husband are currently loving your home. Let me share an analogy with you on when to make a move. My husband Bob’s super high level audiologist says most people wait 6-7 years too late before gettitn hearing aides. By then, hearing average loss is 40%.
Many homeowners wait till and then find out how exhausting it is to make this next life stage move with expoentially less energy and physical stamina than if they had not waited to move. Additionally, this should be an exciting new adventure to be savored while one can enjoy this new wonderful life journey.
Very interesting article Mitzi, we became very aware of this as well. A broken foot made me painfully aware that our 2-story midwest farmhouse with steep stairs and no entry level showers was not a place to be retiring in. Looking forward to reading more of you ideas!
I appreciate you sharing your perspective, Jill. This is the reality of life whether a procedure such as a knee replacement etc that reveals how one’s home is not working to be able to even take a shower without major difficulties. Smart homeowners make smart life decisions to prepare to live a wonderfully fullfilling life in their present updated home or to a new more appropriate home.
Excellent questions! We hope to move as we get closer to retirement and continue to
discuss these issues. It is important to plan out and to realize… we are all aging!
Cynthia, you are ahead of most who surprisingly are not accepting the reality of aging. My point is since this is our reality, why are we not being proactive like most do with their finances etc?
Smart 50+ers will rule Ageless Aging!
Excellent topic! Thank you for posting this. As a Licensed Interior Designer I gave a CEU about 25 years ago on this topic of Ageing in Place to NM designers, architects and builders. I’m very passionate about this and have encouraged clients to consider Ageing or Post Accidents at the home for new construction or remodels. I’ve gotten some “crazy looks” when I bring up grab bars in the showers/bathtub or bathroom wider doors bc they weren’t elderly. I built my last 2 custom homes w Ageing in Place principals and making them attractive. My latest home is in a 55+ community and I bought an older home that I could affordably remodel and make it for this purpose. Both my front and side entrances are now “age appropriate “ with one having a side ramp and the front having stairs dimensioned to be easier for bad knees to climb. All my doors are also wider. No skinny doors to bathrooms. So much of this is just good common sense. I asked a good friend who’d remodeled their shower if they’d included a Grab Bar in the beautiful new shower and the reaction was like “No – why would I?” I didn’t push it but maybe I should have. I will next time. So much more I could say on this very important topic.
Well Deborah, you definitely understand this topic as you have had tons of teaching Aging in Place with CEUs, along with your own home, and your client’s homes. And yet, like my own professional experiences, it shocks me still that these concepts to preparat for our future is considered for “those people”!
I also believe we live in an age prejudicial culture that worships youth. Therefore, to admit that we are aging to the extent that we would prepare our homes for this life stage , is like turning a cruise ship with an oar!