Asheville aging in place a good option for seniors

The influx of new residents in moving to Asheville and surrounding areas of Western North Carolina includes a sizeable population of “baby boomers.” With this age group approaching senior citizen status, we thought we should take a look at the process of Asheville aging in place.

According to U.S. Census statistics, the majority of seniors aged 65 and older live at home, either with a spouse, or alone. In 2000 approximately 35 million Americans were over 65. By the year 2030 the number is expected to be more than double, representing almost 20% of the entire U.S. population. For many people, their quality of life declines as they get older. That’s why it’s important to design and implement an aging in place plan early and implement it over time, rather than wait for a time of pressing need.

What is aging in place? Beyond being a popular new catchphrase, it’s the term used to describe people who choose to stay in their own homes, for as long as they are able, during their senior years. It’s important to understand that aging in place is part of a balancing act in which elderly people can maintain their chosen quality of life and have many of their needs met, without the need to move into assisted living facilities or nursing homes. Here it’s important to make the distinction about what aging in place is not. It isn’t a cure-all for the many issues of aging. It is a system of maintaining a lifestyle that has been planned. Therefore, planning is a critical component of aging in place.

Aging brings changes

Changes in our bodies as we age underscore the need for advanced planning for aging in place. Here are some changes people may experience with aging.

• Decreased muscle strength/endurance
• Reduced or impaired mental capacities
• Decreased vision
• Hearing loss
• Increased risk of falls
• Increased susceptibility to illness
• Decreased mobility

These changes can impact a person’s activities of daily living, such as:

• Mobility in the home
• Hygiene (bathing/showering)
• Home maintenance/upkeep
• Driving and transportation
• Socializing
• Ensuring adequate nutrition, and more

Setting up your home

Asheville aging in place requires numerous choices. One of the most important is how you want your home to be set up to accommodate your changing needs. Here are some suggestions for your home to make aging in place easier. This list is by no means complete.

Appliances

• Install a microwave oven in the wall or on a countertop
• Use a side-by-side refrigerator/freezer to lessen the need for bending down
• Use a side-swing or wall mounted oven
• Install a pull-out spray faucet in the kitchen
• Put the washer and dryer on pedestals and use front-loading models
• Install a raised dishwasher with push-button controls
• Install induction cooktop stoves to lessen the risk of burns

Bathrooms

• 

  Walk-in tub with seat and swinging door. Photo by American Standard

  Put a fold-down seat in the shower

• Install an adjustable shower head with a six-foot hose
• Be sure there is a light on the ceiling in the shower stall
• Reinforce the walls around the tub, shower, and toilet for installation of grab bars
• Make sure the shower in the main bathroom is curbless and wide
• Put in a high toilet or one that is height adjustable
• Use toilet paper holders that can be changed with one hand
• Use slip-resistant flooring in the bathroom, tub, and shower
• Be sure there is a wheelchair accessible full bath on the main level
• If the budget will allow, bathtubs with built in seats and swinging doors can be installed

Bedrooms

• A main floor bedroom should include a master bath and laundry facilities
• Install a tall enough bed that kneeling is minimized
• Be sure the doors to the bedroom and master bath are wheelchair accessible, and be sure there is plenty of turnaround room for a wheelchair
• Keep the floor free of area rugs and tripping hazards
• Build in adequate windows for natural lighting
• Light switches should be accessible and easy to operate

Floor Plan

• If the home has more than one story, be sure there is a wheelchair accessible bedroom and bathroom on the bottom level
• Hallways should be wide, well-lit, and free of area rugs and floor runners
• No steps between rooms on the main level

Some considerations

If you are considering aging in place, discuss it with your family members. Would you want to downsize to a smaller house, or do you plan to stay in your longtime family home?

If you are still in your best earning years, start paying for the costlier home projects now. This may include roof assessment/replacement, upgrading or replacing your water heater, septic tank inspection and repair (if necessary), and switching to a riding lawn mower.

Now is the time to begin remodeling your home, not after your mobility becomes limited. Make your home age-friendly as part of a long-term, budgeted plan, rather than waiting for a crisis.

With proper planning Asheville aging in place can help you stay in your home for many more years to come.

Buying or selling a home?

Don’t sign on the dotted line without calling Asheville home inspector Peter Young. Click the link below to make an appointment.