One of the great debates for people who are entering retirement is “Should we move or remodel our current home?”
Here are three resources that can help with this decision.
1. Harvard University wrote “Housing America’s Older Adults: Meeting the Needs of an Aging Population.”
Harvard came up with a list to help identify the safest accessible homes.
The top four on the list are:
A no-step entry
Single floor living
Switches and outlets reachable at any height
Lever-style door and faucet handles
Ninety percent of all existing homes have at least one of these. Only 57 percent have more than one. For more information you can visit their site www.jchs.harvard.edu and highlight “Research.”
2. The National Association of Home Builders has a checklist with 100 suggestions to help homeowners live safely, independently, and comfortably in their own home.
Their list includes:
Low-maintenance yard
Wide hallways and doors
Bright lighting
The complete list can be found at www.nahb.org
3. AARP has a report on how to create a “lifelong home.”
Regardless of your age or ability, these lists can be helpful as you consider a remodel or a move. Go online and find out how “HomeFit” your home is.
