Preparing yourself and your home for the future can seem like a vague objective. If you intend to move out of your current home at some point, particularly if you plan to retire and live somewhere new, then future-proofing your home is less of a priority. However, if you intend to stay where you live now and enjoy your home until your senior years, then it might be worth making your home as comfortable and well-suited to your needs as possible. Here you will find a few tips on how to make your home a better environment for you and your family as you grow.
Who Should Consider Future-Proofing Their Home?
Unless you plan to move in the very near future or you don’t own your property, future-proofing your home is a great idea. There are several ways to do this, depending upon your and your family’s intentions. For example, if you are expecting to start a family and have young children on the way, then future-proofing will most likely take the form of preparing a nursery or making sure that your home is safe for an infant. If you are older, future-proofing your home means anticipating your future needs and adapting your home to them.
Why Age in Place?
Instead of going through the upheaval of packing all your belongings and downsizing or moving to a retirement village, staying in your own home can sometimes be the best option for people as they grow older. The familiar surroundings can be much more appealing than the prospect of finding somewhere new to live, even if that place is better suited to your needs. Choosing to age in place means making your home a better place to enjoy your senior years.
Install Ramps
Many homes have at least one or two doorsteps leading into the property. These can be incredibly obstructive for people who have mobility issues, which become more likely with age. Installing a ramp can give you the option and make entering and exiting your home so much easier.
Adapt Your Rooms
Since getting around tends to become harder as people age, it can be a good idea to adapt rooms in your home to prepare for this possibility. For example, mobility bathrooms or kitchen adjustments can improve the overall comfort and accessibility of your home. This can be particularly useful if you or a family member already have an injury or illness that is likely to cause mobility issues with age.
Rethink the Stairs
If you live in a home with stairs, you may find that as you age, these will become a nuisance. However, if you don’t want to move, then there are a few ways you can overcome this. Stairlifts and elevators can make it much easier to travel between levels in your house, especially if you experience mobility issues.
Hopefully, this brief list has inspired you about how you can transform your home and make it suitable for the future of you and your family.