You shouldn't have to move out of your house just because you're getting older.
Most people want to stay in their homes for as long as they can. It's where they've lived their life, and friends are still nearby.
But older people often tell me they must move because arthritis has affected their mobility. Or they don't have room to use a walker or wheelchair. Or their vision is getting worse and they don't feel confident living independently.
Moving isn't the only option, however. If people want to stay in their homes, there are renovations that can be done to help them do that safely.
Renovate to stay
Most homes can be adapted to improve accessibility. While not all renovation jobs are big, certain ones will cost more than others. It's something to consider if you're feeling you have to leave. Retrofitting is always more expensive than designing properly the first time, but if you're in a home you love, it might be worth it.
A bungalow is the best, most energy-efficient design, and the best for aging. As people get older, it's more difficult to manage stairs, so if you can adapt the main level of your bungalow to satisfy your needs, you can remain there.
If your home is multistoried, why not consider modifications - such as moving a second-floor laundry room to the main level - that will make life easier? I'm not a fan of laundry rooms on second floors because of the risk of leaks and overflows, and because most homes - especially newer homes built to minimum code - aren't structured well enough to support laundry rooms in that area. But if it's done right, it's worth considering.Falls are the No. 1 cause of home injuries, so it makes sense to remove any obstacles, such as uneven floors and thresholds. Change the flooring to non-skid hardwood and make sure transitions between different rooms are smooth to help prevent tripping.
You may also want to widen doorways to accommodate wheelchairs, and replace doorknobs with lever handles. Add sturdy handrails on both sides of stairs, or along a hallway.
Bathrooms
There are lots of changes your contractor can make to a bathroom - some as simple as adding grab bars properly secured to studs, installing a new toilet with a higher seat or replacing taps with levers.
Or what about switching to a walk-in bathtub with a door and a bench? Or building a roll-in shower with a bench and hand-held attachment? Or expanding and redesigning the room so it has enough turnaround space for a walker or wheelchair?
Kitchens
You need to keep items within reach, so think about having pullout shelves, lazy Susans or flexible shelving in your cabinets. Replace knobs with pulls and add undercabinet lighting. Install a side-by-side refrigerator, and a cook top with front controls to avoid having to reach across burners.
Call an electrician
In general, lighting should be increased throughout the house. Increase lighting in stairways, and improve specific task lighting over sinks and work areas. Rocker switches are easier to use than traditional ones.
What about lowering those switches to accommodate wheelchairs? Or raising electrical outlets to reduce bending?
Make sure there are enough working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and think about adding some telephone jacks and extra phones so no one has to risk falling by running into another room to answer the phone.
Some people get nervous when they hear talk about grab bars and accessible bathrooms. No one wants their home to look like a hospital - and that's not what I'm talking about. Such a home doesn't have to look bad or institutional.
People might be concerned that these sorts of modifications will affect their home's resale value when it finally does become time to leave.
It depends on how well the renovations were done, but hardwood floors, lever-style handles and a more open-concept layout are usually good selling features.
Anyway, isn't the quality of life in your home what matters most?
If you want to stay there for as long as possible, then that's more important than resale value.
You need to do your homework: Consider what you want most, what will improve your quality of life and allow you to live independently in your home as long as possible.
Make sure you hire a professional contractor who is experienced in retrofitting for accessibility.
Ask the right questions to ensure he understands what your problems and concerns are. Maybe he can come up with solutions you hadn't thought of.
Mike Holmes is the host of Holmes on Homes on HGTV. E-mail Mike at mikeholmes@holmesonhomes.com or go to www.holmesonhomes.com .