Bungalow legs.

Up and down those stairs so many times a day- luckily they are not steed, not too high rise, and with a good banister (which I don't use now). Easy to put on a stairlift or vertical lift. No intention of moving for a very long time, stairs or not, we will find ways to deal with anything thrown at us.

I am not sure I agree Callistemon, I think it better live as you wish regardless and not draw in your wings until absolutely essential, but always bear in mind that you may have to do that one day.

We live in a house that is utterly impractical if either of us had any serious disability, but we are OK at the moment and intend to stay here as long as we can, 25 years to date. But we also know that at some time a move may well be necessary and always bear this in mind. We have no intention of struggling to live in an unsuitable house, should that situation arise.

I think this discussion has to come from an age point of view

I agree.
None of us know what's around the corner and it's a good idea to future-proof in whatever ways we think best.

I live in a ground floor flat and have slightly arthritic knees, but make sure to include steps in my daily walk - usually up and down about 30 per day, which is better than nothing.

I think this discussion has to come from an age point of view. For instance no matter how fit you are, you are never going to be able to do at 76years of age. What you did at 66 years of age. I also think that like children have spurts in grown, so older people have. Spurts, or spells in life were they become more immobile. IE. I have felt that I became less agile from age 70 years to 75 years. More than I did from age 60 years to 70 years. We went to Australia for a month when we were 71 years. Now at 76 years we are looking for a bungalow. The stairs are a real problem, but my motto is move whilst you are able. Everyone thinks differently.

First of all, I have never heard of Bungalow legs before, I like it.

I live in a dorma bungalow, there are 2 bedrooms upstairs and 1 bedroom with en-suite downstairs, the main bathroom is also downstairs.

The stairs are wood. I have mobility problems and view the stairs as a blessing actually. I see them in a positive way, that I am getting exercise even if it is just mounting them at bedtime.

I have a cut off time ( 7.30pm ) for consuming liquid which presents me up and down the stairs during the night ( I don't look on THAT in a positive way at all hahahah )

We live I. A bungalow and I am unsteady using stairs outside. But I love my bungalow.

I live in an ‘upside down’ house (living rooms and kitchen upstairs and bedrooms and bathrooms downstairs). I also have steps to my garden, car and waste bins.

I had a knee replacement four years ago and credit my stairs with helping a quick and complete recovery. Having the living rooms upstairs, it is amazing how much more often the stairs are used.

I moved to my bungalow 8 years ago from s terraced house with very steep stairs. I’m waiting for a hip replacement and I’m so glad I don’t have to negotiate those stairs, I’d probably have to come down on my BTM and my slow ascent might require Tena ladies ?

I'd say that if you're lucky enough to not have joint (or other) issues, stairs won't be a problem even if your home is single story. If you have mobility issues, then stairs will be a challenge, even if you have plenty of them to 'practice' on!

NannaPat
That's the most sensible remark I've read on this thread.

kircubbin I can sympathise - we never know when mobility issues may suddenly come upon us or if we might injure ourselves, making stairs difficult to negotiate.
We do have stairs but I'm thankful for our downstairs loo.

Yes, I've heard of "bungalow legs" but it's not always a case of use it or lose it.

I recall when a Physiotherapist gave a talk to a ladies evening. “Ladies”, she said, “don’t move to a bungalow unless you really, really have to - keep your stairs ”.

And when you suddenly have to then it's not always easy to find somewhere suitable or even have the energy to deal with a move and all it entails.

Just to add that at the start of the first lockdown when DH and I went for a daily walk, one route we took had a flight of 54 steps. It used to take me several minutes to climb them with a couple of stops in between. At the start of this year, I could do it in 56 seconds and no stopping.

I've lived in a bungalow for almost 49 years. My legs are fine albeit fat and a bit knobbly.
Could be something to do with living on a very steep hill I guess. ?

I recall when a Physiotherapist gave a talk to a ladies evening. “Ladies”, she said, “don’t move to a bungalow unless you really, really have to - keep your stairs”.

I'm 71,live in a council house,so could downsize to a bungalow,but don't really want one.I like having stairs,I'm sure using stairs is good exercise.

Oh I’ve never heard of this, I will make sure when we decide to downsize it will be to a house, great post

I’m a retired physiotherapist and used to work with the elderly in the community. There is most definitely such a thing as bungalow legs , and had to work hard with some patients to keep up the strength in their legs and ankles , which goi g up and down stairs will do . We use these muscles , not just for stairs but for mobility, kerbs , chair transfers etc , so these will deteriorate if leg muscles get weaker .

I live in what is essentially a bungalow - but the master suite is upstairs. So far, at 81, I have no problem with going up and down the rather steep and shallow-stepped stairs, and like others I never push myself up with my hands on the arms of chairs when I rise - I've been making a point of that for the past 20 years. In my 40s and 50s I used to go to step classes and was amazed, after I moved to a place where there were no step classes, how strong they had made my thigh muscles! I haven't lost that yet either. I also do a lot of tai chi which keeps me supple and aware of how I'm moving. Sooner or later, though, I'm pretty sure weakness/infirmity will strike, as it does us all eventually, but I intend to give them a good run for their money! Stairs or no stairs, I don't think it matters so long as you are mindful and compensate. One advantage of no stairs is that you can't fall down them!!

I've never heard the expression 'bungalow legs'!
DH and I eventually moved into a bungalow, we preferred them, from a house. We lived in it for 20 years but after he died I wanted a more manageable garden. There was no bungalow suitable to buy so I settled for a house. I made sure I bought one with a straight flight of stairs which would make any eventual stair lift much cheaper. After I moved in all the running up and down stairs made my knees very painful and I began to have doubts about the wisdom of my choice. It wasn't the joints that were suffering but the cartilage/ligaments. I minimised using the stairs, the pains went away and within 6 months I realised I'd developed leg muscles of steel!
So if you can manage stairs, they're good exercise. I've also read that it's good cardiac exercise.
I still very much prefer bungalows though but am not contemplating the stressful upheaval of moving again.

I normally manage the stairs fine but my knees are aching at the moment due to a visit to Ely cathedral, I paid extra to visit the stained glass exhibition and didn't realise that it would involve going up stone circular staircase nearly to the top. Big mistake.
Our daughter is staying with us at the moment after a nasty fall that broke multiple bones in her ankle. She's being very brave but in a lot of pain.
We've had stair lift repaired for her. Luckily we never did get rid of a lot of the stuff that we had fitted for late mother in law.
Normally I go up stairs fine but use my arms to haul myself up a lot. Now I'm going up and down a lot and usually have both hands full so more weight on our knee.
But still I can't bear to wait for the stair lift, it's too slow.
So I persevere.

When had a knee problem my physio taught me to do squats. They are great for maintaining muscle strength. But you need to do them properly. I hold onto the end of my bed and go down. The physio tried to get me to do them against a wall with a ball behind me, but I didn't feel safe so he told me to hold onto something. The important thing is never to let your knees go further forward than the end of your toes .
There's more here
sixtyandme.com/the-squat-can-you-do-it-after-60/

Actually I lived in a bungalow for 5 years when we moved to Scotland. With 3 small DC it was very much easier than having to run up and downstairs all the time. The garden was accessable too and I missed the convenience when we moved here. But who knows how my knees would be now had we stayed there.?
It had a loft conversion, 2 bedrooms upstairs, so still had stairs to sweep.

Biglouis and others: have you considered using a rucksack to carry thing in? I know you would need reasonable shoulder joints to be able to use one but it is a very safe and stable way to carry items, especially anything slightly heavy. Just a thought...

the problem I have is going up and down the stairs when I am carrying things

This is a major problem for those of us who live alone. I need one hand on the bannister and the other on my stick. So I put the item into a bag with long handles and put it around my neck. Obviously I cant carry anything heavy like that so it has to wait until my nephew comes.

Noone has mentioned the joys of not having stairs to carpet and clean. Bungalows aren't practical for families, I've found, but ideal for the retired.

I had one knee joint replaced 8 years ago and the OT who did my pre-op assessment said in reply to my comment that I had no downstairs loo “that’s good stairs are good for knees “. I found initially leaving it to the last minute wasn’t a good idea but otherwise okay. Eight years on my other knee needs replacing and it is having a real impact on my mobility due to pain and the fact that it is now very distorted. I also now have severe sciatica and this aggravates the arthritis and visa versa. A catch 22 situation. I would love a downstairs loo but need to go upstairs to bed. I don’t like sleeping on the ground floor in a flat or a bungalow. I am presently waiting to have an extra bannister rail fitted and rails out of the back door to the patio and on the steps from the patio to the lawn. Even with my stick I am safer with something to hold onto with my other hand. Going upstairs at home I have one hand on the bannister and the other on a stair. Coming down is easier but both are painful but still doable. Hopefully when my other knee has been replaced things will be easier as the sciatica will hopefully go away once I am not walking so awkwardly. Meanwhile my daughter has a downstairs downstairs loo when I’m doing grandchildren care. I think if you’re pre-disposed to mobility problems you will probably get them anyway. On the other hand my mother was a classic example of use it or lose it as it hurt to try! So I try because I don’t want to lose it if I don’t have to.