Future Proofing (is this a solution?)

I have not reached a point where this is relevant - but of course cannot know about the future. But someone who ran a home for old people said to me that a good alternative to going into a home was - if your house has the space - to have a live in carer or carers. So you could convert your upstairs for a carer or carers should you ever need to and if you can afford it. Free accommodation is a good offer for would be carers - and of course you'd need excellent legal advice and other advice too - but if it works, it could be really good. The man who advised me said this would be better than moving to a home - but added that of course getting the right people to live in and provide care would be critical. Just a thought! It would need lots more thought if you ever went down that route - but maybe worth considering.

You’re right re ‘bungalow knees’, *notspaghetti’. In their mid 60s my folks moved to a bungalow - not because they particularly wanted one, but because it was all they could find that ticked most boxes in their chosen area.

After 3 years they decided they didn’t like the area after all, though, and moved again, to a house. And promptly found that lack of stairs had markedly affected their fitness. It did of course eventually return, and my mother was still well able to manage stairs when she finally moved to a care home at 89.

It’s a different matter of course for anyone who already has mobility problems - my parents were lucky enough not to.

So if you stay in a house because you are worried about getting ‘bungalow legs’, then end up having to put a stair lift in eventually anyway….

As we get older then 'future proofing' our homes should be on everyone list.

This needs to carried out as suits each persons circumstances, both in terms of social life, family, needs, finances.

Whether moving to a smaller property or changing their existing homes is a personal choice. However, the idea of changing to live only downstairs in a largeish house will still mean all the expenses of maintaining that property, and also means that people have the spare cash to do those alterations.

As I came towards the end of my seventies, I lived in a mid terrace 1930 type house. Had moved there only sixteen years earlier from family house, thinking it would 'see me out'!!! But by then the stairs were a problem and would not be totally alleviated by a stair lift. If there had been room for a through the ceiling lift that would have been fine, but there was not. Also did not have that much spare cash. Was paying for a gardener.

For me, it was so much better selling this house - (and it is good to know that a whole family now live there), and move into a lovely flat. Gave me some cash to carry out work on that flat, and I cannot explain how much I love living on one level. Yes, I have to pay my service/maintenance charge, but that is around the amount I would probably be having to allocate annually upkeep for a house. My running costs are so much less in a flat than in a house. No gardener to pay to keep my largish patio balcony looking nice.

I moved 160 miles away, gave me the opportunity to meet new people and joining u3a in my new home town opened up many new social opportunities. less than a quarter of a mile from the beach, less than that to two theatres, cinemas, library, High Street. Buses stop outside the flats, Pharmacies and Gp and Hospital all within easy reach.

It really is each to their own. But for those who are worried about moving out of their known area in which to live, I can assure you that it can turn out brilliantly.

Apart from gardens, not sure why people concentrate so much on wanting a bungalow. These carry all the maintenance problems of a house. As for so-called 'bungalow legs', my flat is on the first floor. When I can I use the two short flights of stairs, when I have something heavy or am feeling particularly tired I use the lift. I also very much appreciate the added security of flat living. Can leave windows open all the time, even when I am out. Love it.!!!

Many years ago after an accident and surgery, I ended up raising the front path so that I could get in and out of my house easily. There is insufficient space in the downstairs loo for a shower but I have had a stairlift since the same accident.

It was like the sinking of the Titanic so the bath was removed and I had a shower fitted. It has recently been replaced.

My rear small garden is paved with raised flower beds. I cannot fit a bed in comfortably downstairs but I have my stairlift. Recent new central heating boiler so no likelihood of litres of water gushing from the loft.

The only thing I cannot change is the expanse of grass I own at the side and front so I pay to have that grass cut as and when.

My present house should "see me out" with the odd replacement of white goods.

No carpets, all hard flooring with the odd rug.

Id like to move to a flat when the time is right. I assume that if I can't manage a house then I won't be able to manage a garden, garage etc. I'd still be in the City centre, which I love. I agree that bungalows are too pricey. I wouldn't want to spend on alterations as I'd rather have money to enjoy life with.

We almost moved two years ago but couldn't find a suitable house we both liked. I'm so glad we didn't, I love our house, although it's too big for us we can just shut part of it off when we are on our own but still have lots of room for visitors. We've done some upgrading of bathrooms so there are big walk in showers and non slip floors. We've got a downstairs bedroom and bathroom but there's room to fit a lift if we want to. For me, being part of a community and having friends near was very important and as long as we can afford the running costs, we are going to stay put.

All I can add to this interesting discussion is that if you're thinking of down-sizing/moving, do it while you're still physically and mentally able to cope with it. It's stressful at any stage of life, but the levels increase with age. We rather drifted into it about 12 years ago now, when we were both 63, and DH's Mum sadly passed away at the age of 89. She left us her detached bungalow, and although we hadn't planned on it, we sold our draughty barn of a Victorian, 3 storey terrace, and made the move. Spent a lot on a comprehensive upgrade, but we've never looked back, plus as it was only 6 miles away from our original home we were able to keep- our circle of close friends. Neither of us could cope with such a move now, so if you're giving it some thought, don't dilly dally..

To purchase a new bungalow (we dont want to do a refurb) would mean perhaps a move more than 60 miles away from our little family (might see more of them if we lived at the coast rather than the current half hour lol).
60 miles isn't that far really, depending on holiday traffic of course.

They might come to stay rather than popping over.

VioletSky

If I had the opportunity to move to the coast I would take it!

Yes it would make a lovely day out for visiting family

We used to live near the coast and I sometimes wish we'd moved back as soon as we retired.
I do miss the sea.

Oh gosh, this thread resonates with me so much.
We are both in our 80's and have tried to make our home as comfortable as possible.
I often think about moving to a new flat/apartment, but here we would gain nothing by moving. It is so expensive.
So, the garden was made easier to manage, and volunteer gardeners whizz in and weed and tidy.
A stair lift was installed when I was diagnosed with bone cancer.
We had a downstairs loo put in years ago, and it is so useful. I am pondering whether to extend it and have a shower room.
Bedrooms were decorated 3/4 years ago and this year hall/ stairs/ landing and everything else downstairs was done.
We have lovely neighbours and it is an easy drive to town.
So, at the moment I think we are staying.

When we extended our kitchen dining room ten years ago, I had the garage turned into a decent size utility with a walk in shower, sink and toilet room. I had three large, hairy dogs at the time so a door from the side of the house into the utility and shower room meant they stayed in that area till dry and clean.
I realised I’d also future proofed as we could live downstairs if need be. There are two sitting rooms so one could be a bedroom
Bungalows in our area sell at a premium and quickly

I didn't want to move, so when I was forced to retire on ill health, I extended my downstairs loo and made it into an accessible shower room. I also added a utility room, which now houses the freezer, tumble drier and washing machine. No more going out to the garage in bad weather.
I fell down the front steps years ago, going to the garage freezer. I broke two vertebrae. We changed the front steps to make them safer and added handrails.

The last thing we did was change our dangerous wooden decking to composite, because I was always slipping.

It was expensive, but not as expensive as moving and I have great neighbours, so want to stay put.

My dining room can be turned into a bedroom, so I'm set until I leave in my coffin!

If you can put in a lift, as you say, then I would get that done and make sure everything (bathroom/doorways etc) are all accessible now. Also go through belongings and par down on everything.

It is a really good and sensible thing to do. Good luck

Thank you everyone, its really good to get others perspective on things.

I understand your predicament.
My house is huge and the garden huger.
Every week especially in Summer I dream of a little cottage by the sea.
I stop my self when I hear the voice of reason in my head.
My house has an ideal location - that's why we bought it 43 yes ago but although I share it there is a granny annex and I have a studio here which I share with 6 other artists I know I cannot continue indefinitely.
I had a backdated bill for council tax yesterday for almost £1000 because I have lost my single person's reduction.
The council tax is very high. Running costs are enormous.
I employ a gardener to help out.

I thought of moving into the annexe and mothballing the house but that didn't seem right when people need accommodation.

I have had an architect to see if it could be converted into flats and that could be an option but I don't think I would want to live in one

There is nothing nearby which I could imagine living in.

If I had the opportunity to move to the coast I would take it!

Yes it would make a lovely day out for visiting family

Sorry
KateyKrunch

The sun is on the screen!

We've thought of this KsteyKrunch, in desperation at the lack of suitable properties nearby.

However, the Council tax and bills would remain high and we'd need a cleaner and gardener if we stay.

We are still here because - location, location, location and layout, layout, layout are all unsuitable in anything that comes on the market

We plan to stay here, if we can, with help. We are saving diligently for a care home, in case we can't stay here.

Our home is old (my grandparents and their grandparent before that), everything we need on one level. We'd not use the upper floor, just shut the door to the stairs (just bedrooms, bath, storage).

Garage is on same level, no steps or bad weather worries.

We've only wood floors, no problem there. The main bathroom was changed out from tub to walk in shower years ago - good for after both of our knee surgery and his back surgery.

We've a big sunny room (conservatory like) all along the backside/garden - with fireplaces at each end. Happy place for old people.

The heat, aircon, and electrics are modern. Our appliances are newer, everything works well - our old home will see us out.

I thought of downsizing to a Bungalow. But the costs and the hassle involved , has put me off. I like where I live, I like my neighbours. If, at a later stage , I found the stairs too much I will have a stair lift installed. But as my dear 85 year old friend said, when we suggested she moves to a bungalow, the only exercise she had, was climbing up and down the stairs.

I intend to do this when I am ready.
I already have a shower room downstairs, put in when we had two teenagers in the house but refurbished a few years ago.
I have a good sized dining room which I have not used since my H died.
It just needs emptying of furniture and decorating.
I am not ready yet but I think it will only take weeks to convert when I am.

Definitely food for thought. We currently live in a bungalow which is or could be made totally accessible once you’re inside. I think it would be a huge job to make it accessible once neither of us drives and if one of us becomes disabled. ( We didn’t set out to buy a bungalow so access was not part of our thinking, but the chap who sold it to us was moving for that very reason.)

My 99 year old mother-in-law bought her current 3 bed house at 96 in order to be closer to us.
It does have the possibility of bringing a bed downstairs or putting in a stairlift.

She says she doesn't want a bungalow as she would get "bungalow knees" - which I discovered via a doctor friend is a thing (use it or lose it).

I'd make sure the roof, electrics, plumbing etc is sound. Decorating on rotation maybe? One room this year and another next? Make the garden as easy as possible - raised beds and terraces perhaps?
My mother-in-law is talking about installing a simple watering system this year.
If happy there why not stay?

I used to think the answer was to move. I don't think like this now.

That’s what I intend doing when and if I get to the stage of not managing stairs turn my downstairs into a bungalow I don’t want to move