“I like what assisted living communities in Chester County have to offer, but I just love my home.” If you agree with this sentiment, you’re not alone. A Philips survey revealed that 9 out of 10 baby boomers share this preference, opting to remain in the familiar surroundings they’ve cherished for years. But while east or west, your home in Chester will always be best, aging brings physical changes that may impact one’s mobility and daily routines.
How can boomers maintain their cherished independence and thrive in their beloved homes? We’ve explored the topic comprehensively and compiled handy tips on how aging Chester County homeowners can keep living at home in this article.
Get Home Renovations Before Retirement
As your retirement clock keeps ticking, considering home renovations becomes a prudent step toward maintaining a comfortable, safe living environment. Why, you might wonder? Well, as time passes, your home in Chester County may require adjustments to accommodate the mobility and lifestyle changes brought about by aging. Handling home renovations before you officially retire lets you proactively address potential challenges and create a living space that seamlessly supports your evolving needs during your golden age.
Depending on your current health and well-being, these renovations can encompass a variety of enhancements. However, regardless of the renovation projects you embark on, ensure you work towards safeguarding your accessibility to keep living at home comfortably. This might involve installing ramps or handrails to assist with mobility, especially if navigating stairs becomes more challenging. Similarly, bathroom modifications, such as grab bars and walk-in showers, can significantly enhance safety and convenience.
Consider incorporating age-friendly features into your home’s design. Open floor plans, lever-style door handles, and well-lit spaces can make daily activities more manageable. Updating your home’s lighting and flooring can create a more comfortable living environment. Collaborate with experienced home renovators for remodeling projects tailored to your needs and preferences.
Install a Long Lasting Roof
As you continue to age, the ability to manage maintenance tasks, particularly those that are physically demanding or potentially hazardous, can gradually diminish. Therefore, you must invest in a long-lasting roof to live comfortably and independently at home during your golden age. Replacing an old roof with a new, durable one offers a comprehensive shield against the unpredictable weather that Chester County can often present.
Furthermore, the benefits of a modern roof, crafted from contemporary materials, extend beyond mere protection. Enhanced insulation properties enable your living space to regulate indoor temperatures efficiently, effectively curbing the need for excessive heating or cooling and thereby trimming energy costs. This aspect becomes increasingly vital as you seek to maintain your home’s cozy ambiance without undue financial strain.
Moreover, a durable roof augments your home’s overall value and aesthetics. Whether you stay in your beloved residence or consider selling it down the line, a well-maintained roof enhances curb appeal and boosts your property’s market value. Should you choose the proactive path of installing a new roof before retirement, engage the services of a reputable residential roofing service to ensure your roof installation is correct and well-maintained over time.
Take Care of Essential Home Projects Early
Handling essential home projects before or early on your retirement in Chester County lets you create an environment tailored to your specific needs and preferences as you age. It also enhances your safety and promotes comfort throughout your boomer years. For instance, lowering countertops and installing pull-out shelves in your kitchen can make meal preparation and cooking incredibly manageable as you age.
Also, enlisting stucco companies to repair and maintain your exterior will prevent problems like mold growth, consequently preventing structural damage that would have otherwise compromised the integrity of your home and safety, leaving you with more problems during retirement.
In addition to the kitchen and stucco maintenance, here are several other essential home projects aging Chester County homeowners should consider tackling to keep living at home:
- Flooring improvements: Replacing or modifying flooring with slip-resistant surfaces like hardwood or vinyl prevents accidents and offers a more comfortable walking experience when mobility is limited in your boomer years.
- Lighting: Upgrading to better lighting early in retirement facilitates a safer living environment by preventing falls.
- Heating and cooling: Replacing an older HVAC with a new one will provide a comfortable living environment year around.
Prioritize Safety For DIY Home Repairs
As we enter our later years, our bodies naturally become more vulnerable, making us susceptible to accidents and injuries. Therefore, it’s important to prioritize safety during DIY projects. Failing to do so can lead to serious accidents that jeopardize a Boomer’s well-being and result in long recovery times, forcing them to sign up for assisted living. For instance, a slip and fall accident during a DIY home repair might leave you with a broken spine forcing you to move into an assisted living facility which may not align with your desire to age gracefully and keep living at home.
How can you ensure safety during DIY home repairs? Firstly, always enlist local scaffold solutions when working at heights. Scaffolds provide a stable platform that reduces the risk of falls, especially when painting walls, cleaning windows, or repairing elevated areas.
While at it, always maintain proper lighting in every home repair project you handle. Good illumination makes potential hazards visible, minimizing the chances of tripping or stumbling over objects. Also, always rock safety gear, such as non-slip shoes, gloves, and protective eyewear, to reduce the likelihood of accidents and injuries during DIY tasks.
Install Low-Maintenance Finishes
As we journey through our golden years, it’s no secret that certain tasks become more challenging, especially home maintenance-related tasks. This is where the wisdom of investing in low-maintenance finishes truly shines. By installing low-maintenance finishes, such as durable window coverings, aging homeowners in Chester County can ensure their home retains its comfort and aesthetic appeal without demanding excessive time and effort.
The reduced maintenance requirements of these finishes translate into more time to enjoy life’s pleasures and less time spent on arduous tasks. It also means you can keep living at home because you can maintain it instead of relying on your loved ones who have their own homes and lives to keep up with. Besides easy-to-clean window covering, here are suggestions for other low-maintenance finishes seniors can invest in:
- Stain-resistant flooring like porcelain tile and luxury vinyl to reduce the need for intensive cleaning.
- Durable countertop surfaces to minimize constant maintenance.
- Non-fading exterior paint to ensure your home’s façade in Chester County retains its vibrancy without regular touchups.
Ensure the Property is Structurally Sound
Ensuring that a property is structurally sound is essential for seniors who want to continue living comfortably and safely in their homes. A structurally sound property means fewer chances of structural issues like cracks, settling, or shifting, thus ensuring an aging homeowner’s overall safety. It also adds to comfort since they can move around confidently without worrying about potential hazards caused by structural weaknesses.
Moreover, a structurally-sound home maintains the overall integrity of the property. It prevents issues like uneven floors or sagging ceilings, which can cause inconvenience and discomfort, particularly for seniors with mobility changes.
Beyond personal safety and physical property integrity, a property’s solid foundation ensures you as a senior have a home to keep living in until sunset. Additionally, prioritizing a home’s foundation lets you avoid major repairs’ financial burden and stress.
To maintain the structural integrity, and keep living at home, seniors in Chester County should schedule regular professional inspections to identify any signs of foundation issues early on. If problems are identified, they should enlist these professionals to conduct foundation repair, as delaying leads to further deterioration and more expensive fixes.
Make Room for Long-Term Care Equipment
Long-term care equipment refers to specialized devices or furniture designed to help seniors with daily activities and mobility needs as they age. Prioritizing the integration of such equipment into a senior home lets them age in place gracefully and enjoy their golden years. How? With access to such equipment, aging homeowners in Chester County can maintain autonomy and stay in their home’s familiar and beloved surroundings independently.
For instance, lift chairs are motorized and can gently lift and tilt, enabling a boomer to seamlessly and safely transition from seated to standing without help. Such a chair can be incredibly beneficial for aging homeowners in Chester County with mobility issues, joint pain, or muscle weakness, as it reduces bodily strain and minimizes the risk of falls or injuries.
Additionally, access to this equipment promotes a sense of independence and dignity among boomers as it lets them continue engaging in their routines, interact with their environment, and perform tasks without constant assistance.
Install a Backup Generator
If you’re an aging homeowner wishing to keep living at home, consider installing a backup generator. Having one means the electrical devices you rely on for your well-being, such as HVAC, continue functioning even during power outages. This contributes to your safety and allows you to maintain a suitable living environment without disruptions.
A backup generator also lets you maintain your independence and autonomy by enabling you to manage your home and daily activities without relying on external assistance. For instance, with a backup power source in place, you can continue using lighting, appliances, and other necessary devices without leaving your home or contacting anyone for help.
Also, most boomers in Chester County have health requirements or medical devices that need a consistent power supply. If you’re one, having a backup generator prevents risks associated with power loss that could affect medical equipment, medications, or communication with healthcare providers. More importantly, having an electrician install a backup generator in your senior home provides peace of mind knowing you won’t be left in the dark or unable to address emergencies.
Get to Know the Local Home Service Professionals
Building connections with local home service professionals lets you ensure your home’s system and components receive regular maintenance and prompt repairs when needed. This proactive approach helps prevent significant issues from arising, avoiding disruptions to your daily life while promoting the longevity of your property. The result? You can keep living at home longer.
Also note that, beyond their services, home service professionals boast a wealth of knowledge on local conditions, regulations, and best practices. Establishing a relationship with such professionals lets you tap into their expertise on home improvements energy-efficient upgrades, and safety enhancements tailored to your property’s unique requirements.
And when unexpected home emergencies occur, a network of trusted local professionals means seamless access to the help you need, minimizing the impact of such situations on your daily routine. That said, here are three types of local home service professionals you should always have in your network as an aging homeowner in Chester County:
- Plumber: These professionals can address various plumbing issues, from leaky faucets to more complex pipe repairs. Having them in your network means quick responses and easy access to various solutions during plumbing emergencies.
- Electrician: A reliable electrician can help you maintain a well-lit, functional, and safe home electrical system.
- Septic Company: Septic tanks require regular pumping and maintenance to prevent overflows, backups, and system failures. Building a relationship with a reliable septic tank pumping service in Chester County ensures your septic system is regularly cleaned and maintained, reducing the risk of costly and disruptive issues.
Consider Hiring a Handyman More Often
For boomers aiming to maintain their independence and keep living at home in Chester County, using handyman services can offer many advantages. For instance, having a handyman at your beck and call means access to quick and efficient solutions to various home issues, whether it’s fixing a leaky faucet, repairing a broken step, or addressing electrical problems. This timely assistance ensures that the home remains safe and comfortable, reducing the risk of accidents.
Additionally, most handypersons in Chester offer tailored solutions based on the homeowner’s specific needs. They can adapt their skills to address unique challenges and preferences, ensuring the home remains functional and suits your Golden Age lifestyle.
Conclusion
In the picturesque landscape of Chester County, aging homeowners have the golden opportunity to cherish the comforts and keep living at home while embracing the changes that come with time. By focusing on key aspects such as home renovations, safety enhancements, and reliable local services, you can preserve your cherished space and foster an environment where independence and security coexist harmoniously, making aging in place seamless.