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We talk a lot about downsizing, upsizing, and “right-sizing.” But I think the more useful question is: How well will your home support you 10–15 years down the road—and what are you willing to pay for that flexibility?
I’m planning a retirement build and I’m intentionally designing for aging in place—wide doors and hallways, single-floor living, an easy/step-free entrance, and a walk-in shower with a minimal curb (plus the usual goal: fewer maintenance headaches). The catch is that many of these features add cost up front, even if they reduce risk, hassle, and remodeling later.
A few questions to spark discussion:
If you’ve already downsized, built, remodeled, or helped someone transition later in life—what would you do the same, and what would you do differently?
When we were looking for a retirement home our realtor used to joke that I was convinced one of us would eventually be wheelchair bound. Instead we decided to build our retirement house. As retired Physical Therapists we really wanted to build a ranch but the neighborhood we chose did not have lots with enough acreage to build one, plus the cost of a ranch vs a colonial was much higher. When walking though the shell of another house in the neighborhood I realized that what was designated as a dining room could be my office (I was working from home at the time), and then in the future if necessary, converted into a bedroom. We installed double doors to the entrance of the study into the hallway and across the way is a 1/2 bath/laundry which with a stackable laundry could be modified with a walk in shower. The entire downstairs is open concept for which would allow for wheelchair usage, and as noted below we have a two car garage in which a ramp into the house could be installed. If our mobility were to decline but not to the point of utilizing a wheelchair we have the stair climbing chair in the basement from when my mother in law was living with us which could be installed.
All that being said in the nine years since we built the house we have decided when we turn 70 we will get on a waiting list for the CCRC my wife worked in before she retired. When an opening occurs we will consider moving.
We purchased a previously owned manufactured home in a resort community in 2023. It includes two bedrooms, two baths, office and a large entertainment room. (The office could be used as a sleeping room).
1. Everything is on one level, including the laundry.
2. The baths have seating in the showers and handholds (one has a shower and a soaking tub).
3. Rooms have wide, French doors. That includes the office and main bathroom which is sufficiently large to allow easy navigation with a wheelchair, were one required. The door swing inward and may be left open and not obstruct walking areas.
4. The kitchen and dining are adjacent to the main living area.
5. The kitchen is a galley style. It is wide and permits easy maneuvering.
6. Electrical switches are at easy height. Those in the kitchen are reachable if one were seated at a counter. The stone counters are 25 inches deep allowing reach to the entire surface. Material is easy cleaning.
7. Main living, dining, kitchen and bathroom have contiguous tile floor throughout. There are no narrow entries connecting them. No thresh-holds. We added several throw-rugs to the dining and living area.
8. The bedrooms are carpeted, but the floors are constructed in such a manner that there are no thresholds. The bedroom and office carpeting is on the same height as the adjacent tile areas to the bath and to the main living areas. The carpets are such that wheels roll easily in and out.
9. Closets have large rolling doors allowing full access to the entire interior.
10. The main entrance has a 3-inch step-up. A ramp could alleviate this.
11. The entertainment room has a door to a large patio area. The patio is at the same level as the entertainment room. There is a 1-inch threshold to prevent rain from flowing into the room.
We are in a mild climate with a large covered car-port. A resort pool is next door. The community includes a full-service restaurant. Golf carts make travel within the community easy.
Keep those down arrows coming!
Obviously, some think the house described isn’t suitable for the elderly.