You may be thinking "I have my forever home — I just finished paying off the mortgage!" Fair enough. But the home that is perfect today may not be perfect as you grow older. So whether you already own your home or you plan to purchase a home for the first time, you may want to consider how to ensure you can fully enjoy it well into your old age. It's no fun to think of ourselves as less than fully capable as we are today, but having seen two parents struggle with managing their homes, it's a decent use of your time now.

1
Understand what your home actually costs you
Bank accounts are assets. A house is an asset too, but it's only a liquid asset if you plan on selling it. And unlike bank accounts, houses are also liabilities — they need constant upkeep and any major repair can be a real challenge when you are eventually living on a fixed income. Women often seek to keep homes during a divorce but that can be a financial mistake in the long term. Keep the full cost of your home in mind as you plan your financial future.
2
First-floor bedroom flexibility
Having a home that either has a first-floor bedroom or at least the flexibility to create one ensures you will never be limited because you have a second floor. And that means the option for a full bath on your first floor too — a shower on the second floor is only useful if you can get to it.
3
Public transportation access
Living somewhere that offers at least the option of accessible public transportation helps you maintain your independence and, perhaps just as importantly, your ability to socialize and stay engaged in your community. At some point, most people struggle with safe driving — thinking about what your alternatives are makes sense.
4
Assess your access and circulation
Look around your house and think about how you will get in and around it. Are there stairs leading up to your entry? Are the halls and doorways wide enough to accommodate a walker or a wheelchair? Do you have a bathroom that will accommodate a walk-in shower if it's needed?
5
Laundry location
Consider where your laundry is. If it's in a basement now, can part of your kitchen be converted to accommodate a washer and dryer?
6
Controls and technology
How do you control your lights? Your heat and air conditioning? Hand mobility can decrease as we age, so the option of controlling the essentials in an easy way — rocker wall switches, remotes, smart home systems — can make a significant difference.
7
Edit your belongings thoughtfully
We all love our stuff — but how will you manage keeping it organized and clean as you age? Are your holiday ornaments and seasonal clothing in an attic? Less stuff equals less to worry about and take care of. Giving items to loved ones or to charity may make sense, and it's easier to do it before you have to.
8
Emergency access
Are you able to access help if you need it? If you aren't near your cell phone, is there a phone nearby? Complete reliance on a cell phone has its risks. Think through your options now.
9
Floor safety
Are your floors easy to navigate? Lots of rugs — particularly loose ones — can add to the risk of falling and are also difficult to manage if you have to use a walker or wheelchair.
10
Right-size for the life ahead
Bigger is better doesn't always apply. The less mobile you are, the more you will appreciate less distance to navigate. A home sized for a full household is not necessarily the right home for a different chapter of life.

Stepping away from the practical — does your house have the things that you see when you imagine your elder years?

What are the things that make that image a happy one for you? For me, for example, I hope to have a fireplace and a porch — where I can read books in a rocking chair. And if I'm really lucky, a small lap pool so that I have options for movement and exercise well into my old age.

A question worth sitting with

Your happy future years may include entirely different sorts of things. But thinking about what makes your heart feel good matters too. What does yours look like?

pursueyourpink · By Paula · Planning resources available via AARP HomeFit Guide · National Aging in Place Council