Preparing to Age in Place

I'm facing the same thing with my personal library. Books I won't live long enough to re-read, books on subjects I've lost interest in, etc.

It's really painful because nobody wants books anymore, so I literally can't give them away. Heartbreaking.

I'm wondering how folks have dealt with food preparation as aging has limited shopping and cooking abilities.
Viewing our kitchen from chair level shows me that about 1/3 to 1/2 of counters, cabinets and drawers would be useable. I can make that work, I've had very small kitchens and like the simplicity.
But people who have really had to manage wheelchair or one handed cooking may have real first-hand knowledge to share.
What kinds of modifications should be done in advance?
What kinds of cooking styles work best with disabilities?

Everything I've done in my ongoing project "Preparing to Age in Place" has given me immediate benefit in my day-to-day work of living.
Though at first I was motivated by concern for future disability and needs, now I am also motivated by a feeling of freshness and ease in my daily life, and I want more!

Getting rid of unnecessary stuff is part of this.
Making our home safe and easy to care for is another.
Completing medical, legal and financial documents is another.
Learning about available professional help before we need it gives a needed sense of reality.

Lately I seem to have more time and energy for community work and friendships: immediate pleasure and learning, and a source of emotional support.

I think we must recognize that "adapting to change" is going to be a major part of living. Reducing the "weight" of our living structures can make it easier to adapt. It's a lot easier changing the course of a cabin cruiser than changing the course of an aircraft carrier!

55 years ago I was 20 and my neighbor "Poppy" was 100 years old. We lived near Broadway and 72 St. in Manhattan. "We must adjust ourselves to the prevailing conditions, and do the very best we can to pull our own wagon!" was Poppy's favorite saying, always said with a little chuckle. The memory makes me very happy.

I’ve always done things ahead of when I need them. Going thru stages of life, I’ve been calling agencies to age at home. All I can say is SAVE YOUR MONEY because you will need it for caregiving. My biggest worry would be to have plenty of food in the house and general errands. We all age differently. I believe as long as dementia does not hit, we will be ok.
I never gave much thought to getting older, but I think about it now since I’m in my young 80s. I hope my non smoking, non drinking and general healthy lifestyle will pay off. So many friends are no longer living. Difficult to look at their photos. There is help out therefor us ageing seniors AT A PRICE.
those lucky enough to own a home, there is always a reverse mortgage.

Hello, Ed --
I can certainly relate to your question. Since a couple of surgeries in 2021 and the worsening of peripheral neuropathy and carpel tunnel, I am dependent on a cane for every step. Also, it is out of the realm of possibility or safety to cut a whole melon or squash, or to shuck an ear of sweet corn or cut up a whole chicken into 8 pieces. Up until last winter I was still managing to make soup pots of homemade soups to be divided and frozen in single servings. I knew when I was putting together my last recipe of that size! It requires some finagling of the budget, but I have found that for me, it is necessary to purchase many foods already cut up or peeled or into individual serving portions. I can still make soups but now they are of about 3 servings size.
The other major thing I have discovered is that I need a couple of plates and three or four bowls with nice, vertical sides - to make it easy to push food onto the utensil. Since I don't need a whole set of dishes, I have found these pieces at Home Goods.
And finally, to the extent possible I have replaced heavy glass baking/mixing dishes with options weighing much less. The exception to this would be anything that reheats or cooks food in the microwave. These instances would be for small servings so the size/weight would be minimal.
As for the squashes, I have one of my sons cut them in half when he visits, and the next day I can bake/prepare them for freezing in individual servings. There is no taking a couple of steps carrying food with two hands, so I use trivets or some kind of protectors on the counter to move hot things from the oven or off of the stove.
It seems everything is so time and energy consuming but if I can live independently, always with God's help, it is well worth it.
Blessings to you!

Going with your theme of doing things ahead, I decided to visit a couple of facilities. They were disappointing. The so-called apartments were small and I would not be able to bring anything of mine. There is also the monthly rent, which is not cheap and will go up each year. With the current scarcity of employment I do not think they can deliver on the care they promise. Assisted living is worse. At best you have a studio. And the rates are higher. So I have made the decision to stay at home. Because of certain family situation, I have a professional successor trustee who will take care of the trust when I die. We don't know when that that will be. At this time I am 3 months shy of my 90th birthday. However I am in extremely good shape. I am able to live independently an I can drive myself wherever I need to go. My successor trustee is in agreement with me that she will not put me in a facility if I live long enough to need assistance. Yes, you need money, but you will need it either way.

Dear Bjk3-
Thank you for such a great message!
The practical details are valuable, and have give my wife and me some things to discuss. We really need to make some changes in our kitchen before it is an emergency.
But what touches me is your open to change, let's keep moving approach.
Your post gives me a great, happy smile and a we-can-do-it spirit lift.
You know, if it eventually comes down to "all we can do is take care of ourselves," that is something we can rejoice in.

Hello, Ed --
I can certainly relate to your question. Since a couple of surgeries in 2021 and the worsening of peripheral neuropathy and carpel tunnel, I am dependent on a cane for every step. Also, it is out of the realm of possibility or safety to cut a whole melon or squash, or to shuck an ear of sweet corn or cut up a whole chicken into 8 pieces. Up until last winter I was still managing to make soup pots of homemade soups to be divided and frozen in single servings. I knew when I was putting together my last recipe of that size! It requires some finagling of the budget, but I have found that for me, it is necessary to purchase many foods already cut up or peeled or into individual serving portions. I can still make soups but now they are of about 3 servings size.
The other major thing I have discovered is that I need a couple of plates and three or four bowls with nice, vertical sides - to make it easy to push food onto the utensil. Since I don't need a whole set of dishes, I have found these pieces at Home Goods.
And finally, to the extent possible I have replaced heavy glass baking/mixing dishes with options weighing much less. The exception to this would be anything that reheats or cooks food in the microwave. These instances would be for small servings so the size/weight would be minimal.
As for the squashes, I have one of my sons cut them in half when he visits, and the next day I can bake/prepare them for freezing in individual servings. There is no taking a couple of steps carrying food with two hands, so I use trivets or some kind of protectors on the counter to move hot things from the oven or off of the stove.
It seems everything is so time and energy consuming but if I can live independently, always with God's help, it is well worth it.
Blessings to you!