Preparing to Age in Place

I bought my very first home (condo) when I was 63. It will be paid off when I'm 93. Then I have to take out another loan to pay back the local group that gave me $20,000 interest free (plus the increased value.) I Don't really think I need to worry about it so much as what are the chances i'll make it to 93, then what are the chances a bank will give me a 5+ year load to pay off the lien I have right now. Kind of funny isn't it? 30 year loan at 63 but so grateful to own something for the first time in my life.

and when I bought this condo in 2017, I had no idea what would happen to housing/rent. I bought it in preforclosure for $140,000. My mortgage (PITI) is $730/month for my 1200 sq ft, 2 bed/2 bath condo. I've been here 7 years. My previous rent was $1000 for a one bedroom 700 sq feet. Then the pandemic and now my condo is worth $300,000 and the rent on my old apartment is over $2,000. I would probably be homeless or I don't know where had I not gotten help to buy this condo. I am a very fortunate and grateful woman. Imagine today, I pay $730, am able to live alone still as I have my entire life, and there are ramps for my now crutches/wheelchaired life. Life is funny isn't it. I've always been lucky.

I came back to delete this and it was too late. Sorry to go on and on.

I came back to delete this and it was too late. Sorry to go on and on.

Right now, with a surgically repaired shoulder not yet "ready for action", the idea of aging in place is a little less appealing - I could not go out with a broom or shovel and push away a light dusting of snow on the driveway. And I realized I need to rethink my cupboard contents - without climbing there are just too many daily-use thing out of reach.

Once my shoulder heals, I will be able to safely use my step stool, but in future years I will need a longer-term solution. I see a rearrangement in my future - maybe I can combine it with gifting/donating some extra pots/pans/dishes/glassware. I am starting today by putting an indelible dot on each seldom-used piece that we DO use for special baking and holidays. A year from now, anything without a dot will be a candidate for removal.

Last year, when we redid the kitchen in our tiny home, kitchen and pantry-closet storage got a complete makeover, keeping only what we use. And I can reach everything but the "extras" which I can get from my stepstool.

Fortunately, my husband still manages the snowblower just fine. The other day the nice young woman next door, who is our plant/house sitter when we go away, came out as he was finishing and did the edge bits. And yesterday, after another 1/2" our daughter shoveled it away before coming in to help with baking.

I didn't realize what a nuisance a simple thing like this can be when you cannot do it yourself. Good thing our time "in the weather" is limited.

What have you found lately that needs changing/rearranging?
Sue
PS All of our step stools have sturdy rubber feet and a hand-hold at waist height when you are on the top step. No kitchen chairs or little plastic folding stools allowed.

Warning!
This post discusses pooping.
If you don't poop, or don't want to think about it, don't read!

Over the last year I noticed that some things in my body were changing and that it was increasingly difficult to finish up and clean myself well. I was going through lots of t. paper.
This led me to do some research about bidets and Japanese toilets.
For $200 I bought a BioBidet toilet attachment, a sort of toilet seat that contains the necessary equipment to spray warm water on your bottom .
I was happy with the cleaning job, and then I got an unexpected bonus:
The warm water spray stimulates my body to do a much better release. That causes a more complete emptying of my colon which helps me stay clean below. I dare say it's enjoyable!
[Read the reviews before making a purchase decision. many varieties of attachments are available. I chose a simple and low priced model.]

Warning!
This post discusses pooping.
If you don't poop, or don't want to think about it, don't read!

Over the last year I noticed that some things in my body were changing and that it was increasingly difficult to finish up and clean myself well. I was going through lots of t. paper.
This led me to do some research about bidets and Japanese toilets.
For $200 I bought a BioBidet toilet attachment, a sort of toilet seat that contains the necessary equipment to spray warm water on your bottom .
I was happy with the cleaning job, and then I got an unexpected bonus:
The warm water spray stimulates my body to do a much better release. That causes a more complete emptying of my colon which helps me stay clean below. I dare say it's enjoyable!
[Read the reviews before making a purchase decision. many varieties of attachments are available. I chose a simple and low priced model.]

I recently purchased one for about $250 and am pleased with it. I like feeling like I can skip a day of bathing and still feel clean.

It should be noted that there must be an electrical outlet near the commode. My brothers installed one for me so that I could avail myself of this device.

Good tip, Ed!

I am 89 years old and still living in my home and independent. What helped me to decide to stay in my home was visiting a couple of facilities that advertise independent living. I found the apartments were very small and that I would not be able to bring my own furniture and other things with me. The rents are not cheap either. So far I am managing with a cleaning helper who comes every three weeks and a gardener who comes every month. I am extremely fortunate to now have anything major wrong with me. I have a torn tendon in my right arm but it does not need surgery. This afternoon I go to physical therapy to make arrangements for 12 sessions. I do not need to take a bunch of drugs. This definitely helps. I can and do still drive so I do not need to depend on anyone to get me to where I need to be. At my age I cannot know how long I will be on this earth or if I will need any assisted living. But based on what I read about the costs, I believe it will be cheaper for me to hire my own assistants to come here where I am comfortable.