Downsizing, To Move or Not to Move? That is the Question
At some point as we age, we will have to make a decision about leaving our homes and downsizing. Maybe in our own town or to another town. Maybe to smaller home, condo, apartment, or assisted living/senior community.
When the time comes to downsize, seniors can struggle with a multitude of emotional, physical, and financial challenges.
How do you make an informed decision about when to downsize?
What tips do you have to share?
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.
@funcountess The original cast iron tub is fairly low, so I am okay with that, using the grab bars. It has been many decades since I took a bath. Like @ess77 getting up from a bath would need a crane ;)) The new bathroom could probably have the fiberglass unit pulled out and a walk in shower placed in.
Being winter has set in pretty much, projects include gathering all our leaves up. Neighbor is taking them all for their plants, so I half-suggested they could help with the cleanup, also! And we are chopping up large pieces of dry wood to feed the always-hungry fireplace. Sewing and crafting when weather is too unfriendly.
Ginger
Grass isn't always greener on other side. So remember new houses have issues as well. The 17 steps seems like a lot of steps to me so I'm assuming you have a multi floor house. I have freinds that have not been in their kids bedroom for years house is so big no need to go into that part of house. Maybe you could look at same scenario only use part of house that makes sense. Good luck have a blessed day. Dave
Make sure you put down a no slip mat on bottom of tub or shower that will help prevent slips and falls but make it easier to get in and out dave
Ginger, are you considering a fiberglass walk-in shower? I have a freind who had one installed and she loves it. My plan was/is/may be to have the old tub out and re do the wall tile/add floor tile and grab bars, etc. We'll see. I think I already have the tiles in storage, so costs now will be mostly labor. Just more to consider, weigh pros and cons and make decisions alone, with no consulting my firance nor anyone. This is when I feel so alone, head toward depression. So, I'll work on that today and move ahead in some way.....be safe, and know you have those right here who care and want the best for you! Blessings. Elizabeth
Well, my goodness! Anyone who gets your wonderful leaves to help their plants.....of course they must do most of the work! Shame on them if they don't automatically do it! You are lovely to give them the gold mulch for their plants. Just my thoughts.....Elizabeth
@ess77 If we decide to do that, it might have to be replacing the original cast iron tub and surround. I truly don't think the previous owner was thinking straight when they added the on-suite. Apparently she was whining about a soaker tub, the doorway is only 23" wide! Surprised the contractor agreed to that.
These days there are options to think about, so take your time. If you have friends or neighbors who have retrofitted their spaces, get feedback from them the best way to do it.
Ginger
Sue, I like that idea of have the extra space year round when you replace your porch with a family room. Would that be the only thing left to have your home the way you want it, so you can live there comfortably for many more years? If so, get going, lady! I say that as I haven't gotten anything more done on my reno work! I'm a little slump right now, weather change w/rain and cooling and my body goes nuts! Pain, joints ache, hands/wrists/fingers arth is quite painful, feet....everything hurts now and more. More THC:CBD right now! off computer and rest in recliner, maybe a hot tea is good.....Blessings, Elizaabeth
Not at this point. I'm pretty isolated these days, as I suppose are you and everyone.....I'm just feeling blue. It'll pass. For some reason, and I do believe it's related to the weather, I woke up this morning not my happy to be alive self. I'm aching all over....that takes the joy ourt of the day.....Well, it's drizzling, been raining all day and last night, gotten much cooler - 59 degrees now at 4pm., in the low 40's tonight. Then the next few days are a bit cooler, 30's at night. I'm complaining about my weather!!!! The news just now is talking about the horrible snow/ice/wind storm....but folks in New York, Penn, Ohio, Boston, etc live there on purpose and are suppposed to have that weather. That's one reason I'm in Florida, where it's not supposed to get cold much or for long. Good thing. My body would have so much trouble in snow and ice and cold! Blessings to everyone in the bad weather, the covid shut-downs!!!!!!, etc. I used to own a shop and we would never have survived the covid losses. Few small businesses can.....i'm having some hot tea w/honey and heading upstairs to crawl into my big bed. Just got a 'heavy' comforter. Love it. heavy, with glass balls inside that make me feel hugged and loved and warm. Think I like it! Blessings to you all. Elizabeth.
There are a few other matters, but this is a long held wish. Especially if we can figure out how to add direct access out the back of the lower level at the same time. My husband is not on board with the extensive work I would like to do. He's more inclined to just replace floor and door of the existing porch. But I have a big family that likes to get together and it would really expand our gathering space and my views of gardens and birds. Plus I envision one organized shed with proper shelves and lighting where I don't bump my head on the low door, or have to guess which shed the tool or pot is hiding in!
Sue
my house was built in 1960. I juust found a nice handyman, he came today. So important to find good handymen, he hung a mirror for me, fixed the door to the attic.