Preparing to Age in Place

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.

Congratulations. A terrific success story. You are indeed, a very lucky lady with a good sense of timing as it turns out!!