It’s a familiar scenario: you swore in your wrath that you’d stay in your home forever and never need any help. Yet the decades of accumulated stuff are difficult to manage, your large home and yard requires more maintenance and energy than you’ve got to spare, and the sunset years are setting in.
When home maintenance is overwhelming and future accessibility is becoming a worry, the most important thing you can do is plan ahead. The future will arrive whether you avoid it or not, so plan ahead for a beautiful future–one that looks forward to building relationships instead of managing your clutter, maintaining more space than you need, and worrying about your safety in a residence that wasn’t built for aging.
Lighten Your Load
We love our stuff because it represents so many memories. But so much of what we’ve accumulated over the decades we simply don’t use or need anymore. Consider the mental weight that your things bring you now and how they will burden your loved ones after you’re gone. It can feel both exciting and freeing to let things go.
Focus on what you love by keeping the items and furniture that are truly useful and bring you happiness. Enjoy the beautiful quilts, the good china and the pretty jewelry. Live life in the present instead of believing you’ll save these nice things for a rainy day.
Keep in mind that your children will most likely not value your possessions in the same ways that you do, and that’s okay. Remember that today’s generation does not want to inherit dark heavy furniture, figurines or fine china, old clothing or physical books. If you no longer need or use these items, let them go and savor a less burdened life.
Enjoy the Freedom of a Smaller Home
Gone are the generations that lived in the same residence from the newlywed years to raising a bustling family to a quiet retirement. In our move-up market, almost everyone has expanded their living spaces in their middle years to accommodate growing family needs. But as we become empty-nesters in our 50s and 60s, all of that space is no longer necessary. There’s no need to stay in a home that becomes a burden with its upkeep, empty rooms, and accumulated clutter. Though many couples maintain their large family homes in the hopes that married children and families will stay over, renting a large Airbnb for special occasions is a much better solution than keeping a house that is oversized for you 99% of the time.
What will your needs be in 10 or 20 years? Even if you are completely mobile and independent now, that could change without warning. Though we can carefully plan for financial independence, we cannot control whether or not we will remain physically independent. What would it look like if your mobility significantly declines? Make your future more comfortable by ensuring your home will meet your potential future needs, not just your present and past ones.
Consider a much smaller home with amenities that allow you to age in place. This way you can retain your independence for as long as possible. There are wonderful options that bridge the gap between large family homes and assisted living. And the sooner you make the move, the more likely you’ll be able to remain in your home independently.
Townhomes and Patio Homes
Townhomes, patio homes, and condos offer less square footage, much smaller yards for significantly less maintenance and one-level living. Many places have the added benefit of homeowner’s associations, which will often handle lawn care, snow removal, and building issues such as roofing. Both for rent or for sale, these residence-type options can be a great solution. Additionally, some have pools and clubhouses that can be used for large family gatherings.
Big Sky Patio Homes | 1500 Big Sky Way
Briar Creek Townhomes | Briar Creek Lane
Three Fountains Condos | Woodruff Ave between 17th and 12th
Apartment Communities
Apartment communities designed for those 55 and older offer the benefits of apartment living alongside helpful community resources. Never worry about a leaky faucet or a flooded basement; all that is taken care of for you. Instead of letting isolation close in, join in the camaraderie and friendship of close neighbors. Many complexes have convenience features such as wheelchair accessibility, single-floor living, and daily trash valet service.
Elk Creek Senior Apartments | 1960 Martha Ave
The Ivory at Woodruff | 1956 South Woodruff Ave
Victory Ranch Apartments | 1621 East 49th South
Senior Communities
Senior living communities offer the benefits of independent living with amenities focused for seniors. With planned social activities, options for dining and transportation, and services such as housekeeping, you can forgo the work of home maintenance. Many senior communities have fully-equipped fitness centers, gourmet dining, walkable green spaces, movie theaters, and salons. Seniors who have moved there report a higher quality of life, a renewed sense of purpose, and a healthier lifestyle.
Fairwinds | 3310 Valencia Drive
Lincoln Court | 850 Lincoln Drive
MorningStar | 4000 South 25th East
Sooner is Better than Later
If you’re newly retired or looking forward to retirement, you may think it’s too early to plan for senior living. But the ideal time to make plans is well before you want to move, and before a crisis or health challenge forces you to make a quick decision. Also remember that the longer you wait, the harder it is to tackle the arduous task of moving households. By weighing your options now, you can make the choice that’s right for you in the long term. This way you’ll be able to spend fewer years encumbered by unneeded possessions and extensive home maintenance and more time enjoying life and building relationships.