Planning your homestead for the future???

[Beeman]

Hermit John's post about illness or injury brings up a important subject. It's just a fact that if we stay alive we age and unfortunately slow down in the process. We also tend to be less shall we say nimble in our movements. When we were building a deck a few years back a carpenter made a comment that really made me think. He said none of us are getting younger and we don't know what the future holds so if he were building the deck he would build it even with the floor level of the house to avoid steps that might trip you. I understood his message and now think about things like this when building around the house. I live in a one story home and have often thought about building a house and would I build 2 stories or 1? I have seen older people in a 2 story home where they do not go upstairs anymore because of trouble navigating the stairs. Accessibility to the house itself is another factor.

[WisJim]

We keep talking of building a new home, primarily for energy efficiency and for accessability as we get older. We would do 2 stories, but make it with a bedroom on the first floor, so that the 2nd floor was guest room and work space. If we could no longer easily use stairs, we could do everything we needed to do on the first floor. It would also have no basement, the first floor would be partially into the hillside. (We actually did stake out the tentative site up the hill from our orchard.)

[rickd203]

I remember my grandparents having these problems. The stairs in their house were very steep and narrow. As they got older, they couldn't go upstairs or down into the basement. Their property was also on a steep hill. They couldn't go the mailbox or take the garbage to the street. They rarely went up to the barn and never went to the back of their property.

[DocM]

I have a three story house now, but I plan to turn it over to one of my kids and build a smaller, one level house for when I'm less able to negotiate (re: clean) this house. I considered those exact things, level ground, availability of services for elders, when I bought this place in my 20's. Of course, the area is growing by leaps and bounds now.. not sure I want to grow old in this area. I will reevaluate as I age.

[crafty2002]

I still have the blueprint I drew for our dream house but if I could build a house now it would be that one. I had the master bedroom upstairs and since I fell, I wouldn't think of having a house like that.
There is 8 steps leading off the back porch and a lot of times when I go to feed the chickens I will walk all the way back around to the front to come back in if my leg and hip is hurting right bad.
Going down is no problem but coming back up is hell sometimes.

Dennis

[TerriA]

We live in a 2 story now. Basement finished with the computer in the rec room so I do manage the basement steps. Problem is, I have fallen down enough times to have to be extremely careful now (permanently hurt my shoulder a couple of years ago). I hardly EVER go to the 2nd story.. even though it has my sewing room, guest room and library (and the housekeeping neglect shows!). The stairs to the 2nd story are steep and narrow since the house was built over 100 yrs ago.

I have decided that having a ranch type style house with a walk out basement may be the best option for us. I am not quite 50 yet but I still do not need to nurse more sprained ankles, etc.

We are now looking for our own land (presently renting) so we can build to suit later on. I don't mind hills but I do mind STEPS! LOL!!

Terri

[MelissaW]

We purposely built a house with one of the bedrooms on the first floor. We use it as an office/playroom now, but when the stairs get too hard, we'll move down here. My son wants this place, so he can have it when we're gone. If I outlive my husband (doubtful), I'll move to town and let my son have it then since I couldn't keep up with the property on my own. It's sad to think about it, but I guess you have to!

[Farmerwilly2]

We bought our place because it had easy access. Single floor, wide doorways, big master bath. While we can I'll add ramps, hand rails and a roll-in shower. We can both get around now, but no telling what could change in the future. Same with the garden--raised beds, planting tables, lower roofs on the outbuildings.

[lgslgs]

We chose our house and land so that it would fork for us now and also as we age.

We are a bit closer to the highway than I would have chosen otherwise, but we are 5 minutes from the state police and 10 minutes from the ambulance garage.

Our house is a bit closer to the road than I might like, but you can get an ambulance in and out of the driveway no matter what the weather brings.

Our house is one story, garage is large and one story, space to add on one story outbuildings.

The land is hilly, but most of the five acres closest to the house could be managed in a wheelchair or with a walker. The farther parts of the land could revert to forest and brush in our old age if we couldn't get out there. In between the handicap accessible part and the rough terrain we have a good system of wide paths with manageable grades - fine for aging but able people to handle.

When we were looking for our land one of the big things we took into consideration was whether it was suitable to be a truly lifelong property. It's definitely something worth considering sooner rather than later.

Lynda

[treesonggal]

We moved into our older mobile home a month ago and I am sooooooo thankful for my boyfriend's foresight! We're in an area where we don't have to worry about flooding or 300 inches of snow so the home is close to the ground. It's one step up to the door. AFTER the mobile was installed according to code and the insulated skirting was complete, he moved dirt all the way around the place - thus covering half the depth of the skirting.

I have MS and am already experiencing some of the things most people concern themselves with as they age. Consequently, we have replaced all the interior and exterior door knobs with lever type handles. The garbage can outside is on a wheeled cart so it's easy for me to move; we bought a lighter weight vacuum; the furniture is on glider pads so I can move it easily while vacuuming; the lower kitchen cabinets have pull out shelves; the step ladders have textured rubber stuff on EACH step to help prevent slipping; and I've started taking either the cell phone or a walkie talkie with me if I'm out walking anywhere on the property or down the road.

When we move to our future homestead we're having 40 inch doors and halls - some will be special ordered; others built by us. We'll have the same lever type handles, pull out shelves, one step or ramp access, no basement or second floor, and a wood shed attached to the house with a woodbox on a roller that pulls in through the wall for easy access and less mess.

[marvella]

i turned 54 this year and have the expected health complaints. i work with mentally and physically handicapped people.

adding those 2 facts together will explain why when i had the house built last winter i had them build extra wide doorways, all on one floor, very large step in shower with built in seats and a nice ramp leading to the front porch.

i think even if i sell the place, those might be good selling points. the older i get the more "compulsive" i get about planning for the future. my daughter rents the DW so hopefully someone will notice if i don't show up for a day or two.

[jassytoo]

DH and I are in the process of planning our retirement home.We have made this home wheelchair accessable because we have a 7 year old grandson who is in a wheelchair. Its been an education. Luckily this house is a one story ranch but there were still areas that needed altering. I've noticed the house is easier for us too now. The new place will definately be handicapped ready and not just for DGS but for us too.

[Macybaby]

We built our "dream/retirement" home with that in mind. All doors were 36" wide, no narrow hallways and all essentials on the main floor. We could have even put living quarters in the lower level (walk out basement) for assisted living in needed. It gave me the bedroom that felt like it was upstairs (on the south side) but was really on the main entry level on the north (Driveway) side. It would have been great for an older couple to deal with.

And then life took a turn and we sold it four years later . . .

Now I plan things with an eye on the future, but I've learned to leave things open to change.

Cathy

[pixelphotograph]

im pretty young still but our house was built with extra wide doorways for wheelchair access. and its all one level so no up or down stairs to have to worry about as well.
It was one of the things we wanted in a home as I have had back problems in the past and its no fun to have to walk up or down a flight of stairs. Even a small bump up or down hurts like heck when you got a bad back.

[Ohio dreamer]

Even though we are "young" (late 30's) we have always planed to build having a first floor bedroom with a handicap accessible bathroom. I'm an only child so there is always the possibility of one or both of my parents needing help. And DH and DS are klutzes...so there may be broken legs (or worse) in our future as well.

Now we are looking at going earth-sheltered or underground, so one story would be logical, although we have thought about a second floor sun room/ grow room. Something we could easily seal off if need be.

[Shinsan]

When I recently asked for comments or suggestions on the design of my 2 storey mud-brick farmhouse, most replies indicated the need for a master bedroom on the ground floor, and doorways wide enough to allow wheelchair access. After some thought on this, the plan now is to turn what is currently planned as a studio/workshop into a 'Granny Flat' - self-contained accommodation on the ground floor level - when we are no longer able to climb stairs. Another consideration is to replace steps adjacent to the entry with a ramp.

[EasyDay]

We kept the perils of aging in mind while rebuilding this old house and farm.
Single story, handles on doors instead of doorknobs, etc. Even the way the critters' accomodations are could be done in a wheelchair... cows, goats, chickens, etc. The only thing we wouldn't be able to do is come in the back door of the house, because of the steps to the deck... but the front door is only a few inches above ground level, so is workable.

I think it's smart for people to plan ahead... even if they're young. One never knows when they may become debilitated, and it could even be sooner than one thinks. Among the many changes that one would have to make, were that to happen, at least moving into a more conducive home wouldn't have to be one of them.

[nomad7inwi]

I think that is why the people we bought this place from sold. They hadn't farmed in about 15 years, but I think its the house design that forced the sale for them. They are in their 60's. This house is the ultimate split level. An old farm house that has been added on to and renovated. You walk and have access to the kitchen, study, and bathroom (which I guess if it comes to this we could change the study to a bedroom). Go up about 3 stairs to a bedroom, or you can go down about 8 stairs to a living room that leads outside, from there a few more stairs to a basement bedroom. Back to the main level you can also go up about 20 stairs to get to 2 bedrooms and another bathroom. From the kitchen you can walk down stairs to the garage, or go a few more stairs to the basement. You can get to the basement from 2 different directions, where the laundry is. This house definitely is not wheelchair friendly. Since I have yet in my life to live in the same house for more than 3 years we'll see if it even becomes an issue for us (I'm 37 now). I cannot imagine how we could renovate to make it easier for us as we age.