Doing the house up, downsizing, old age prep

Plumtree_2

This is my first post and I hope this is the right place for it. Thank you for your previous comments which I've found very helpful.

Today I had my home valued as I want to sell and move within the next year. I'm considering buying a property that my 43 yo daughter and my 22 yo grandson can 'share' with me. I would have a separate area for my sole use and they would have similar for their use. The property would be put into trust to ensure my ownership and then, after my demise, to safeguard my daughter & g'son, who are both on the autism spectrum/aspergers.

I'm in my late 60s, am very fit however I have spinal issues which could restrict my mobility, body functions in the future.

What do you think, have you had similar experiences?

[Deleted User]

plumtree, a belated welcome from me. I can`t help specifically but am hoping that someone can. I think, at this stage in life, that we all have unique problems and I know I am only capable of dealing with myself just now. I don`t have the experience to specifically help someone else with what they might need

I have ordered 3 items of furniture, two are small and the 3rd is a tv cabinet. They are all the same good quality light oiled oak, to replace dark oak, which my dd is very happily taking from me. I can see that the dark furniture would be nice re-painted shabby chic style but tbh it is any excuse for me to pass things on now.So I will own several mix and match pieces in the same style and wood all with an eye to the future, in case I ever have to move

I have also replaced a leather recliner with a zero gravity chair with low arms, I can knit in it without having to raise my arms and I can lie back with legs up and the weight off my back. It is bliss but not cheap, not just a luxury item but I am looking to try and keep aches and pains away with a view to staying mobile as I head into my 70s

Sorting and clearing has gone well and I can look around my living room with a light heart and happiness now. All the dusting can be done with my new feather duster and that is quite a change. Paperwork is all done and sorted and new papers are put into a handy box

Kitchen is on track to be done in a few weeks and I am in second stage sorting, I have given lots away as I move from family cooking to single cooking but always keeping enough to make nice things for gatherings. New wood pellet stove is in and will be trouble free in the future. Garden is 100% done and most plants are drought hardy, it also looks great with the small solar water feature and my new bird station, so I have things to look at, I can swivel my new chair and my other recliner to look out of the french doors. Dvds and cds were done last week and they are all out of the boxes and stored neatly in case logic storage cases, I have only kept the ones I want to keep. They take up a fraction of space now, the cases will store neatly in the new tv cabinet, which has doors

I keep my shredder handy upstairs, it is a big one and gobbles up paper and cardboard, all of which goes to make compost for my allotment. I order most things online as I have to travel to any shop, so there is always lots of cardboard

I was just looking back to the first post and my garden has changed again from that. I have no strawberry plants left and no small containers. I took a large car full to the skip this week and it was kind of cathartic

lessonlearned

Hi Plumtree.

Although I kniw a lot about property - my career for 30 odd years and although I have a lot of experience with dealing with elderly and or disabled people so have a a good understanding of housing issues I too don't really feel I can advise you. I also have a niece with Aspergers so I understand the need to safeguard your daughter and grandsons future.

You have a very particular set of circumstances and they need a particular set of skills to unravel all the implications. I'm not sure quite where to direct you, because the rules regarding deprivation of assets etc are extremely complex. Whilst There is a measure of protection for children who are either over 60 or disabled I don't know what the ruling is regarding autism and Asperger sufferers.

I would suggest you contact Autism support groups who might be able to direct your enquiries

I also think your first port of call should be a solicitor who specialises in wills, probate, and trusts. Trusts are complicated tricky things and you need to tread carefully.

You need to get expert advice on this. I would recommend you take your time and do some thorough research.

Kittie - sounds like you are making great progress.

I need to get my thinking cap on and make a decision as to where I want to live and what kind of property.

[Deleted User]

I am dithering about whether to put this post on the skier thread or this thread but if I am honest, I am doing what I do to make my future easier. I appreciate that I am getting a fantastic kitchen, the old one is out and I am sanding and painting, ready for the new one, which is definitely future proofed.

The design is much better, drawers and now two ovens as I am including a small combination oven, for the many times that I am cooking for one. Appliances are top quality as I want then to last and to give me pleasure (skier) as I carry on making my sourdough boules easily, in an oven that has shots of steam

All the hanging tools are gone, all the hooks under the top cabinets will be gone, the switches have been placed so that the walls will look streamlined. I have given loads away, to my family and to charity shops. Anything I cannot fit into its designated space is going to go. I am going to carry on being ruthless eg I still have two large sieves and 3 small and I use them all but!!!

This downsizing/getting ready to be old process has taken two years so far and I will see a big difference within a month. Only now I see, marks and poor paintwork and fingerprints on walls, so I have to get a painter in from now on. Maybe sooner rather than later, while I am still able to move things, maybe starting next year

I am thinking next of doors, maybe getting nice doors that won`t need continual painting. That will be another chunk of money. Another maybe but they have to be nice light coloured doors to suit my white painted eco house, so more research coming up during winter

An image shot into my mind last night, an old person who had neglected house maintenance until she was not able to do it and her house turned into one of those ramshackle homes that we sometimes see on tv, so yes it gave me even more determination. Now or never

lessonlearned

Sounds like you are making great progress.

ivecdecided to shelve house hunting until after Christmas. I am having an extended vacation 33 days - in November so won't really have time go legally complete now.

So......the house hunt begins in earnest next year. I am looking forward to it......

[Deleted User]

LL it is a very good move, having the holiday first, you will feel refreshed and a new woman when you return. You really need the break after what you have been through

My old kitchen is out and I have spent the last two days rubbing plaster, painting patches, scrubbing the stone floor and dusting. I am messy everywhere but the kitchen area is sparkling and looks so much bigger. Today I have really taken in what I have done so far and that room, kitchen/dining/living is looking far more open, airy and lighter. Next difficult step for me is to admit to being on my own and to stop being prepared for multiples on a daily basis. Ok, I will have to keep cutlery and dishes etc for the whole family but hey they don`t need to be in my new kitchen and I certainly won`t need all the ingredients that I have. Anyway, that will be a bridge to cross in two more weeks

Just a shoe rack in the hall, another thing that I would like to downsize. It holds six pairs and I need one to hold two pairs. Any ideas? or should I just keep them on the floor against the wall?

lessonlearned

Shoe storage is a problem isnt it. I suppose it depends on wide/narrow your hall is. My sons house is victorian terrace with a fairly narrow hall and I haven't found a good shoe storage solution yet.

Your kitchen sounds like it's going to be really well planned for your needs.

Savvy_Sue

kittie wrote: »

Just a shoe rack in the hall, another thing that I would like to downsize. It holds six pairs and I need one to hold two pairs. Any ideas? or should I just keep them on the floor against the wall?

For just two pairs (is that really all you own???) I'd put a small pretty doormat where I wanted to keep them. Then other visits who want to kick their shoes off know where to put them.

lessonlearned wrote: »

Shoe storage is a problem isnt it. I suppose it depends on wide/narrow your hall is. My sons house is victorian terrace with a fairly narrow hall and I haven't found a good shoe storage solution yet.

the very bestest shoe storage I ever had was an over the door thing which took 18 pairs of shoes sort of impaled. Bit like this one. (There were five of us at the time!)

It hung on the outside of the loo door, off the hallway, and served us very well.

Once we moved, there didn't seem to be a good place to put it, so we got rid of it and I've never found a solution half as good since.

This from IKEA is probably a bit wide for a narrow hall, but it's brilliant, although it doesn't take enough shoes and there's only the two of us now.

[Deleted User]

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

For just two pairs (is that really all you own???)

I slept on it and as usual found a solution. SS, lol, I have more shoes but they are in my bedroom cupboard. The hall place would be for a pair of tidy outdoor shoes and a pair of crocs for putting bins out etc. A shoe tray on the floor, that is all I need.

So one nice rack to pass on, I will offer to children first and if not needed then it will go to the cs. It has done good service for 5 years in this house but circumstances change and it is important for me to adapt and not hang onto stuff just because

elona

Kittie

Your post really resonated with me. DDs pointed out when I downsize even if I half the kitchen stuff I have it will still be far more than a normal person :eek:

Once i eventually downsize I will probably do as you plan, keep enough in the kitchen for a couple of people and have stuff boxed and clearly labelled in say the garage. I think dds have their eye on some of the nice china etc already

A van came yesterday and one of DDs bedrooms has been cleared.
There is still a chair to be collected and clothes to sort through but once it is cleared I plan to shampoo the carpet and paint a feature wall so it looks nicer. I donated a bookcase to dd and husband and am slowly reducing things.

Hugs to all