How much to live on

helensbiggestfan

Savy Sue.  Thanks some useful tips there. 

With the house being a new (ish) build it does actually conform to current disabled person legislation.  For example,  it has a downstairs cloakroom, an accessible shower in the ensuite, no steps to front door etc.  I haven't checked the door frames but my understanding is the legislation I'm referring to (sorry can't remember the actual year it was introduced to new builds) does actually cover width of doors to accommodate standard wheelchairs and/or walking aids such as zimmer frames and rollators.  Obviously not the large "tilt in space" wheelchairs my husband  needed as his illness progressed and he could no longer sit unsupported in a standard wheelchair.  You would normally need double doors for those.  If I ever got to that stage I wouldn't be able to live alone anyway.  

Widening door frames is easy enough, if a little messy so I could do that as and when I come to redecorate.   The only modification that is glaringly obvious is whether or not I might need some sort of stairlift.  Although I would prefer the newer domestic proper lifts you can get now rather than a stairlift.  No idea of the price though, I would imagine they cost more but I can cross that bridge when I come to it.  

The house has an integral garage which I might convert into additional living space to make a utility room and study. This space could house the lift if one were needed.  

The garden has already been hard landscaped to include a substantial stone patio area, leaving a small easily maintained lawned area, although I might have that removed and replaced with gravel to create a Japanese style garden.   I did something similar in a previous house.  It was very pretty, with a water feature and wide borders for trees and shrubs. Very minimal and zen like. Lol. I will be definitely be planting trees around the perimeter for extra privacy.  

When I remodelled my last bungalow I did actually pay attention to future proofing, even to the extent of putting in "comfort height" toilets.  It was definitely a selling point. My buyers were very impressed because the lady had been diagnosed with MS and so they were being extra careful about her future needs. 

As you say it's always worthwhile thinking these things through, even if I hope not to be needing such adaptations for some time yet.  

Thanks for your good wishes. I think it has the makings of being an attractive and comfortable home. The survey was done yesterday and the surveyor told me he really liked the house, that it had a great layout and that he especially liked the location.  It's the last house in a small cul de sac of just 4 properties, overlooking a wooded area.  Each house is a different style so it doesn't look or feel like a "cookie cutter" home. 

I know this might sound a bit airy fairy but I viewed several properties, .......as you do........Whilst most of them would have been perfectly acceptable this one just has the right "feel".  I am sure the house and I will be very happy together.  😁

barnstar2077

You have obviously given ageing in your home a good amount of thought.  I am always amazed by the couples on Grand Designs who are in their sixties and building their dream glass box, split over three levels with sunken seating in the living room and no consideration for wheelchair access or the possibility of living solely on the ground floor at some point etc.

I have managed to break an ankle and a knee in the last six or so years, and I can assure you that a downstairs loo would have come in very handy indeed! :  )

helensbiggestfan

My husbands illness was a real eye opener for me.  I managed to care for him at home for as long as I could but when he became a paraplegic then unfortunately I couldn't cope any longer and he had to go into care.  

If we had known how his illness would manifest itself then we would have sold up and maybe we could have found more suitable accommodation.  Who knows.   I also watched my parents struggle as they aged in accommodation which didn't meet their needs.  They lived in a beautiful 17th century cottage, full of nooks and crannies, it just couldn't be adapted. They refused to move until it was too late.  Mum ended up in a nursing home and dad had to move into sheltered accommodation.  Both hated their new living arrangements and were miserable.  Not a nice way to live your final years.  

It's a balancing act, trying to prepare for possible future needs whilst not worrying too much about what might lie ahead.  Prepare for the worst and hope for the best........

Hope your knee and ankle are ok now.  

Organgrinder

My father was planning to move into sheltered accommodation as he was finding the stairs difficult - he'd broken his ankle in his early seventies and wasnt very mobile. My mother passed away at just 60. Sadly he then had an accident resulting in severe head truama and was in a coma for over 3 months.

I often wonder if his accident could have been avoided had he moved earlier but of course we will never know.

As with all things, you can only do your best. 

Nebulous2

There is a sweet spot for moving / downsizing / preparing for the future, and many people miss it.

I've visited many people as part of my work, who didn't prepare and suddenly found it was too late. I remember one lady who hadn't been out of her house for 3 years as she couldn't get downstairs.  

We employed a teacher part-time in one of the care organisations I worked for. He had worked in special needs, retired from that, and took a part-time job with us. He had the big house they had built, big car, big garden etc. 

In preparation for finally retiring he sold the house and sold the car as his wife didn't like driving it. He bought a retirement flat, with no garden, bought a small car and also bought a static caravan on a site next to his favourite golf course, where he spent much of the summer months. 

I was really impressed with the forethought; he made sure they still did the things they enjoyed, but dramatically cut the gardening and home maintenance, with a plan for what would happen if either or both of them had reduced capacity or were left on their own.

Albermarle

barnstar2077 said:

You have obviously given ageing in your home a good amount of thought.  I am always amazed by the couples on Grand Designs who are in their sixties and building their dream glass box, split over three levels with sunken seating in the living room and no consideration for wheelchair access or the possibility of living solely on the ground floor at some point etc.

I have managed to break an ankle and a knee in the last six or so years, and I can assure you that a downstairs loo would have come in very handy indeed! :  )

Personally I think just as important as the layout of the house, is 
1) The access to it . So not on a hill, no long steep driveway or flight of steps to negotiate. Being able to park very close by/on a driveway.
2) The location . Easy access to local shops, GP etc . a few minutes walk on the level at most. Ideally access to public transport. Not too far from hospital.

I once went on a holiday with a family member in a wheelchair, to a property advertised as wheelchair friendly, even with a lift from pavement to front door.
What was not explained was that the property was on a 1in 4 hill......( before the days of Google street view) 

LL_USS

In my 30s I bought a flat next to work, and I thought it would be just perfect to get back to use it in later life, so I tried my best to keep it as I moved to a bigger house after. The flat is on the ground floor, at the back of the building, looking out to a West facing communal garden that is well kept but just as breathing space for the building whilst people don't go back there. Next door used to be owned by a person who used a wheel-chair. No steep hills, all amenities nearby, bus route right outside the estate. I suppose it was early to think of it for later life in my 30s  but I am glad I did. I always can have this as a future-proof option . EDIT: forgot to add, it's also in walking distance to two hospitals, and two parks, one with a museum, too. Am looking @helensbiggestfan's comment about forward thinking - making me laugh, thanks

helensbiggestfan

Wow.....that was forward thinking,  😁.   

Well I've just done a quick tally of my Christmas shopping.  I don't actually have separate pots set aside for each spending category.  I just casually chuck everything into the highest easy access savings account I can find, then draw down as necessary. Sounds a bit lack-a-daisical compared to some of you very well organised people but it works for me. I do have separate long term savings but I ignore them. Once I've moved I will need to reorganise my finances again but I'm happy enough with how things are working at the moment.  

Now that my parents are dead I don't have many people to buy for these days, just close family, 2 sons, 2 DILs and two grandchildren, so I can afford to be generous. My sister and I don't exchange Christmas or birthday gifts now but we do treat each other to a nice slap up meal for each others birthdays, and usually just a small something such as flowers /bottle of plonk.  

I love giving presents and try hard to find the appropriate gifts.  Love seeing their faces light up with delight when I get it right, We had two 40th birthdays this year so I pushed the boat out a bit.  I have got two more 40ths in two years time so plenty of time to plan ahead.  Hope I will still be around for their 50ths and maybe even their 60ths and beyond. 🤞🤣.  

This year I've bought my two grandsons a karaoke machine.   My sons party piece is belting out 80s power ballads so it should be a big hit with the whole family.  I actually got it as a Black Friday deal so it wasn't overly extravagant.  

Just filled up the car. I too like a full petrol tank over the Christmas period.  The roads were rammed and it was freezing out there.  Glad to be back home, time to have some brunch.  

louby40

Great Christmas Eve and Day spent with family.

Now in glorious Morocco for the next 10 days in a truly luxurious adult only hotel. This is the second time we have come away for some Christmas/New Year sun and I'd highly recommend it. last nights sunset was stunning.

Temperature was 26 today. Finished my first book and now on my second. 

Hope everyone had a great time celebrating with friends and family. 

Organgrinder

Jealous? Me?