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Just my two cents here. If you plan on staying in this next home until they take you out with a toe tag, I'd opt for the smaller one-story home. Stairs are okay as long as you can get up and down them. What happens if one of you breaks a hip and can't maneuver the stairs? If you aren't planning on staying that long, go for the one with the best resale value.
On another retirement thread, comment was posted about couple who added on to their house and extended an invitation to their kids to come live with them, care for them as they aged, and then inherit the house. One of the kids took them up on this.
One level - no stairs. That issue plays a prominate role in this thread. I am intrigued by how ready people are to concede that they will have trouble with stairs as they age, and I am wondering how many of those people have given up not only on their own mobility but also on the factors which will lead to the loss of mobility such as staying active, going to the gym, and controlling their weight. And yes, I am clear that for some folks there are factors beyond their control; for example I have a friend who has struggled with rhumatoid arthritis since childhood - now at age 66 she is having serious problems with stairs.
If you stop doing something you can lose your ability to do that thing. If you start avoiding stairs and also avoid lower body weight work-outs (especially important for us older folks), well that is a near guarantee that you are going to eventually have trouble with stairs.
I am 67, had hernia surgery a year ago, from which they send you home the same day. My attitude was "Thank heaven for the stairs". By taking them very slowly, one at a time like a 90-year-old would, it gave me that small amount of activity in the first couple of days following surgery which contributed to my rapid healing. I waited two weeks to resume jogging, as per the surgeon's instructions.
Stairs can be a welcome and life-enhancing addition to daily physical activity. Let's not rush to embrace being disabled/crippled.
My father's father slipped on stairs and broke his neck. He never fully recovered.
My mother's mother slipped on stairs and broke her hip. She never fully recovered.
My wife and I both have problems with our hips. We'll skip the stairs in retirement, thanks.
My father's father slipped on stairs and broke his neck. He never fully recovered.
My mother's mother slipped on stairs and broke her hip. She never fully recovered.
My wife and I both have problems with our hips. We'll skip the stairs in retirement, thanks.
I have no real quarrel with your approach. As others have pointed out, we can still exercise and keep fit whether we live in a one-story or two-story house. We all have underlying attitudes toward things. If I ever get to the point where I have trouble going up a flight of stairs, I will know my life is over. Being disabled, or crippled, or whatever we want to call it, is totally outside of my self-image, and for me, not being able to walk up a flight of stairs is to be crippled or disabled. Of course I recognize it could happen to me tomorrow - auto accident or various other things. Human existence entails those kinds of risks. I gave up dirt riding (motorcycles) at about age 60 because I had hurt my back and didn't want to risk hurting it again, even though it (the back) is 100% once again. I think most of us become more cautious with age.
I have no real quarrel with your approach. As others have pointed out, we can still exercise and keep fit whether we live in a one-story or two-story house. We all have underlying attitudes toward things. If I ever get to the point where I have trouble going up a flight of stairs, I will know my life is over. Being disabled, or crippled, or whatever we want to call it, is totally outside of my self-image, and for me, not being able to walk up a flight of stairs is to be crippled or disabled. Of course I recognize it could happen to me tomorrow - auto accident or various other things. Human existence entails those kinds of risks. I gave up dirt riding (motorcycles) at about age 60 because I had hurt my back and didn't want to risk hurting it again, even though it (the back) is 100% once again. I think most of us become more cautious with age.
For me "old" age had nothing to do with it. Polio at 5, hit by a car at 8. My right hip was a no go before I was 9. Mrs Tek was thrown from a horse at 19 and it landed on her. Ground her pelvis and hips into the ground.
For me "old" age had nothing to do with it. Polio at 5, hit by a car at 8. My right hip was a no go before I was 9. Mrs Tek was thrown from a horse at 19 and it landed on her. Ground her pelvis and hips into the ground.
I am truly sorry for the pain and suffering that you and your wife went through at such young ages. I consider myself fortunate. Your desire for a house without stairs is understandable; if I were in your shoes I would also have a house without stairs.
On another retirement thread, comment was posted about couple who added on to their house and extended an invitation to their kids to come live with them, care for them as they aged, and then inherit the house. One of the kids took them up on this.
Another way to look at what size house to buy.
That was me (posting). The couple I know rehabbed their two-floor house, added on a two-floor wing, and made themselves a sweet 4-room apt on the first floor of the original house. The kid and his wife who took them up on the deal will look after them in their declining years, and will inherit the house. It is documented legally so the other kids can't protest--they had their chance.
That was me (posting). The couple I know rehabbed their two-floor house, added on a two-floor wing, and made themselves a sweet 4-room apt on the first floor of the original house. The kid and his wife who took them up on the deal will look after them in their declining years, and will inherit the house. It is documented legally so the other kids can't protest--they had their chance.
Been thinking about this all day. What a great idea.
We all have underlying attitudes toward things. If I ever get to the point where I have trouble going up a flight of stairs, I will know my life is over. Being disabled, or crippled, or whatever we want to call it, is totally outside of my self-image, and for me, not being able to walk up a flight of stairs is to be crippled or disabled.
Same here. I've got no family history of bone problems (ie osteoporosis) or broken hips, nor of arthritis of any type. No knee, hip, or spine problems. I've always loved exercising and staying active, and being semi-retired gives me even more time to do cardio, yoga/stretching, and weight lifting. So at 62, my body is in better shape than since I was in my early 30's.
I know more folks who have slipped and fallen on hardwood and tile floors than who have fallen on steps/stairs. Come to think of it, I don't personally know *anyone* who's had a disabling stair injury.
Pets are a big problem, too. Cats and dogs get underfoot and boom! there goes an ankle or leg or hip.
I'm a reference librarian by trade and a few years ago I did some research on home injuries. The #1 accident site, by a mile, is bathrooms.
I'm not giving up Fluffy or Fido or my bathroom or my wonderful 2-story house just because everyone else is afraid they'll fall down. BiscuitPop and I did re-do our (upstairs!) master bath after studying the data. We tore out the shower - removed the door, got rid of the threshold, made it a huge open area, put in non-slip tile everywhere, got rid of the scatter rugs, and added some grab bars.
If Estelle Parsons could run up-and-down a long flight of stairs at 82 (as she did many times weekly while appearing in August: Osage County), then surely I can continue to walk up and down them for another decade or two.
If I sprain an ankle or break my foot or leg or hip or tailbone, I'll just use the downstairs bed and bath till I heal.
On another retirement thread, comment was posted about couple who added on to their house and extended an invitation to their kids to come live with them, care for them as they aged, and then inherit the house. One of the kids took them up on this.
Another way to look at what size house to buy.
EEK!!
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