Ask Michiganders where they want to spend their later years and most will name the house they already live in. It holds the memories, the neighbors are friends and the mortgage is paid. Making that plan work takes some honest thought about the house itself.
Three things about Michigan homes
- They have basements, and the laundry is usually down there.
- Many have upstairs bedrooms, with no full bath on the main floor.
- Winter makes every outside step a hazard for months.
Stairs
- A stair lift on the main stairs keeps the bedrooms in use
- A second lift on the basement stairs keeps the laundry and storage reachable
- A home elevator serves every level and suits a walker or wheelchair
Entrances
- Make the garage entry your main door and fit a handrail at its steps
- Add a platform lift there if steps are not manageable
- Light the path and arrange reliable snow removal
Bathroom
- Walk-in shower with a seat
- Grab bars
- Raised toilet
Everyday details
- Lever handles
- Brighter lighting
- No loose rugs
- Things you use daily kept between knee and shoulder height
The snowbird question
If you spend winters away, the house still needs to work for the months you are home, and for the day you decide to stop traveling.
When to act
Before a fall, not after. Changes made calmly are better chosen and less expensive than those made in a crisis.
Who can help
Your Area Agency on Aging offers information on services and programs. An occupational therapist can assess your home. For stairs and entrances, call Nationwide Lifts of Michigan on (810) 346-1037 or request a free in-home evaluation.