Living Your Best Life in Your Post-Retirement House
Congratulations, you’re not only retiring, but you’re moving into a home that’s just for you. After years of having to choose your living space to be near the office and quality schools, or needing three bathrooms and a backyard for swing sets and wading pools, you can make this new home all about you. Here are some pro tips from Adult Care Advisors on making that new home the dream home you’ve always wanted.
From the Bottom Up
Hardwood floors can be pretty, but also pretty slick, and if they’re just the least bit damp from a cup of spilled water or some rain that came in with your boots, they can be a slip-and-fall waiting to happen. There are far more elegant carpet choices available now than back when you were first starting out and living with shag rugs. And with just the right thickness of padding, you can go barefootin’ to your heart’s content.
From the Top Down
Once you’ve reached retirement age, you may find you need a little more light than you did when you were buying your first house. Heavy drapes have fallen out of style just in time for you to be chic and modern with the draperies of today, energy-efficient sheers, cotton, and silk. In addition, sunlight bulbs brighten a room even when the real sun has set. They’re still energy efficient and give off a flattering light while providing you with the extra brightness you need.
Coming and Going
Replace those round doorknobs with a more stylish lever type. If you’ve got a bit of arthritis, you’ll find them much easier to use. While you’re thinking of doors, make sure yours is aligned properly so you don’t have to tug at it to get it opened and closed and consider replacing hard to open sliding glass doors with French doors instead.
In and Out
You may find you’ll spend as much time outdoors as you do indoors, now that you have a lot more time to stop and smell the roses – and a garden can be a great retirement pass time. Use a timer to automatically turn your lawn sprinklers off and on so that when you’re away for those short excursions you’ve been saving up for, you won’t come home to a brown lawn and wilting flowers. And when you’re ready to go back inside, don’t underestimate the value of a good doormat with rubber backing, and a bench nearby for removing shoes to keep dirt and pollen out of your home.
Keeping it All Safe
After spending years preparing the perfect house for your retirement, adding and modifying it along the way, it’s natural to experience some anxiety about the wellbeing of your home – which is where a home warranty comes in. As you might imagine, there are lots of options out there, but researching online reviews will help you find the best home warranty to safeguard your investment, and see to it that you’re relaxing in style for years to come.
It’s All About the Calm
More than anything else, you’ll want your home to be a true little oasis, your calm and stress-free bit of retirement heaven. The big three c’s that may indicate your home is giving off some negative energy are clutter, criticism, and complaining. If you notice that your home is harboring negativity, there are ways to eliminate bad vibes. Toss out anything that’s broken, clear out any and all clutter, and do a negative-energy cleanse with a naturopathic combination of lemons, ammonia or white vinegar, and sea salt. After you’ve cleaned and cleared, try performing the ancient practices of first smudging, then placing healing crystals around your home. Read up on how to incorporate Feng Shui – the Chinese practice of bringing harmony into our environment – into your new home to add an extra layer of tranquility and prosperity.
The late, great Fred Rogers said, “Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re really at the beginning of something else.” Here’s to a wonderful new beginning for you, and we hope your new home is the perfect place to start.
Adult Care Advisors is a free referral resource for families needing advice about senior care and assisted living. Call 732-299-5040.