2019-05-01+Kiplingers+Personal+Finance

66 KIPLINGER’S PERSONAL FINANCE^ 05/2019

LIVING

needs. For example, only one-third have basic accessibility

features, such as a no-step entry and a bedroom and full

bath on the entry level, according to a report by the Joint

Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University.

Dan Bawden, owner of Legal Eagle Contractors, in Hous-

ton, is a certified aging-in-place specialist. He says that many

of his baby boomer clients, and even some Gen Xers, are

asking for advice about remodeling features that will make

their homes more user-friendly and livable for the long run.

In the accompanying illustrations, we’ve highlighted

many potential improvements, from small to large, that

you can do one by one, by room or all at once. (For a com-

prehensive list, search for “Aging-in-Place Remodeling

Checklist” at http://www.nahb.org.)

TAKE INVENTORY

Walk around your home and note the things that are al-

ready difficult for you to navigate. If you’re in good health

and it’s hard to imagine the loss of mobility, think of re-

turning home after surgery on crutches or with a walker

or in a wheelchair. Can you get into your house? Can you

access your bathroom? In many cases, the answer will be no.

LIVING

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