Simple home improvements can create a home for a lifetime

Spring means the home improvement stores will begin to fill with people like myself, getting the supplies we need for the new deck or house renovation project. At certain stages in our lives, these do-it-yourself hobbies take greater demands of time and energy. We juggle our creative visions, growing families, and the “if it’s not one thing, it’s another” maintenance list. Investing in improvements that will last and work at all stages of life, may mean staying in our homes and local neighborhoods longer.

There are tax breaks for making accessibility or environmental improvements. In my own home, renovations included considerations in our budget for more sustainable solutions or simple adjustments during design to make spaces more accessible. It's always easier, not to mention cheaper, to think about in the original construction instead of a retrofit.

The AARP HomeFit workshop teaches simple modifications requiring no construction expertise, like adding night lights, lever door handles, or non-slip features to stairways. These  inexpensive modifications can make our living environment easier and safer as we age. Other tips for each room in the house are practical designs, which look good and are helpful for navigating with restricted mobility, and may require working with a contractor or specialist to put in place.

Sometimes a lack of finances, health issues, or not having enough time – or maybe all three – may place home modifications or repairs at the bottom of the list. An AARP livable community survey* conducted with people 50+ in Eugene and Springfield found home repair and outdoor maintenance as the two top gaps in community services, showing high importance for these services and a lack of awareness if any services exist to fill the need.

The difficulty of paying for deferred (and usually more costly) maintenance can force some to consider tapping into their precious savings or taking a home equity loan, versus just leaving their home in continued disrepair. None are good paths, especially if already strapped for income with the home as a main asset in retirement. In my county, 43% of people, including those 50+, are identified as employed but with limited assets due to constrained incomes.

Emergency home repair assistance, often run by cities, is only able to address those most in need. Shopping local businesses that salvage and recycle building materials can help keep project costs down if you have the time to search and are creative. As a teenager, I helped on various home repair projects with my dad, and later volunteered with a nationwide non-profit to help make low income residents homes warmer, safer, and drier. What a positive difference this can make.

As spring rolls around this year, let’s think of big and small ways to change our do-it-yourself culture into a do-it-together community. Happy Hammering!

If you would like to request a AARP HomeFit workshop for your group, contact AARP Oregon office with details. Learn more about AARP HomeFit at: www.aarp.org/homefit. Request a workshop at oraarp@aarp.org

AARP Oregon and United Way Lane County are in collaboration on addressing concerns of the asset-limited, income-constrained, employed in our communities. Learn more about the ALICE project at: www.unitedwayalice.org

Road to Livability - survey of Springfield, Oregon

Road to Livability - survey of Eugene, Oregon

[Photo: AARP HomeFit]