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Resist! 3 Tips for Those Wanting to Spend the Golden Years at Home

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Let’s be real. Assisted living is not for everyone. Some mature adults prefer residing in their homes over moving to a strange place and adapting to a community of neighbors who they may or may not get along with. However, it is perfectly possible to safely live in your home with limited assistance from a caregiver. Here are three design upgrades needed to do such a thing.

  1. Replace doorknobs and update doorways

Exchange doorknobs that turn with extended levers that you can quickly push down on to enter a room. Upgrading at least the entryway to accommodate wheelchairs and other objects used to assist you in getting around is the best way to secure safety when entering and exiting the family home. On average, an entrance that is at least 36 inches wide is enough room for a wheelchair to get into the home without scraping against the door’s frame. The entryway should also have a ramp installed instead of steps as seniors are more prone to accidents when stairs are the central entrance source to a house. You should remember to add slip-resistant material to the ramp to further decrease the possibility of an incident.

  1. Modify stairways inside of the home

The stairways are often the most dangerous areas of the home for seniors. It is while going up and down steps inside of the home that many mature adults lose their footing and fall. What’s worse about falling down the stairs is the potential severity of such an accident. Stairway incidents have permanently crippled some seniors, and a few elderly individuals have died as a result of injuries sustained in falls involving indoor steps. Seniors can protect themselves by installing sturdy railways that help with regaining footing after missing a step. Investing in a transfer seat may be the best option for elderly individuals wanting to maintain their independence with limited help from caregivers.

  1. Invest in walk-in tubs

A walk-in tub becomes more of a necessity than a luxury during the golden years. The best walk-in tubs fit into the theme of the bathroom instead of standing out. You want visitors to know that your powder room has the latest accessibility features, but you do not want one object to be the center of attraction. The idea of design is to make the entire room functional. Your choice walk-in tub should, therefore, be proficient in use and have a style that contributes to the overall theme of the room without overpowering other accessories in the space.

Bring your fabulous fashion sense to the forefront when you are making your home accessible. No one ever said that safety does not equal style.

40-Something and Saving for Retirement? Here Are 4 Tips

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You know that retirement is inevitable yet you find yourself in the situation of the majority who have failed to save enough to quit the workforce comfortably. How did you get to the place of being 40-something and unprepared? The good news is that there is still time to turn things around in the retirement department when you are in your 40s. Here are four tips for saving for your grand exit from the workforce later in life.

  1. Determine Your Retirement Age

You may have to work a few more years than the savvy young person who started saving in his 20s, but there is still enough time for you to make a decision on what age you would like to retire from the job sector. Many professionals decide to hang up their work hat during their 60s and definitely before turning 70-years-old. Your choice on how long you want to work, however, is entirely dependent on your willingness and health.

  1. Save Aggressively

You are technically behind the pact when you begin saving for retirement in your 40s, which is why your efforts must be intentional and consistent. At least 15 percent of your annual income should be set aside for retirement. Many individuals saving for their exit from the workforce contribute 20 percent of their yearly income to such efforts at age 40 and beyond. It is easiest to accomplish your annual saving goals when you set up automatic transfers from your checking account every pay period. All bonuses and should go towards your retirement fund.

  1. Take Full Advantage of Your Retirement Accounts

Many people leave free money on the table at their exit from the job sector because they are ill-informed about their pension plans. You should take the time to learn every aspect of your retirement accounts and contribute as much as you can to them. Also, make sure that you benefit from an employer’s offer to match your contributions if such incentive is available.

  1. Take Out Life Insurance 

In the event that your spouse and dependents rely on your income to live, it is important that you are covered with life insurance. By taking out a policy, you can be sure that if anything were to happen to you prior to retirement, then your loved ones would still be able to live comfortably.

  1. Decrease Debt

There is little point in you maxing out your retirement accounts and saving like crazy if you maintain debt that will follow you into the golden years. Consider paying off large accounts before you begin saving aggressively so that your frugal efforts can be of greater use to your overall plan.

Living a minimal lifestyle is essential to those getting a late start in their retirement savings. You cannot be a 40-year-old big spender working a traditional job and expect to have $2 million saved when retirement comes. Sacrificing your desires and only spending money on necessities is the best way to prepare for your grand exit from the workforce.