3 Things Responsible Retirees Always Buy for Their House
Written by
Josephine Nesbit
Edited by
Amen Oyiboke
Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
Investing in your home is never a bad idea, especially in retirement when unexpected repairs and safety issues can add up. The right items and upgrades can protect your budget and help you stay comfortable, independent and safe as you age in place.
According to a recent poll from the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation (IHPI), 46% of adults age 65 and older have taken steps to “age in place,” either by modifying their home or moving to a more age-friendly place.
Smart Home Security System
Smart home security systems, which include devices like doorbell cameras, smart locks, motion sensors and connected smoke alarms, connect to your home’s internet network and give retirees a way to monitor and protect their homes while aging in place.
Anne Madison, a 73-year-old Baltimore resident, has a growing collection of smart home devices. She told Wirecutter that she believes these devices are helping to keep her independent and out of an assisted living or nursing home facility.
Wirecutter recommends starting small and focusing on the devices you’ll get the most use out of and feel comfortable with. If you don’t know how to install them yourself, Wirecutter also suggested installation assistance. You can control all of your devices through one app, such as Alexa, Google Home or Apple Home.
Fall Prevention Home Modifications
Safety upgrades can make a significant difference for retirees, especially since falls are one of the biggest health risks for older adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 4 adults age 65 and older falls each year. These incidents result in millions of emergency room visits and about 1 million fall-related hospitalizations annually, another CDC report noted. Falls are also the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries.
The National Council on Aging recommends home updates like adding a shower seat or grab bar, replacing bulbs with bright non-glare lighting, keeping a sturdy chair in the bedroom for dressing, clearing clutter and loose rugs from walkways, and storing everyday items at waist level to help reduce fall risks at home.
Backup Power Source
In July, the Department of Energy warned that blackouts could increase 100-fold by 2030, and researchers at Texas A&M have noted a 20% annual increase in outage severity since 2019.
A power outage can be life-threatening for older adults. Extreme heat waves and winter storms can mean losing access to heating, cooling and medical equipment. This is why investing in a backup power source, like a portable generator, a whole-home unit or a battery backup system, can help keep essential devices running during an emergency.
More From GOBankingRates
