By Michael A. Jones, PREC | Royal LePage Kelowna
You like your home. You know your neighbours. Your routines fit the neighbourhood.
You would rather stay.
That preference deserves a practical plan. What needs to change so home keeps working for you?
In my first article about downsizing, we explored whether moving makes sense. Here, let's explore staying.
Start with an ordinary day
Walk through yesterday, from waking up to bedtime. Where did your home make things harder?
Perhaps you carried laundry down narrow stairs. Maybe the shower felt awkward. Perhaps you avoided driving after dark.
Write down those moments. They give you a useful starting point.
Then consider a temporary change. Could you manage here while recovering from surgery? Where would you sleep? How would you bathe?
A plan should fit both everyday life and disruptions.
Make the routes you use easier
Start at the car and follow your usual path. Check the entrance, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom.
Look for poor lighting, loose rugs, and obstructed walkways. Consider properly installed handrails and bathroom grab bars. Keep frequently used kitchen items within comfortable reach.
The Public Health Agency of Canada's home safety guide provides room-by-room checklists. It covers lighting, stairs, bathrooms, and other everyday hazards.
A bathroom deserves particular attention. Getting into a bathtub may become difficult. A suitable shower arrangement could make daily routines easier.
Ask an occupational therapist about your needs. Have qualified installers assess and complete any necessary work.
An attractive renovation and a useful adaptation can overlap. Start with the function you need.
Look beyond the front door
Consider this: what happens if you stop driving?
Picture a normal week without your car. How would you reach groceries, appointments, friends, and activities?
In the Okanagan, assess the actual route. A nearby shop may involve a steep hill. A short walk may lack a comfortable crossing.
Try the journey yourself. Consider winter conditions and carrying groceries home.
Canada's aging-in-place checklist includes transportation, social connections, and community supports. Staying well involves more than the building.
Protect the relationships and routines you enjoy. Include their transport costs in your plan.
Price the help that makes staying workable
Which household tasks would you happily hand over?
Snow removal, cleaning, gardening, and repairs all deserve consideration. Get actual quotes for the help you need.
Suppose those services total $400 monthly. That becomes $4,800 annually. This is an illustration, not a local price estimate.
Would that spending make home life substantially easier? Could your budget support it alongside taxes and repairs?
Compare that total with the full cost of moving. Include purchase expenses and the replacement home's ongoing costs.
Paying for help may make staying practical. It deserves the same consideration as buying another property.
Check funding before committing to renovations
Some households qualify for help with accessibility adaptations.
BC Housing's Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations program supports eligible households with limited income and assets. A household member must have a permanent disability or loss of ability. The proposed adaptations must support accessibility and independent living.
Age alone does not establish eligibility. Other household and property requirements apply.
Check current eligibility, funding, and application requirements before committing. Confirm whether your proposed work requires a professional assessment.
Build your budget around confirmed assistance.
Agree on what support actually means
"Family will help" needs a little more detail.
Who handles snow after a storm? Who can drive you to an appointment? What happens when that person goes away?
Ask before building your plan around someone else's availability. Discuss paid alternatives where appropriate.
You can welcome family input while setting your own priorities. Explain what you want to preserve. Be specific about where help would be welcome.
For example: "I want to stay near my friends. I would welcome help finding reliable home maintenance."
That gives everyone something practical to work toward.
Make a backup plan while choices remain open
Deciding to stay can include preparing for a future move.
Keep notes about homes and neighbourhoods that might suit you. Identify changes that would prompt another discussion.
Perhaps essential rooms become difficult to access. Perhaps support costs exceed your budget. Maybe you find yourself isolated despite loving the house.
Choose a date to review your plan. Revisit it sooner if circumstances change.
Having another option can make staying feel more secure.
Give your home a plan for the next chapter
Start with three actions.
- Identify the hardest part of your daily routine.
- Get advice or a quote for improving it.
- Write down your transport and household support arrangements.
You do not need every answer today. Start with the issue that matters most.
Your home holds a great deal of your life. Planning helps you decide how it serves the years ahead.
If you're weighing staying against moving, I can help. We can compare the property options and costs. Your priorities set the direction.
Explore the Retirement & Housing in the Okanagan resource hub, or contact Michael to discuss your options.