The majority of older people are very interested in living in their own homes while they are growing older. Almost 90 percent of the elderly (those over 65) feel it is important to stay in their own homes, and for a good reason. Home is familiarity, independence, and community.
There are certain factors to consider when planning for aging in place in Bend. What successful aging in place looks like here is dependent on these factors: the high desert climate, the age of the local housing stock, and the distance between rural homes and medical services. Fortunately, many Bend homes can be adapted for comfortable, safe, and independent living for years with the proper preparation.
This guide outlines the steps to consider if you are considering aging in place in Bend, Oregon. Here are tips for planning to live in your home long-term in Central Oregon.
Why Aging in Place Makes Sense in Bend
Bend is a place that provides older adults with a quality of life. A pleasant outdoor recreation, a mild climate and the nearness of an atmosphere of community make a happy old age. It’s like losing more than just a house.
The Financial Case
In Central Oregon, independent living is in the range of 3,700 to 5,400 dollars per month, on average, and assisted living is now 5,500 to 8,900 dollars per month or higher. By comparison, an investment in a home modification of 30,000 dollars can result in a few more years of comfortable independent living – and often for a much lower cost than residential care. For homeowners who already have equity in their home, it may be the most financially viable option to age in place.
The Emotional Case
Routines are where they live at home. It’s where people become friends and where familiar destinations are within reach. Staying at home is very much linked to older people’s identity and well-being.
Assessing Whether Your Bend Home Can Work Long Term
Modifications for long-term aging in place are not necessarily feasible or affordable in all homes. One of the best first steps in the process of aging in place planning in Bend, OR, is to consider what you have.
The Four Red Flags
Senior transition specialists near us point to four big warning signs of a home that may not be viable for the long run.
The step-in struggle. Is the bathtub still the main washing area? The top reason seniors lose their independence is falling in the bathroom. When you’re not quite sure about getting into or out of the bath, it’s a signal.
The vertical barrier. Otherwise, are the laundry room and the main-level bedroom in the same home but on different floors? Many homes with multiple levels can be found in Bend neighborhoods, including Broken Top and Awbrey Butte. The absence of a main-floor bedroom decreases the house’s usability when mobility is impaired.
Maintenance burnout. Are the landscaping duties at a bigger property getting the better of you? Often, people begin to neglect yard maintenance as their priority. The cost of full lawn and maintenance services in Bend is around 400 dollars per month or more.
Distance from services. Medical facilities are 20-40 minutes from rural properties outside of La Pine. In these places, emergency planning is a necessity.
When a Move Might Be Smarter
But sometimes, it’s not even possible to change your current home; sometimes a different home is more appropriate. Sometimes moving is the best option, especially for multi-level properties with no main-floor bedroom, steep properties, and rural properties that are very far from services.
Aging in Place Home Design Principles
Planning for aging in place is best done in advance! If you’re constructing a new home or renovating an existing one, there are a few design traits that are helpful in making a home more flexible for the long haul.
Universal Design in Bend Homes
The idea of universal design is to design environments to be usable by people of all ages and all abilities without appearing institutional or clinical. All of these can help increase resale value and livability in a Bend custom home.
At least 36-inch-wide hallways and doorways provide a more open, spacious atmosphere while allowing for mobility when necessary. The 0-threshold shower is already a feature that is a high-end luxury in bathrooms. Single-level living layouts are open and free-flowing, not confining.
Features Worth Building in Now
These features cost significantly less in a custom home being built in Bend and a major home renovation than as retrofits later.
In the bathroom, blocking in walls before framing will enable the future installation of grab bars without disturbing the current framing. The rocker light switch and lever door handles look stylish and serve the purpose of making the life of the residents easier. Important rooms are located on the main level of the building where the primary suite is located which prevents people from climbing the stairs.
High Impact Home Modifications for Aging in Place
Not all changes involve a complete overhaul. The best changes are simple and inexpensive.
Bathroom Safety Upgrades
The bathroom is the most likely place to fall in the house, and the easiest place to fix. The best retrofit is a grab bar. Make sure to install them near the toilet and in the shower. Do not use suction-cup models. Securely attach wall bars to wall studs.
The structure of the walk-in shower prevents the user from climbing over the edge of the bathtub. Bathtub transfer bench is an inexpensive solution in case a complete renovation is impossible. An effective method of preventing accidents is the use of slip-free flooring and mats. An elevated toilet seat will make it easier for the person to cope with her knees.
A barrier-free shower conversion in Central Oregon is estimated to be $9,500 to $18,000 at 2026 labor costs. It is the most significant bathroom safety modification that can be made.
Entryway and Exterior Access
The first obstacle is the entry, and in the winter, particularly in a Bend climate, that is crucial. One of the most frequent ways for seniors to get seriously hurt in the area is on icy steps.
Step hazards are eliminated by having zero-threshold entries or ramps. Covered entries offer shelter from snow and ice on entry and exit. Wheelchair access is provided with wider doorways. Arthritic hands will find lever-style door hardware more convenient. Remove cold-weather key fumbling.
Kitchen Modifications
Not all full kitchen remodels are required. The little things make a big difference. Put things onto pullout shelves and lazy susans in order not to search for items in the furthest corners of deep cabinets. Place things that you need frequently closer to the counter or to lower shelves. Arthritis or weak grip? Cabinet handles that are lever-style, or D-pull faucet handles, are easier for those with arthritis or less grip strength.
Moving kitchen appliances up from the counter to waist-level to minimize injuries. The countertop appliances are easier to access for people who can’t reach overhead.
Stair Solutions
Accessibility around stairs is a big problem, as getting up and down the stairs becomes difficult with arthritic knees and hips. The 1st floor is the best location to add a Primary Bedroom Suite. A second option is a stairlift or elevator if stairs can’t be avoided.
The price of a stair lift in Central Oregon ranges from 3,200 to 15,000 dollars. The cost of door widening is between $700 and $2500 per door. A zero-step entry or ramp will run $1,500 to $5,000.
Smart Technology for Aging in Place
Technology can enable people to be independent where it wasn’t possible a generation ago. When technology offers a solution that meets the older adult’s physical, health, and social needs, as well as his or her sense of safety, he or she is more likely to embrace the smart home solution.
Voice-activated lights, thermostats, and door locks eliminate a lot of the need to get around for normal tasks. Peace of mind comes with wearable medical alert systems, particularly fall detection watches. Voice-activated, smart curtains and blinds help light rooms and reduce the risk of falls.
Frequent doctor’s office visits can be reduced by telehealth visits. Look in your Medicare or other plan for details on what is covered.
Central Oregon Specific Considerations
The concepts of aging in place in Bend are different than they are in other parts of the country.
Winter Conditions
It is necessary to take care of safety outside, especially in terms of snow, ice, and cold weather in Bend. The good idea is to use anti-slip surfaces that work in freeze-thaw cycles and have a covered entrance and heated pavement.
Wildfire Smoke
High-quality HEPA air filtration systems are required for individuals with respiratory issues who are elderly. In the typical Central Oregon summer, there will be one to three weeks of high smoke. The cost of whole-house HEPA filtration is estimated at $3,000 to 8,000.
Rural Service Access
Rural properties in La Pine, Deschutes County, and Crook County might have a 20-40-minute wait to get medical services. For the outlying areas, emergency planning is of paramount importance.
Older Housing Stock
Built narrow doorways, small bathrooms, and multi-level layouts were used in many homes in the area of La Pine and rural Central Oregon built between the 70s and 90s that will need extensive modification.
Local Resources for Bend Homeowners
Bend has a variety of resources to assist aging in place.
Free Home Safety Assessments
The Bend Fire Department provides a complimentary program – Safety Outreach for Seniors. Volunteers trained in fall and fire prevention risks and maintenance and repair of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors visit homes to identify potential fall and fire risks, check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and provide simple solutions. The program is offered to seniors statewide in Bend and is free.
In Home Care Services
Home care services in Bend cover personal care service, companion service, cooking, medication reminder, and family caregiver respite for the needy. All plans are tailored to each person’s needs and may evolve as needs change.
Contractor Connections
Local real estate specialists and professionals in senior housing transition will help find contractors who do universal design modifications and who got pre-qualified.
The Cost of Aging in Place in Bend
When planning for an older adult’s home, it’s important to budget for possible changes and future services provided in the home.
Home care in Central Oregon averages $25 to $45 an hour. This totals $2,000 to $3,600 a month for 20 hours of work per week. The average homeowner’s insurance policy in Bend is $1,485 per year, but premiums can be higher or lower depending on coverage and risk factors.
It is important to plan. Apply all changes over time, when you are healthy. Action at the start lowers risk and enables you to plan your design and function wisely without the urgency and stress of a crisis.
Final Thoughts on Aging in Place in Bend Oregon
Aging in place in Bend, OR isn’t a whim. It is a plan. The ones who win are the homeowners who act early, honestly check their home, and make changes before it is strictly needed.
Homes with bends can be modified for the long term. The question then is whether your particular residence and place make sense and are feasible for changes. For many, it does. Some find it a better option to find a new home or a senior community that better fits them.
In either case, it’s time to start thinking about it now. Take a fresh look around your house. See the trip hazards, dim hallways, and hard-to-reach shelves. Most of what needs to change is not complicated or costly. The goal is simple. Be safe, be independent, be at home as long as it is working for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Aging in place is the practice of remaining at home as one ages instead of selecting a retirement home or senior living facility. In this method, necessary adjustments in the house and lifestyle are introduced to ensure the maintenance of safety, rights and independence of the individual as the requirements change over time.
Costs vary widely. Bathroom modifications can cost anywhere from $2,500 to $20,000. Stair lifts cost 3,200 to 15,000 dollars. The average wage for home care is $25 to $45 per hour. There are numerous changes that can be implemented gradually over time to allow for investment to be spread out.
The first and foremost thing is arranging for upgrades for bathroom safety. Injuries that take place mainly occur in the bathroom but by using grab rails, walk-in showers, raised toilet seats, and anti-slip flooring, accidents can be avoided. Apart from this, entry modifications, appropriate lighting, and the usage of lever-style door knobs are other modifications needed.
Not all houses can be adapted for practical and economic reasons. Sometimes the time comes when moving to multi-level homes with no main floor bedroom, moving to a home on a steep property, or moving to a property in the countryside that has no services nearby is the answer.
Yes. The Bend Fire Department provides a home safety assessment service called Safety Outreach for Seniors that is free to any home. Volunteers identify fall and fire hazards and provide mitigation recommendations.
Begin a candid inspection of your house. Check for trips, low lighting, and difficult access. Think about an occupational therapist assessment or a senior transition specialist assessment. After that, prioritize changes for risk and cost.
