Seeking a New RA-Friendly House
I’ve moved a lot in my life - mostly by choice, and often because I was convinced I would feel better somewhere warmer, dryer, or just different. It helped that I had an easy job to do this - as a healthcare professional, job security is not something you need to worry about. For most of my life when I would look for housing, I would be most concerned with how expensive the place was and if it was convenient enough for work.
But about 10 years ago, I started being more realistic with myself about my needs. This happened mostly because I became completely disabled, which meant that I couldn’t fool myself into thinking it was okay that I had to grunt loudly every time I turned on the 50-year-old faucet, hoping the sound effect would make me stronger.
Challenges of living into a condo
Two years ago, I congratulated myself for buying a condo. "I won’t have to take care of the yard or shovel snow," I said happily, reiterating the words I’d heard other people say when they were trying to help me figure out my next move.
I moved in and waited for the snow to fly. Then, I started waiting for the snowplow, for the broken gate to be fixed, and struggled with the heavy trash can lid, thinking to myself that maybe condo life wasn’t my solution.
The final straw was a broken hip. The day my home health physical therapist (PT) gamely removed my bathroom door so a walker could fit was the day I started looking around and thinking, "Was this the best way for me to age in a place?"
Building an accessible,arthritis-friendly house
I happened upon a local builder who just happened to be building a one-story, small house about a mile from my condo, and I made another big decision. So, 2 months later, I’m about to leave my condo and embark upon a scary but exciting prospect: I will have a house that I can customize to make it more joint-friendly.
As an occupational therapist, one would think this an easy task, but what I’ve realized is that, just like doctors can make the worst patients, I have a lot of blind spots about my true needs. I know why: living with anything from the age of 2 years old, you adapt unconsciously to the pain and weakness in all sorts of ways. I carried bags with my forearms long before I was taught this as a joint protection technique just because it makes sense.
How can I make the most comfortable home for myself?
But now, as I make my wish list, I’m wondering what are the best ways for me to use the money I have to make the most comfortable home I can.
I know that lever handles will go on everything, that I will need pull-out drawers in the kitchen so I don’t have to strain my neck, higher toilet seats, and grab bars. I’m going to give myself the luxury of a heat lamp in the bathroom for the cold Colorado days, but other than that I’ve started wracking my brain for what I’ve forgotten.
So, any ideas? Is there something you have or have upgraded in your house that makes life easier? Thanks in advance for chiming in!
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