With rapidly changing demographics and over 18% of Canada’s population being 65 years of age and older, one consistency is the desire of most older adults to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. Aging in place, a growing topic of discussion with an aging population, means having the health and social support and services you need to live safely and independently in your home or your community for as long as you wish and are able. There are many factors to consider when planning for aging in place, but thinking about your home and community are two key areas of life that must be evaluated.
Thinking about your home
When we talk about aging in place, it’s key that we talk about aging in the right place. Assessing your home to determine if it can meet your changing needs as you age is a key step in planning for independence. While some may decide to renovate their home to delay the need for a future move, some may come to the conclusion that their home no longer meets their needs to live safely and independently.
There has long been a demand for more bungalows in our community, but with restrictions on lot sizes, finding lots large enough to accommodate can be a challenge. Terra View Homes offers three versatile floorplan options, intended for main floor living, to help fill the needs of buyers searching for a home that supports aging in place.
The Mayberry
A true bungalow, the Mayberry can be built with two or three bedrooms and two full bathrooms on the main floor — both providing the option for a finished basement with large family room and additional bedroom, or a legal one bedroom apartment. This floorplan ticks all the boxes, from a mudroom off the 2-car garage, to main floor laundry and walk-in pantry (cleverly hidden behind the kitchen). Available for 45 foot lots at the minimum.
The Priory
The Priory offers a flexible floorplan that can be constructed in various ways and truly tailored to buyer preferences. This layout boasts a main floor primary bedroom, main floor laundry and double car garage. In addition, it provides the option for additional bedrooms to be constructed in the large basement, or in the second floor loft. Designed with affordability in mind, the Priory allows buyers to have the basement prepared to be finished, but left for future family expansion or needs. Available for 40 foot lots.
The Sydney
Terra View’s newest floorplan offers a versatile bungaloft design. This home lives like a bungalow, with the primary bedroom and double car garage accessible on the main floor. The second floor can be designed with 2 bedrooms plus a bonus room or 3 large bedrooms. The Sydney can also be built with the additional bedrooms located in the large basement space, or designed to accommodate a legal 2 bedroom basement unit. Available for 36 foot lots.
Thinking about your community
The community you live in can equally impact your ability to live independently. Considering age-friendly communities is an integral part of aging in place. These communities are designed to encourage residents to stay active and engaged, and make it easy to do so with features such as well-maintained roads, sidewalks, benches and parks, accessible buildings, and access to public transportation.
Terra View Homes is proud to be building two Guelph communities that support aging in place principles — Hart Village in the South end and NiMa Trails in North Guelph. Both communities are centrally located to all major public transportation routes and are located in unique pockets of the city that have all the everyday amenities one would need. Designed with community park spaces and located close to community trail networks, these developments also offer the best of the great outdoors for residents.
Aging in the right place can be attainable when a space is built for comfort, safety, and accessibility for many years to come. At Terra View Homes, we are dedicated to helping our homeowners plan for the future today to help them live the life they want tomorrow.
To speak with Terra View about aging in place and building your forever home, contact Shelley Barclay, Sales Representative at [email protected] or 519-249-9356.
For more information, visit: https://www.terra-view.com/.