For those who want to spend the rest of their lives in their home or invite an aging family member to live in their home, one of the most important considerations is living on a single floor. Mobility is top of mind when aging in place, and stairs can present an unwelcome hassle. He said buying or owning a home without stairs is certainly feasible, but not always possible. Bonnie Laia real estate agent and associate broker RE/Max Real Estate Center in Brookline.

“Even if you’re looking at Colonial, you’ll want to make sure there’s a full bathroom and bedroom on the first floor,” Lai said. This way you will have everything you need on one level.

Brian Harvey, owner Harvey House Changes In Natick, he helps seniors in the Boston area transform their existing living spaces into retirement-friendly homes.

“In most of our remodels, we use a design technique called Universal Design” said Harvey. “This is actually a design that will serve anyone in the house of any physical capacity.”

When moving to a new home, it can be helpful to look for items that you won’t need to replace. In the bathroom, make sure the doorway is at least 32 inches wide and that the square footage allows for a 60-inch wheelchair turning circle within the room, Harvey said.

Harvey also suggested features like curbless showers so people of all abilities can easily enter. If the home you’re hoping to purchase doesn’t have the accessibility you’re looking for, you’ll want to meet with a contractor to see what types of renovations are possible.

Picture this: It’s a cold February night and freezing rain has turned your driveway into a sheet of ice. Younger homeowners can move in slowly and carefully without slipping, but it won’t be so easy for a 65-year-old.

“Direct entry garage access is huge,” he said Shereen Berlina real estate agent Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Wellesleywhether it benefits homeowners or aging parents.

If you’re in your mid-40s (on the younger end of Generation X), you may not be prioritizing aging in place aspects just yet. But it’s worth upgrading to a home that will allow you and your family to grow together. One way many people are creating multigenerational homes is accessory housing unitsor ADUs. These are detached structures built in backyards that often serve as in-law apartments, but they are not limited to just in-laws. It’s a convenient place for your child to get their bearings after graduating from college, or a convenient place for your parents to live (very) nearby.

“If you have a large enough lot or it meets local zoning rules, you could potentially build an accessory residence,” Lai said. “If people want their children to live with them, that gives them a separate space to be independent but still help each other. So we’re definitely seeing a lot more multi-generational homes with that, and they’re more desirable than they used to be.”

With this in mind, you can look for a home with a lot large enough to build an ADU and focus on towns that already have ADU-friendly building codes.

Harvey also points out a not-so-trendy home style that works particularly well for multigenerational living: split levels.

“There are many two-storey houses where we live. “And they’re great because there are actually two houses: two farmhouses stacked on top of each other,” he said. “The lower level can be made accessible and self-sufficient very quickly.”

Because they are even more attractive now Affordable Housing Act Governor Maura Healey became law in AugustIt allows the construction of ADUs throughout Massachusetts. This also applies to split levels. lower floor can be converted into accessory dwelling unit. “People will be able to add full kitchens to these spaces,” Harvey said.

Open floor plans are a popular layout in updated homes. They are also beneficial for people aging in place, Harvey said.

“For many seniors, open floor plans are great because one of the ideas of Universal Design is perceptible information. If you can see your living room, kitchen, and bathroom from one space, seniors have less confusion when they have an open floor plan and can see them,” he said. “At the same time, lighting fixtures that serve more than one room provide a huge lighting advantage.” Bonus points for being able to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night without stopping at every light switch.

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