Introduction and Recap
As mentioned in previous posts, I'm NOT a Doomsday Prepper. I look at the probability of possible situations and how that situation might effect us. I consider how much a particular 'bad' situation might cost versus how much it might cost to deflect or mitigate that scenario.
I know that sounds abstract so I will try to provide some examples.
Reality vs Anxiety
There are real, or at least probable, threats to our well-being and happiness. AND then there are endless fantasies that are improbable or impossible. Since the fantasies are more dramatic they tend to distract us from reality.
I try to be rational. I don't concern myself with apocalypse scenarios. For example, a Zombie Apocalypse is impossible (0% probability) and a killer asteroid strike cannot be mitigated.... so don't worry.
That said, I try to plan for situations that are inevitable or (at least) probable.
Considering The Inevitable
Aging, for example, is inevitable. Declining health and vigor are an unavoidable part of life, but we can all take steps to sustain health and energy for as long as possible. Don't smoke, try to eat healthy and keep weight under control, avoid stupid accidents, get some exercise.
However, even with our best efforts, aging gradually extracts its due. If you want to sustain a certain level of independence then you have to accept and accommodate the inevitable.
The first design of neoTerra was two-stories with a basement... similar to Chi-Terra. This is the most cost effective way to build since it minimizes foundations and roof which are very expensive.
As we saw elders in our families declining we reconsidered. We studied the concepts of aging-in-place and went back to the drawing board. It set us back a few months in design but neoTerra became a home we could spend 20 or more years in.
Aging-In-Place
I will give you a few small examples from aging-in-place.
www.nia.nih.gov/health/topics/aging-place
Mobility and Accessibility
Many people think that you need to dramatically downsize as you get older. This is not entirely correct.
An older 'family' of two has very different needs than a young family of five. But the the 'elders' may genuinely need almost as much physical space. Fewer bedrooms, perhaps, but more space for movement.
In residential construction, the typical interior doors are 30 inches (sometimes as small as 24"). However, you can't get through a 30" door with a wheel chair or even with a walker.
While I try to avoid thinking about one of us being constrained to a walker, I sure don't want to be forced out of our home. We went back to the drawing board and expanded doorways to 36"... we expanded the hallway from 36" to 48" and we expanded the areas in the kitchen to allow someone with a walker to be self-sufficient.
The most expensive adjustment was the deck. We have 6+ acres of woods so the original deck concept was small.... basically just a balcony. However, if one of us becomes mobility impaired then all that land becomes inaccessible. We more than tripled the size of the deck. There may be a point where we can't walk together down a mountain path, but we will still be able to enjoy each other's company and a mountain sunset.
As mentioned in previous posts, I'm NOT a Doomsday Prepper. I look at the probability of possible situations and how that situation might effect us. I consider how much a particular 'bad' situation might cost versus how much it might cost to deflect or mitigate that scenario.
I know that sounds abstract so I will try to provide some examples.
Reality vs Anxiety
There are real, or at least probable, threats to our well-being and happiness. AND then there are endless fantasies that are improbable or impossible. Since the fantasies are more dramatic they tend to distract us from reality.
I try to be rational. I don't concern myself with apocalypse scenarios. For example, a Zombie Apocalypse is impossible (0% probability) and a killer asteroid strike cannot be mitigated.... so don't worry.
That said, I try to plan for situations that are inevitable or (at least) probable.
Considering The Inevitable
Aging, for example, is inevitable. Declining health and vigor are an unavoidable part of life, but we can all take steps to sustain health and energy for as long as possible. Don't smoke, try to eat healthy and keep weight under control, avoid stupid accidents, get some exercise.
However, even with our best efforts, aging gradually extracts its due. If you want to sustain a certain level of independence then you have to accept and accommodate the inevitable.
The first design of neoTerra was two-stories with a basement... similar to Chi-Terra. This is the most cost effective way to build since it minimizes foundations and roof which are very expensive.
As we saw elders in our families declining we reconsidered. We studied the concepts of aging-in-place and went back to the drawing board. It set us back a few months in design but neoTerra became a home we could spend 20 or more years in.
Aging-In-Place
I will give you a few small examples from aging-in-place.
www.nia.nih.gov/health/topics/aging-place
Mobility and Accessibility
Many people think that you need to dramatically downsize as you get older. This is not entirely correct.
An older 'family' of two has very different needs than a young family of five. But the the 'elders' may genuinely need almost as much physical space. Fewer bedrooms, perhaps, but more space for movement.
In residential construction, the typical interior doors are 30 inches (sometimes as small as 24"). However, you can't get through a 30" door with a wheel chair or even with a walker.
While I try to avoid thinking about one of us being constrained to a walker, I sure don't want to be forced out of our home. We went back to the drawing board and expanded doorways to 36"... we expanded the hallway from 36" to 48" and we expanded the areas in the kitchen to allow someone with a walker to be self-sufficient.
The most expensive adjustment was the deck. We have 6+ acres of woods so the original deck concept was small.... basically just a balcony. However, if one of us becomes mobility impaired then all that land becomes inaccessible. We more than tripled the size of the deck. There may be a point where we can't walk together down a mountain path, but we will still be able to enjoy each other's company and a mountain sunset.
Balance
Household falls are a serious concern, especially for women who tend to develop osteoporosis as they get older. Obviously, stairs are the most dangerous aspect of a home but they can't be eliminated unless you are designing from scratch. But, there are many small things that can be done when remodeling or renovating.
I was surprised to learn how many seniors are injured just trying to operate a two handled faucet, because they needed to keep one hand on the counter of sink to steady themselves. Replacing them with single-handle faucets eliminates one small risk.
Household falls are a serious concern, especially for women who tend to develop osteoporosis as they get older. Obviously, stairs are the most dangerous aspect of a home but they can't be eliminated unless you are designing from scratch. But, there are many small things that can be done when remodeling or renovating.
I was surprised to learn how many seniors are injured just trying to operate a two handled faucet, because they needed to keep one hand on the counter of sink to steady themselves. Replacing them with single-handle faucets eliminates one small risk.
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Having a seat and a grab bar in the shower is another consideration. Many people are injured each year from falls in the shower.
Conclusion
Aside from aging and taxes ... Nothing in life is guaranteed.
The Rational approach is to focus first on situations that are inevitable... and then focus on situations that are probable:
- Shortages
- Inflation
- Recession
- Crime
- Natural disasters
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