New house and new hip

[Francie]

I'm looking to buy a new home right now and immediately afterward I'll have the THR surgery. Should I be concerned with prematurely wearing out the implant by climbing stairs over the next 20-30 years? I am 60 years old. Would it be wiser to buy a one level home to preserve the longevity of the new hip? Or doesn't it make any difference? I don't want to move because the stairs are prematurely wearing out the hip. I don't want a 2nd replacement when I'm an old lady. I have osteoporosis and I don't want to get a 2nd new hip because the first one wore out. Can anyone help me with this decision? There are a whole lot more homes for sale with 2 floors rather than one level. I like climbing stairs as a form of exercise. What should I do? Thank you very much for your opinions. I appreciate your thoughts. Francie

 

[Judles]

Welcome, Francie! I own a 2 story home with full basement and a r story townhouse! Definitely GREAT exercise! That's a decision only YOU can make!! Best of good luck and let us know what you decide!!

 

[Texas]

Hi welcome I have a 2 story as well. Its hard right now with the stairs (I had a knee repl) but I know it well get better. I dont think the stairs will wear the hip out. The stairs did come in handy. I did alot of PT on them..lol...Enjoy your new home, what ever you choose............

 

[Jamie]

Welcome to the forum, Francie. The stairs shouldn't be an issue with your new hip. But, another consideration if you don't want to move again is your general mobility as you age. Maybe you could find a 1 1/2 story home that has the master bedroom downstairs and other rooms upstairs. Or what is called a reverse split with the master on the first level and guest bedroom(s) downstairs with a walkout lower level.

I have heard some of my friends complain a little as they've gotten older in a home with ALL bedrooms upstairs about the up-down they have to do just to put something away in the bedroom.

Ultimately you have to choose what seems right for you, though. How exciting to be getting a new home AND a new hip!!! You must let us know how things go!

 

[Francie]

Thanks for the thoughts. I think I'll first look for a one level, then a master bedroom down, and a two story as the last resort. I appreciate the feedback!

 

[Josephine]

Funny you should say that, Jamie - when I moved here 10 years ago, I was all eager for a nice 3 bed semi and a decent sized garden! I got my wish.

The ground floor has just a lounge and a large kitchen, no other rooms. Upstairs are the bedrooms and the bathroom. Garden front and back. Front garden is pretty much low maintenance. Back garden is about 180sq yds, optimistically divided into two halves, upper is laid to lawn and flower beds, lower supposed to be for vegs.

Well, that was the plan! I now have to have a gardener come every couple of weeks just to keep it tidy and this is yet another year I haven't been able to plant and vegs! Hopefully next year!

But she's dead right, Francie - you do need to think ahead long term! I didn't and my long term plan is now figuring out how to make the back garden as low maintenance as the front!