Page 149 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2023

securely install grab bars later. Use easy to grasp pulls on the cabinets in the bath as well as in the kitchen. Lever handles for doors will be easier to grab too. A chair height toilet is good idea now and later.
The kitchen can be a real challenge if walking and standing become difficult. Round corners on cabinets and islands. Change traditional door front cabinets with drawers under counters, making it easier to reach in and get what you need without standing. Drawer microwave ovens that are installed below the counter are considered a luxury item these days, but they could be the most convenient way to cook in years to come.
Technology continues to amaze with all the smart home gadgets and services there are. Internet connections need
to be a priority. Get used to using your smart phone now as a convenient way to control thermostats, indoor and outdoor lighting, and your home security. That
is just the beginning. Almost everything comes with remote capabilities that you can access from anywhere. Newer range exhaust fans come with remote controls these days! Simplify it all as much as possible with an application that can control multiple devices but don’t shy away from new innovations.
Make your home a haven with less hassle. Reducing maintenance can make life much easier and reduce your need for assistance. Even gardening and yard work that provide such a respite from a busy world now can become difficult at some point. Landscape with native plants that will require a lot less tending when you are ready to travel for extended periods or just do not want to work as hard as you used to.
Life changes. Interests change. The pace of life changes, thank goodness! That is not a bad thing. It’s easy to forget how lucky we are if we get to grow old. And luckier still if we get to experience the process of aging with someone we love. Aging is a fact of life, but it is a state of mind too. Sometimes you are as old as you feel but you are never too old to greet a sunrise with a smile on your face or a sunset with a good friend and
a good drink. Aging gracefully with a positive attitude is a choice. Being able to live in a comfortable place surrounded by good memories, well that is just icing on the cake.
Holly Harrison has been a licensed interior designer for over 35 years. Shannon Stage has spent nearly 20 years in the giftware industry. Together they own Sassy Bird Interiors in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
Sassy Bird Interiors
122 Court St., Bay St. Louis 228.344.3181 | www.sassybirdinteriors.com
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net
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