Video: Real estate in old age: How do I want to live?

When buying a house or apartment, few people consider that they might not be able to live there well into old age. The dream of growing old in one's own home isn't always realistic. If the property doesn't meet their needs in old age, many seniors have to move to age-appropriate housing.

It usually goes like this: The children grow up and move out. To the parents, their own four walls often seem large and empty. In this situation, some homeowners wonder if their property still suits them. However, this thought often quickly fades. After all, they have spent years creating their home, and many happy memories are associated with it.

Over time, maintaining the property becomes increasingly difficult. Rooms that are hardly ever used need cleaning. Bending over while gardening becomes more strenuous. And after climbing to the top of the stairs to the first floor, you're suddenly more exhausted than before.

At some point, the owners have no choice but to move the bedroom from the first floor to the ground floor because climbing the stairs has become too strenuous. Eventually, they can no longer manage without assistance in their daily lives. If the children cannot provide daily care, for example, because they live far away due to work, often the only remaining option is to move into an age-appropriate facility.

Those who wish to live independently in their later years for as long as possible should start thinking early about their housing options. This doesn't necessarily mean a retirement home. There are many different housing options available for older adults.

You can find out about the different types of housing available for seniors in our video.