"I love my home, but I'm worried about those stairs in ten years." This concern is one I hear regularly from Washington public employees approaching retirement. It's a valid concern—our homes that served us well during our working years may present challenges as we age. What many Washington state and local government employees don't realize, however, is that their unique benefits package provides significant advantages when planning to age in place. Here's what public servants in Washington need to know about staying in the home you love. The Financial Reality of Long-Term Care Let's start with some sobering numbers: The average cost of assisted living in Washington now exceeds $6,000 per month, with nursing homes over $12,000 monthly [1]. That translates to more than $70,000 per year just for basic care. But here's the advantage Washington public employees have: Your pension through DRS provides guaranteed lifetime income with cost-of-living adjustments. Whether you're covered under PERS, TRS, LEOFF, PSERS, or another plan, this stable foundation—combined with your DCP savings and PEBB retiree healthcare benefits—creates a financial advantage many private sector workers simply don't have. This guaranteed income stream can make it financially feasible to invest in home modifications rather than being forced to consider institutional care options. The Pacific Northwest Challenge Our region presents unique aging-in-place challenges. Between our rain, occasional snow, and hilly terrain, standard home modification advice doesn't always apply in Washington. Here are modifications that address our specific regional challenges: The Outside-In Strategy An effective approach begins with adapting your home's exterior to our unique climate:
Inside Modifications for Northwest Homes Beyond the standard grab bars and lever handles, consider these adaptations particularly relevant to homes in our region:
The Washington Public Employee Benefit Advantage Here's something many financial advisors miss: Your position as a public employee in Washington provides several unique advantages when funding home modifications:
A Three-Phase Implementation Strategy For Washington public employees planning to age in place, this phased approach can be particularly effective: Phase 1: Pre-Retirement (1-3 years before)
Phase 2: Early Retirement (Years 1-3)
Phase 3: Ongoing Enhancements
Room-by-Room Priorities Bathroom Safety Bathrooms present the highest fall risk in homes. Consider these modifications particularly important:
Kitchen Accessibility Create a kitchen that remains functional as mobility and strength changes occur:
Bedroom Considerations Make your bedroom work for the long term:
Smart Technology Solutions The technology landscape for aging in place has evolved significantly. Consider these options:
Your Action Plan: Next Steps
With thoughtful planning, you can create a home environment that supports your independence and quality of life throughout retirement, while protecting your hard-earned benefits from being drained by institutional care costs. Sources [1] Genworth Cost of Care Survey, 2025 [2] National Association of Home Builders Aging-in-Place Remodeling Report [3] AARP Home Modification Guidelines [4] Washington State Housing Finance Commission Senior Programs Guide [5] Smart Home Technology for Aging in Place Study, 2025 [6] CDC Home Safety for Older Adults Report [7] Universal Design Living Laboratory Research Study [8] National Institute on Aging Housing Report, 2025 -Seth Deal
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AuthorsBob Deal is a CPA with over 30 years of experience and been a financial planner for 25 years. Archives
April 2025
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