Housing

Reston was designed from the start to offer housing options that allow anyone to live here for a lifetime regardless of age, health status, income, or race

Reston was designed to offer housing options that allow anyone to live here for a lifetime regardless of age, health status, income, or race

For most people, aging in place means staying in their own home as they grow old regardless of what happens in terms of their health or frailty. The majority of older adults in the U.S. feel that way. That isn’t always easy to do.

Less than 10% of U.S. homes have features that support aging in place.

It’s a good idea to begin planning for aging in place before there’s a crisis that may make it necessary for you to move elsewhere. In other words, you need to plan ahead. What would happen if you could no longer navigate the stairs or you worry about falling in the bathroom. Are there home modifications you can make that would allow you to stay put? You may be lucky that your home may have been designed with aging in mind, but that’s very rare.

The decision to move from your existing home can depend on your need for constant health or long-term care, a wish for more social interaction with those of a similar age (often to combat loneliness), your inability to get around on your own or to use stairs, the danger of falling, affordability, or just the comfort of knowing that where you choose to live is senior friendly and you are in a community where there is plenty of social connection.

The best advice, if you own your home and wish to stay there, is to begin planning early for what you might need or want to do. Our My Aging in Place Housing Plan is a good place to start thinking about what you need to do.

Crisis Planning

In an immediate health crisis that affects your ability to live without support, it may mean you need to find alternative housing. Try filling out our Determining Your Needs form to determine whether it’s time consider such alternatives.

Then, learn about options such as assisted living, memory care, nursing homes.

Accessory Dwelling or Living Units

Fairfax County recently permitted the building of accessory living units (ALUs), which are a second and usually smaller home on the same property with special permission. ADUs can be an attractive option for older adults or persons with disabilities who still have access to property because such units can be built to accommodate those with special needs.


Affordable Housing

IIn Reston, there are a number of options for seniors who need a more affordable, independent living option. These range from subsidized housing that often has long waiting lists to affordable apartments or townhouses. For details, contact Fairfax County’s Office of Redevelopment and Housing Authority.

  • Cornerstones, a Reston nonprofit, owns and manages affordable housing, including some for older adults. 571-323-1420.

  • Reston-based Fellowship Square Foundation provides subsidized housing to those over 65 or people with disabilities who qualify based on income (703) 860-2536:

    • Hunters Wood Fellowship House (703) 620-4450. TTY 800-828-1140

    • Lake Anne House (571) 496-8096. TTY 800-828-1140

While not solely for those over age 55, there are a number of apartments with reasonable rents for those with limited income and resources.

  • HousingApartments.org lists affordable housing in Reston, such as Island Walk Cooperative, which require prospective residents to meet income eligibility requirements and other guidelines specific to a housing authority. It also lists properties that are open to all residents needing affordable housing.

  • Fairfax County provides a listing of affordable rental housing for seniors with vacancies. It also offers a listing of current affordable housing options for all ages.

Age-Restricted Housing

Beyond affordable housing for those with limited income and resources, Reston does not have specific age-restricted developments, but there are several in the D.C. metro area.

Apartment Living

There are a variety of apartment rentals in Reston that are not age or income restricted at many different price ranges. There are some buildings that are not senior specific may have social directors, indoor and outdoor pools, gyms and other amenities attractive to older adults who want to be amongst those of different ages. There are also many options for searching: Zillow, Trulia, Hot Pads to Apartments.com.

Cohousing with Adult Children

While there are no cohousing developments currently in Reston, many older adults 65 to 79 live in their homes with their adult children, while many over age 80 live in the homes of their adult children. Often this is in an “in-law” suite.

Condominiums

Condominium purchases are an attractive option for many older adults. Again, you can find different price ranges. Some options that are popular among those over 55 are The Savoy and Stratford House both located near the Reston Town Center. Consult Zillow or a local realtor for a comprehensive listing of available condos.

Continuing Care/Life Plan Communities

For those with more substantial financial resources, one option is moving to a place where all levels of housing, health and long-term services and support are available. This kind of arrangement allows you to stay in the same community as your personal and medical needs change. While there is no facility in Reston exactly like this, many Reston residents have found a continuing care retirement community /life plan community nearby that meets their needs. In general, these types of facilities demand a buy-in or upfront fee, plus a monthly payment.

  • Leading Age lists not-for-profit CCRCs/Life Plan communities in the area. For example, there are not-for-profit facilities in Ashburn and Alexandria.

  • The Positive Aging Sourcebook also lists Life Plan communities in our region.

  • Newsweek ranks 250 continuing care retirement communities annually and U.S. News lists “best” CCRCs locally based on resident and family satisfaction surveys.

Downsizing

Downsizing may mean giving up a home you’ve lived in for years so that you can age in place. It may be because of too many stairs or a feeling that you and/or your spouse no longer need that much space. The process of selling your house and moving to a smaller residence can be complicated and emotional. The National Church Residences, an Ohio-based nonprofit provider of housing and services for older adults, offers information on how to create a downsizing plan

Members of the National Association of Professional Organizers specialize in helping people with downsizing.

There are a number of places in Reston or Herndon where you can donate possessions such as clothing and furniture, including The Closet of Greater Herndon and the Bargain Loft.

Home Modification

Sometimes the best solution is to modify your home so that you can age in place, even when you need long-term services and support. Many improvements are meant to prevent falls or to enable someone with a disability to move about easily. You can start with filling out questionnaires using My Aging in Place Housing Plan.

  • You may find a home modification and repair provider near you in the Home Modification Information National Directory. For a small monthly fee, you can find vetted remodelers and contractors near you through Consumers Checkbook.

  • Best Pick Reports certifies local home services companies including those that do home remodeling and additions, kitchen and bathroom remodeling or bathtub and shower conversions. It also lists vetted handymen.

  • For external modifications such as a ramp when you live in a place where homeowner associations have architectural rules, you will want to check with your association on whether its design will meet its rules and those of the Reston Association.

  • Fairfax Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) combines all land development-related transactions under one digital “roof.” If you’re making any adjustments to your home, you should register with PLUS by calling (703) 222-0801.

  • Rebuilding Together, a non-profit volunteer driven organization offers free home repairs and modifications for low-income seniors. An online video can help any older homeowner check a home for defects and hazards. Call (703) 528-1999 to learn more

  • National Association of Home Builders certifies aging in place specialists (CAPS). To find a CAPS near you, call 800-368-5242.

  • You can also hire an occupational therapist to make recommendations about what will meet both current and future needs (ask your doctor for a recommendation).

    Find Out More

  • The National Council on Aging has a Home Safety for Older Adults website page that contains a checklist and many valuable tips for ensuring your home is suitable for aging in place.

  • The federal Eldercare Locator offers a Modifying Your Home for Healthy Aging brochure that is filled with helpful information and photos.

  • The National Institute on Aging has a helpful aging in place infographic.

  • AARP’s HomeFit Guide offers ideas on making improvements with a questionnaire that covers kitchens, bathrooms, steps, ramps and similar topics. It also tells you about do-it-yourself fixes and those that require skilled expertise.

  • National Institute on Aging offers a downloadable tip sheet/infographic on making your home safe and accessible. NIA also has a page that describes how to plan to age in place.

  • The federal Centers for Disease Control offers a Home Falls Prevention Checklist that enables you to assess falls risk in your residence.

Home Repairs

Some local organizations will help older homeowners with free minor repairs by vetted and trained volunteers, such as replacing a screen or simple electrical and plumbing repairs. There are also online options, such as NextDoor, to find such help, but be mindful that such websites do not vet individuals.

As noted above, Best Pick Reports does vet its vendors and lists handymen, electricians, plumbers, roofers, foundation repairmen and more. The same is true of Consumers Checkbook.

Dealing with unplanned maintenance on your home can be very expensive and could make it harder to age in place there. You may want to hire a certified home inspector, just as you would when selling your home, to take a hard look and make recommendations

  • Home Repair for the Elderly Program offers minor home repairs for eligible low and moderate income elderly in Fairfax County. The County will provide one week’s crew and up to $500 for materials. (703) 246-5179 TTY711

  • Shepherd’s Center of Northern Virginia has volunteers who will do small repairs at your home. While there is no charge for labor and the program is open to any older adult, you would have to pay for any materials. (703) 291-0067

  • Habitat for Humanity partners with TruBlue Total House Care to provide repairs and/or modifications to low-income individuals over age 62 and live in a single-family home or townhome in Fairfax County. These include but are not limited to threshold replacement, bathroom fixture replacements and grab bar installation.

Homesharing

Homesharing is an arrangement by which two or more people share a dwelling and each person retains their own private space.

Rightsizing or Decluttering

Over time, individuals fill their homes with touching memories connected to possessions that ultimately may grow unwieldy. Reducing clutter also becomes a matter of safety and improved mobility. Professionals can help with decluttering, organizing room by room, drawer by drawer, and/or preparing for a move to a smaller space.

For tips about decluttering, Fairfax County offers help. In the extreme, the situation could be hoarding, which is considered to be a mental illness or a medical condition that may require evaluation and treatment. For more information, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America offers help.

Shelter for the Homeless

Cornerstones, a non-profit organization in Reston, manages a number of programs that help those with low income find housing, food and urgent help. This nonprofit also operates Embry Rucker Shelter, Reston’s homeless shelter, which offers emergency housing for individuals and families. (571) 323-9555

Fairfax County has an office that can help solve problems facing those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Reach the office at (703) 246-5000 | TTY 711.