When Amy Potter Lamberth and her husband, Lewis, renovated a Lake Martin home where they expect to live out their retirement, the certified aging-in-place consultant focused on future practicality as well as current lifestyle needs.

“None of us likes to think about aging. In our minds, we’re so much younger than our physical bodies, but be honest with yourself. The way things are today isn’t the way they will be in five, 10 or 20 years. If you are building or renovating a house for your retirement years, think with a mindset of ‘What does this look like if I have a physical disability? A mental disability? Can I access things?’” Lamberth said. “You may have to make some changes moving forward, so do you do it now or retrofit later? It’s so much easier if you do it initially, or at least prepare for that.