Stairs for keeping fit and probability of being still mobile to navigate stairs:

I certainly hope to keep reasonably healthy and fit. But I know I don't need to have internal home stairs for this. There's a good chance myself and others in family, could well live long beyond 80 yrs. or so.. Just by the current track record in family recent genes in Canada. But what is sad that my father was quite fit (aside from his cancer) up to 85 yrs. last year. No cardio, respiratory problems at all. Then he had difficulty because of the cancer, chemo weakening him, then later he couldn't use the stairs anymore 4 months before he died (in the hospital, palliative care).

I also think of my partner's mother who walked 2 km. round trip for her own grocery shopping up until she was around 88 yrs. Then she sold her 3 level house, moved into 1 level apartment for seniors before nursing home as last stop. She never learned to drive. (Would have been too nervous for that, anyway.)

These were quite healthy seniors. Now, I feel sorry for a single good friend who is close to 80 yrs. She has lived solo for most of her adult years but is a socialable person. She broke her hip 3 yrs. ago and did heal after rehab. Now she broke her right hand wrist for the 2nd time. She's having a tough time doing some daily stuff. She lives in a different province. She did own a house, then sold to condo (twice) and now end up apartment. She is also reasonably alert and fit....loves to walk. She gave up her car about 5 yrs. ago. This is in Toronto.

Everyone makes a choice. And my choice is not to live in a manner that is more isolated as someone without children, and that requires a car to get life necessities, food and get health care services/ requires a car for people to visit me because of no transit/no sidewalk for safe walking, etc.