If you are asking for advice you need to show the house and land..

Busy days here. May take me several postings to provide some thoughts re this question.
Over the years, thanks to word of mouth, I have had the opportunity to garden consult with numerous senior citizens. Many have relocated, preferring to retire in warmer areas, etc. I love this part of the business! Seniors still in good health. Ready to take on various DIY projects. A group of walking historians with keen minds and the sudden realization that they are free to play! They have taught me well.

Uppermost is the sad recollection of how Senior's health can suddenly change; heart attacks, strokes, falls. This is where landscaping thoughts should first be concentrated. Sometime in the future wheelchairs, walkers may be necessary. Hardscape should be planned for ease of entry around the property, onto decks/patios. Minimal grade changes. Accept this premise. It should be the #1 step in your DIY planning.

More, and happier thoughts ahead.

Yes, need to show pictures of the area to be landscaped in order for people to be able to help you.

A few additional thoughts...strongly suggest not posting property pictures on this Forum right now. Time and study, especially of personal preferences, are on your side. Over the years I have discovered that Senior's develop deep interests in specialized areas of horticulture; hybridizing, orchids, grafting, single plant collections, creating garden art, greenhouse activities, bonsai and Japanese gardening, planning and installing hardscapes and walls, organic gardening, composting, vegetables.....etc. ...and....growing hot peppers. Others are content with a well manicured yard and pleasing curb appeal.

Now is the time to list interests and once those are identified planning on paper can begin. My next thoughts will deal with plant selection.

You will see that we will be starting with a VERY clean slate in that we built on a lot that had 3 scrawny trees on it that had to be taken down as they were in the middle of the construction. We have not one plant on our property and are moving from a home with a beautifully landscaped and over planted exterior. So we are excited to make our home cozy and it is not fun seeing it so bare in the winter. More about us: We are 55 and 56 and very healthy and active, so while we are building this house with a design that allows for all things aging and plan for this to be our last home, at present we are ready to work in the dirt. It is my husband's favorite thing to do, to be out in the elements, sweating and enjoying nature. Love your respect for and attention to all things senior, as I do think that is so important in design. Thank you. Here are some pics, but be prepared; it is barren land! The house is not finished yet, no shutters (they will be deep blue) are on yet, etc. But would love to hear any thoughts. We have neighbors on both sides who take pride in their landscaping. One has lots of trees and ferns and a more wooded feel. The other has no large trees and lots of roses etc. THANK YOU! (Will send picture of the rear when I return to the blizzard from out West!)

Here are some suggestions of a basic layout that does not smother the house with plantings, yet is full.

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It looks good Yardvark.

Pressing on with a few thoughts for Senior citizens and landscaping...BE SELFISH! Make a list of your selfish needs before sketching plans.

Design for personal comfort. Probably the #1 idea my customers found that fills a great need during the aging process is adding a sun room or covered, shaded patio area to the house. And all wished they had thought about this in the early stages of landscaping or building.

If privacy is needed, spend the dollars and solve this problem first providing peace of mind and allowing for enjoyment of the property. I have worked with numerous elders rankled by neighbor activity which really affects their health and well being. Some sad stories told. Yet, a reluctance to deal with the problem.

Design for the day when the body begins to announce its age necessitating the need for outside maintenance help. Is it really necessary to plant numerous deciduous trees which mandate heavy leaf raking in the fall? Is a meatball, evergreen shrub planting along the house front which requires precise trimming several times a year necessary? These may be easy and welcome jobs today.....but tomorrow?

This winter season is a good time to study guides for your area and visit the local Extension office learning of shrubs and small trees which do not need pruning. If there is to be a vegetable garden (hopefully) figure out a design which hides the composting area, perhaps a fenced garden on which climbing plants can be secured.

Think. Make lists. Study. Then, design. It makes digging in the dirt a lot more fun.

And, you have permission to include a bit of an herb garden near the kitchen door. This should be a garden with "personality". Found objects, fairy houses (maybe?), kitsch...something that is fun to play with and change. The Grand kids love it!

Yardvaark, I cannot thank you enough for that illustration of your suggestions. How generous of you. I am new to GardenWeb and thank you and Nandina for your help. So much. Great information and perspective and knowledge. I will post a picture of the back, which is completely different from the front, for any insight or ideas or thoughts. I really appreciate all of this! I was at a meeting out West all last week, so apologize for the tardy appreciation.

Dna, you're welcome. With pictures of the back yard, best to start a new thread.

Bummer! The image is gone! It was beautiful. Thanks for your help.

I suspect Yaardvark won't be coming back.

He posted he would be offline for a while in another thread. Something about a computer repair so hopefully he'll be back.