Smart Senior

Independent Living: Age in Place

There is a new term in town.  It is called “aging in place,” and it actually acknowledges that most people want to live out their lives in their own homes.  Aging in place isn’t a new concept; it is more like an old tradition reinvented.  We got sidetracked for awhile when someone decided that tucking seniors away in a “rest home” was the cool thing to do.  Well, it’s not cool anymore. Seniors today are fighting back.  Many of them have decided that they don’t want to be tucked away with a bunch of “old people”; they want to be surrounded by young life and energy.   They want to keep their own comfortably worn furniture, travel familiar streets, go to the same churches, frequent the same libraries and go to a grocery stores where everyone knows their name. This doesn’t seem strange to me. 

Still, it isn’t as easy as just refusing to move.  Older houses are fraught with dangers waiting to trip up the unwary suspect.  You may still be of sound mind and have a relatively sound body, but you are not going to be able to do the same things that you did before.  That’s just the way it is.  Stairs will be harder to climb, your balance isn’t quite what it used to be and arthritis may make it difficult to get a good grip on things.  These are more than minor inconveniences, but you will be happy to know that they are not insurmountable obstacles.

Now is the time, before problems occur, to ask yourself a few questions

• How important is it to remain close to family and friends?
• How important is it to frequent the same restaurants, stores and concert halls?
• Are you willing to spend the money that you saved for the” inevitable” to make your home a safe and comfortable place to live?
• Would you truly hate living in a new place or is it just fear of the unknown that keeps you from moving elsewhere?

What are your plans?  You need a plan if you are going to keep moving forward and remain in control of your life.  Do you want your home to be a place where you will spend the rest of your life or are you just going to wait and see what happens?  Are you willing to spend some of that nest egg to ensure your safety and well being?   How much can you afford to spend on universal design home modifications?  Are you willing to modify your home or do you think it is a waste of time and money?    I keep inserting that last question because a lot of people sabotage their efforts because they don’t want to spend the money.  The option of aging in place can be yours, but you must think things through.  It is all about planning ahead with an eye on prevention.

The book titled “Stages of Senior Care” by Paul and Lori Hogan talks about the advantages and disadvantages of aging in place, as well as many other senior care options. The book is filled with valuable reference material and deserves a space on your bookshelf.  A few of the advantages sited are:

• There is much to be said about staying in familiar surroundings
• Strengthens families if they come together to care for each other
• Costs less than other options
• Promotes physical and mental well-being

The disadvantages focus more on you.  Successful aging in place often hinges on what are willing to spend on home equipment and home modifications.  The cost will range from moderate to high, depending on whether you want to piece things together yourself or have a professional redesign your whole house.   It is best if you plan ahead, before a crisis situation occurs.  If you refuse to consider safety issues you are putting yourself at risk for falls and injuries, and you know that it will end badly.  If you want to stay in your own home you need to bend a little.  Modifications and technology can be your best friends. 

 

 

Senior Living: Ergonomics Can Make A Difference

Getting older isn’t easy.  The degenerative changes that occur with aging can make life difficult, and a little fine tuning may be necessary to help you remain independent.   We are very fortunate that experts in the field of ergonomics have been working hard to make sure that this will happen.    We don’t like to associate old age with disability but research clearly indicates that hand grip strength, muscle mass,  range of motion and flexibility decrease after the age of 45.  If you have trouble walking, bending, gardening, carrying groceries, grooming, dressing, driving or doing your housework, you do indeed have a disability.  Thankfully there are products on the market that are designed to improve your comfort level, hone in on safety issues and make you the same efficient and proficient person that you have always been.

There is no cure for old age, arthritis, or many other chronic conditions associated with age, but managing the disease and controlling your environment can do much to make your situation tolerable.  Ergonomics may be the answer.  Design specialists are working on ways to fine tune products that will make life easier for you.  Ergonomics means more than a comfortable office chair; it is about improving the tools that you use to perform a variety of tasks.  Ergonomics is for everyone, whether you have a disability or not.

As people age or adjust to a new diagnosis, keeping them in their homes becomes quite a challenge.   Many people have trouble walking and/or using the stairs.  Seeing so many people buzz around in scooter chairs these days has been quite an eye opener.  It tells us that a lot of people have mobility issues and it also tells how much they enjoy being out in the world.   We now appreciate that people using scooters, wheelchairs, canes, crutches and walkers are a part of our lives.  Too many people have been forced in care receiving situations because they could not maneuver around their own homes.  If you are independently mobile I hope you know how lucky you are.

The judicious use of ergonomic tools and ideas may determine whether you can remain in your own home.  At the very least your home should have:

• At least one entrance without a step
• A bathroom on the entry level
• Accessible electrical outlets and light controls
• An interior door at least 32 inches wide

Ergonomics isn’t all about remodeling though.  If you do a little homework and ask questions when you shop, you can find many tools and appliances that will make life easier for you.   Many of them will be advertized as such and almost all sales people will be familiar with ergonomic design.  It is no longer a big mystery.  Appliances, gardening tools, door knobs, and special steering wheels for your car are only few of many items that fall in this category.   Ergonomic design can help you live independently.  Life is good but it isn’t always easy.   Shop wisely, ask questions, and try out the many marvelous products available to you.

 

 

 

Senior Housing: The Granny Flat or MedCottages as Housing Options

The idea of an accessory unit or backyard housing has been around for quite awhile.  It is a viable housing option for young people returning home or for seniors who want to be closer to their extended families.   Zoning ordinances have relaxed a little and this particular trend continues to gain momentum.    Commonly known as the “Granny Flat” or the “Mother-in-Law Apartment,” an accessory unit allows a young adult or a senior live in a place of their own.  A backyard home allows a sense of independence and freedom that would not be possible under other circumstances.   An accessory unit provides living quarters with separate cooking, sleeping and bathroom facilities, but are attached or detached from the primary family home.  Everyone has their own space, which has become a very important concept these days, while enjoying the benefits of being part of an extended family.

A number of housing options are now available for the adventuresome senior, but backyard housing has a special place in my heart.  Studies show that people place great value on their independence, and living alone is a price that they are willing to pay.    We have gone a bit overboard with the independence thing (not that this is necessarily a bad thing), but when it comes down to it, at the end of the day it is nice to be close to someone who cares about you.   Many seniors actively resist leaving their own place to move in with family or into any care giving situation.  Despite this resistance most are okay with being close, as long as it isn’t too close or isn’t all of the time.    Backyard housing may be the solution.   With backyard housing you can be as independent as you want but you will always have someone nearby who cares about you.   Kelly Greene (The Wall Street Journal: Saturday/Sunday, March 17-18, 2012) wrote about alternate housing options for seniors.  One of the options she mentioned was a MedCottage.  I found this concept appealing and decided to read more about it.    A MedCottage is a small backyard housing unit with a “smart home” design. The house is not only barrier free, but is outfitted so that the person living there can be monitored on-line. Think about how you would like to experience the comforts of a home, proximity to loved ones, and the technology that can make it possible.   I think the idea of a “smart home” is rather exciting.  In other words your backyard abode can be more than just a temporary place to live, and is less expensive than doing extensive remodeling in order to make the primary home senior friendly.  The MedCottage is designed with special features to promote independence while providing a safe environment.   MedCottage is being promoted as a unique and less expensive alternative to living in a care facility.  It is comforting to know that developers are starting to offer housing options designed to meet the changing needs of today’s seniors.    I am hoping that this idea catches on because I think I could live it.

Senior Living: A Home of Your Own

Have you ever really had a place of your own?  How often in the past did you hunt for a house based solely on what school district it was in, whether it was close to the where you worked, or if it had a yard or enough bedrooms?  This was all well and good when you were in your 30s or 40s but what about now?  Home was where your family was and you bought your house or your condo based on their needs.   All of your choices, up until now, revolved around the other people in your life.  

 If you were lucky you were able to build your house from scratch, but most of us bought from previous owners and were reasonably content with our decisions.  If the house was structurally sound we managed with a fresh coat of paint or perhaps a new roof.  If you were dreadfully creative you might have been able to create the home of your dreams, but the rest of us never seemed to have time to get into knocking out walls or widening staircases. The years went by too quickly.

Some people become so attached to their homes and their neighborhoods that they can not imagine moving anywhere else.   Others are either extremely practical or are true “free spirits” who don’t care where they live as long as they have a roof over their heads.   We moved often, so starting over every few years was what we did.  There are pro’s and con’s to both lifestyles, but a nomadic existence does make it easier to make changes.   I can speak from experience when I say that moving often is not such a bad thing.  At the very least it teaches you how to start over, meet new people and explore more options.

Regardless of your reasoning, it is time for you to embrace retirement and figure out where you want to live.  The house (or apartment or condominium) is yours now to do with as you please.  This could very well be your last home so do whatever it takes to make it a safe and comfortable place to live.  Before making any decisions, consider what your home really means to you.  Is it just a place to sleep and eat or is it a place where you can entertain friends and let your hair down.   Sharon B. Siepel (Essential Survival Guide to Living on Your Own) writes about the importance of considering your personal priorities.  Decide what is important to you right now.

As you get older you know that convenience, practically and location are important. Safety features, comfort, spacious floor plans, practical furnishings with minimum upkeep are more important than modern art and shiny floors.    Affordability goes without saying. Whether you are considering a senior apartment, a retirement community, a new house, or renovating the family home, remember that where you live goes beyond just having a place to sleep.

Articles on gerontology always remind us to consider current and anticipated needs.  According to Karen Brown Wilson in an article written for (Generations: Winter 2005/2006), affordability, accessibility, and acceptability are the big “A’s” to keep in mind when deciding on a place to live.  We all like to think that we are invincible and will be able to live our lives without services, and many older people are,  but be sure that if the need presents itself that you are somewhere where help is available.

 

Senior Living: A Place To Live

The best way to get out of a rut is to get a place of your own.  Some people want to downsize into a smaller house or an apartment, while others prefer to stay in their family home.  Whatever your choice, now is the time to make your place your own.   Few of us have had the time, the money, or the energy to create the home of our dreams.  Life happened and it was hard enough just keeping the house reasonably clean and tidy.   The decorating schemes featured in glossy magazines and on movie sets were never going to happen anyway.  I can think of a hundred different things that I would do differently if I were starting over again, but do I have the courage to make it happen? 

Perhaps it doesn’t matter.  Some folks are “house proud” and want their homes to reflect something more than just being a place to sleep and eat.  The rest of us might be happy to just have a roof over our heads.   How about you?  Do you want a home that is a showplace or one that looks “lived in”?   You are on your own now and this may be your last chance.

 If you want your home to reflect who you are, now is the time.  Sharon B. Siepel (Essential Survival Guide to Living on Your Own) asks you to decide what is most important to you?   Think in terms of modern, old fashioned, accessible, clean, convenient, comfortable, practical, or light and airy.  Assess what you have and what you want to have, and go from there.

If you are retired you will be spending more time at home, which means it should be something that makes you happy.   If you have always wanted white cabinets, cheery yellow walls, more windows, or French doors that open to the patio, you should go for it.  Make your home just right for you.

Ideally your home should be a reflection of who you are and what you value.  Treat yourself well.  Your home should be your sanctuary.   I read somewhere about using your five senses (sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste) as your guideline.  Sounds rather peaceful and Zen doesn’t it?    A welcoming color, a decorative mat or flowering plants all say “welcome home” when you walk through the door.  Start with your foyer and move through your home.  It should be restful and inviting.  Favorite pieces or artwork, mirrors, comfortable furniture and a lot of light can make it that way for you.

The article went on to discuss how sound, smell, and tactile sensations can delight your senses.  There is no right or wrong.  Your home should be a place that pleases you, but you don’t want to be such a slave to fashion that you lose your sense of adventure.   Doesn’t the thought of birds at a feeder, comfortable furniture, flowers, soft carpets, and silky bed sheets tempt you just a little?  That isn’t to say that being surrounded by your own projects isn’t good too.  It is your place after all, go for it!

Senior Living: Living Alone and Loving It

  Living alone and liking it sounds easy enough, but society still seems to feel that you can’t be truly happy unless you are in a relationship.   Nevertheless, statistics tell us that “singles” make up a rapidly growing segment of the population.  Your reasons for embracing a single lifestyle will remain personal, but like it or not you will be faced with making decisions that were previously shared.  A new job, divorce, death of a spouse, empty nest, or not marrying by choice will have separated you from the herd, so to speak.  The first decision of course, will be to decide if you are going to withdraw into a shell or if you are going to embrace your new circumstances.

Getting your affairs in order and deciding if you are going to move, or reinvent your current living arrangements, will be high on your list.   Whether you downsize into an apartment, condominium or smaller house is up to you.  Some people thrive when surrounded by everything familiar and some do not.  Nearly everyone hates something about their current living situation. You may want more windows, a patio, big rooms instead of small, or you may want to paint everything a cheery yellow.  Be mindful of accessibility issues when you redo your home, but take some time to turn it into something you truly love.  .

So what comes next?  It may be time for list making and a great deal of reflection, but don’t take too long.  As you know, inertia sets in rather quickly and that can take the fun out of just about anything. Sooner or later you will have to get down to the “nitty gritty” of everyday living.  Living on your own is all about making decisions.  Big decisions reflect where and how you will live, but the smaller ones are important too.  By small we are talking about activities of daily living.  You know things like what to have for breakfast this morning or how to adjust to cooking for one.

Age doesn’t have anything to do with having dreams, goals, and plans.  On the inside you don’t feel any older than you did when you were 26, so stop acting like age matters so much.  Studies show that older adults are actually more engaged in everyday goal pursuits than younger adults.  You are not too old to start over.   Goals are dreams written on paper, so get your note pad right now.   I know you still have goals because I do.  Your first goal may be as basic as getting a physical exam.  Learn everything you can about aging and conditions that may be pertinent to your situation (that’s a nice way of saying deal with whatever might be wrong with you), and then formulate a wellness-fitness plan.   

After years of worrying about everyone else, it is time to put your own well-being first.  Once you know what you have to work with physically you can start thinking about the dreams and aspirations that have lurked in the back of your mind since childhood days.   Did you like to write stories or was art really fun when you took it in high school?   Did you want to hike the Appalachian Trail before you settled down, and then never did?   A lot of dreams get lost in the shuffle, but now is your time.   Oh I know!  I have trucked a set of classics from one side of the country to the other but have yet to read them.  Actually I started a few times but thought they were pretty boring.  Maybe the time just wasn’t right.  Perhaps a class on appreciating the classics might make a difference.   Once the list is made, you can think about what you need to do to make your dreams come true.   Start by visiting your local Community College or Senior Center.   Plan your new life as diligently as you did when you moved out of your comfort zone to go away to college the first time.  You are still the same person.  Find something interesting, exciting and purposeful to do, no matter what your age.

 Sharon B. Siepel, the author of “Survival Guide to Living on Your Own” put together a great reference book.  The author covers everything you need to know about living on your own without boring you to tears. She talks about everything from getting through the day to making a will.

 

Independent Living: Aging In Place

 Some people thrive in retirement communities, but more and more people of our generation are talking about aging in place.  We have all heard stories about stubborn old folks digging in their heels and refusing to move.  Ultimately something horrible happens and the decision is taken away from them.

So many people have decided that they want to stay in their own homes that the movement has actually been given a name.  This movement is now known as aging in place.   Aging in place means growing old in a place where you can be surrounded by people and things that are familiar to you. As long as health and finances permit, most people will do whatever it takes to remain independent. What it doesn’t mean is that you can act like a two year old because you think being stubborn is cool.   If you think things through, you might still be able to call the shots.   Other people will be more supportive of your decision if they feel that you have given it a lot of thought. 

Aging in place doesn’t necessarily mean staying in the family home.  In some instances relocating to be near family members becomes necessary.  A good support system is paramount at times like this.  You will have options, although you might not be pleased with all of them.  Your biggest choice is going to be where, how and with whom you are going to live.   Examine all of your options and be open to any ideas that sound good to you.  Take into consideration the need for in-home care, retirement communities, assisted-living facilities or adult family homes.  On a cozier note, you might consider living with or near other family members.  If you want to age in place you need a good support system.

Aging in place usually isn’t something that happens automatically. Aging in place requires planning.  Do your homework and study as hard for this eventuality as you did when you were making a career choice.  First of all, have you been to a doctor lately?  I don’t know about your parents but mine didn’t go to the doctor unless they were really sick. I still have friends who do not go to the doctor unless they are on deaths door.  This is not a good thing.  I think we are very fortunate that preventive health care has become a mainstay in our society.  Good health is a basic need and a criterion for living out your life on your terms.  If you are not healthy you will not be able to participate in this movement.   Chronic disease and lack of stamina are the most common reason for failure to thrive.  If you exercise, eat properly and take advantage of all that preventive health care has to offer, you have taken the first step. The second step is getting help to modify your home.  It is hard to spend the money on things that you think you don’t need, but most of our homes are not suitable for meeting our changing needs.  Relocating or modify your home to make it safe and comfortable can make aging in place a reality.   If you are active, involved and willing to accept help, you can make this happen.

Senior Living: Remodeling: An Open Floor Plan For Older Homes

 It is true that younger people may buy older homes to refinish and restore, but often older homes are just indicative of older home owners.  Older homes, and the floor styles popular at the time, were not built to reflect the needs of an aging population.  Deciding how to redesign and update an older building is an issue that needs to be examined if you plan to remain in the family home.

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to tour several manufactured homes when I was house hunting with a friend.  I was impressed with the open design.  I thought at the time that the design would be perfect for people with accessibility needs.   The open floor plan made the homes seem larger than the square footage allowance would indicate.  Manufacture homes, of course, are not the only houses to feature this roomy design.   An article by Melissa Rayworth (The Sunday Herald: September 18, 2011) pointed out that many homes built within the last decade have adopted for open floor plans, but as you are well aware, many older homes did not.

For example: when we bought our house, the theory was that the more rooms the better.  They were advertized on the basis of how many rooms, especially bedrooms and bathrooms the house contained.  The designers didn’t care that the bathrooms were the size of postage stamps or that the bedrooms were so small that you couldn’t walk around the bed.

How do you remodel an older home so that it will be readily accessible if you need a walker or wheelchair?  Small rooms with sharp right angle door jams cut down on maneuverability.  You would have to be quite skilled to back up a wheel chair or do a complete turn about with a walker in a tight corridor or room.

It is pretty obvious that larger rooms and open spaces would be better for you.     If you truly want to stay in your family home it may mean knocking down a few walls.

Minimizing the number of walls will make your house seem larger, allow for easier traffic flow, and allow you to utilize and display the larger furniture that is so popular these days.  King and Queen sized beds, chunky recliners and couches with recliner options are much larger and take up more space than the older furniture styles.  The author of the article in the Herald emphasized that demolishing a wall is a little more complicated than just taking a crowbar and taking a few big whacks.  Wiring, plumbing, heat ducts and the like might be hidden behind those walls, not to mention that you need to know which walls will need to be replaced with other support structures need a certain amount of skill.  A certified contractor and perhaps even an interior designer will be need if you want to do the job right.  The whole process may be a bigger job than you had anticipated, but this one way to increase your living space and make your home a safer and more accessible place to live.

Independent Living: The Perfect Christmas Gift

What could mean more to an independent senior than a safer and more comfortable place to live?  According to several AARP surveys, 90% of people over the age of 65 want to spend their retirement years in their own homes.

An article by Tom Kelly (Spokesman Review: Spokane, WA. December 20, 2009), suggested a way to make this happen.   Giving your parents a gift certificate for an “aging in place” evaluation would be the ideal way to start the ball rolling.  I think you will agree that assuring that your folks have a safe and comfortable place to live would be the perfect gift.   It will not only mean peace of mind for the whole family, but will assure that everything possible is being done to respect your parent’s wishes. 

The biggest challenge, of course, is getting your folks to agree that it would be money well spent.  Older people have frugal tendencies and will insist that they can get by, but we all know that this isn’t true.   It is time to have “the talk.”  The only difference is that this particular “talk” is about making something positive happen.  Press home the fact that it will cost less to “senior proof” their home than to have to move somewhere else.

First have the discussion; then follow up with a gift certificate for an “aging in place” evaluation.   The National Association of Home Builders (www.nahb.org) has a special certification for “aging in place” specialists.   An “aging in place” specialist can help you determine what can and should be done to make a home safer and more comfortable for senior occupants.

Projects could range from something as simple as installing grab bars or adjusting countertop heights, but eventually more comprehensive work will probably need to be done.  A lift, an elevator or even creating a master suite on the first floor may need to be considered later, but first things first.   

Accessibility issues are indeed a problem and they can make “aging in place” impossible if not attended to early on.  A timely evaluation, delivered by a third party, is often the most sensible way to present this information in a practical and no-nonsense manner.

Independent Living: How Accessible Is Your Bedroom?

How accessible is your bedroom?  That may sound like a silly question but your bedroom is more than just a place to sleep.   I consider myself lucky that my bedroom has an adjoining bath, but it was certainly not designed with any other accessibility features in mind.   When our house was built the contractors were more interested in the number of bedrooms available than about size or the open areas. 

The bedroom is your space.  The bedroom is your sanctuary, and you want it to be a special place just for you.    My bedroom is all wrong.  To start with it is at the end of the hall and requires a sharp right angle turn to walk into the room (not much maneuvering space).  The furniture takes up most of the room.  There is less than 2 feet between the edges of the queen mattress and furniture and/or the walls.  We are not thinking about knocking out any walls so most of the bedroom tweaking will have to involve furniture.  The room is medium sized so I think a furniture makeover and some build-ins might work.  The experts suggest a wider doorway if possible and enough open area to maneuver a walker or wheelchair.  A smaller bed with built in reading lamps and nightstands could be conceivably tucked against one wall.  The bed should be near seat height to make it easier to transfer or lever oneself in and out off.   Chairs, if there is room for a chair (there might be if I get rid of the queen sized bed)…whose idea was that anyway?  A chair should have firm cushions and arms to use for support when sitting and standing.  I can do yoga chair pose but I know a lot of people who have trouble getting in and out of a chair.   My vision is fine now but I like the idea of contrasting color for walls, floor and fabrics.  Non-skid flooring is a must.

 I can picture built in cabinets, sliding or pocket doors, and one of those closet makeovers where everything is on low rods, open spaces, adjustable shelving and drawers so that you can reach everything from a sitting position.  We did a makeshift closet re-do with wire racks but it really isn’t sufficient.  Of course it will help when I have more than a 1 ½ food clearance between the bed and the closet door.  A closet space needs to be useful in a manner that makes everything accessible.  This always sounds like such a cool idea when you read about it, but making all closet space useful isn’t as easy as you might think.  Standard closets were not designed with a heck of a lot of foresight.  Still, you can do more with the space than just installing a rod and a shelf.  There are remarkable systems available these days.  Spend a few dollars more and make it the closet of your dreams.  Can this medium sized bedroom be saved?