Smart Senior

Multigenerational Living

An old trend is being revitalized as more and more families are being drawn back to multigenerational living.  Could it work for you?  Be honest now, if you have never had an easy relationship with your parents this might not be a good idea, but in our busy lives we are feeling a need to stay connected with the only people who really love us.

I am not just talking about inviting your parent(s) to move in with you but about the kids who move back home.  Our economy today has made it difficult for young people and oldsters alike to maintain independent homes, so like it or not the family unit is coming back together.  Other economic considerations include the rising life expectancy and decreasing pensions.

This trend doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone lives in the same house. Creative ways are being rediscovered to add cottages and additions to present abodes in order to accommodate a growing number of family members.  Togetherness may not be all it is cracked up to be but like it or not it is a way for older and younger generations to help care for each other and the cost of living can be shared. 

Ann Pleshette Murphy writing for

USA

WEEKEND (August 24-26, 2007) puts forth some guidelines for determining if and how this could work for you.  She also recommends a book by John L. Graham called Together Again: A Creative Guide to Successful Multigenerational Living. 

Be sure you are all compatible.  Try vacationing together, address legal and financial issues upfront, create ground rules early on, communicate clearly and often and finally discuss when to stop living together.

Housing tips included researching city zoning regulations in regards to building a separate house or adding on to your present home.  Incorporate universal design when setting up your multigenerational house-hold, be creative when it comes to remodeling and creating quarters that provide as much privacy as possible.

Synthetic Slip Covers for Man’s Best Friend

Synthetic Slip Covers for Man’s Best Friend

I have always thought of slip covers as sort of a senior thing because we are more reluctant to throw furniture away, just because it has become a little disreputable.  I’ve written about slip covers before, but not generated by the idea of covering over pet damage.  We all like to pretend that our pets don’t sleep on the furniture but I think that down deep we all know better.  I mean, how can you scold anyone with a face like that?

We are pet people.  Not once in my 40 some years of married life have I had the kind of furniture featured in house beautiful magazines.  It isn’t that I don’t love nice furniture but I love my pets even more.  Naturally I was drawn to the article by Marni Jameson (written for the Seattle Times on Saturday, November 3, 2007) where she talks about researching slipcovers for the chair that she shares with her two dogs.

She said that the manager at her fabric store nixed the idea of cotton and recommended a synthetic fabric that could withstand the wear and tear that she described.  Acrylic and other synthetic fabrics are becoming increasingly popular because they are soft and the wear well.  She rated various fabrics according to durability (fragile, semi-fragile, durable, tough and indestructible).  Tough included synthetic fabrics that are durable, fade resistant and less expensive than natural fabrics.  Leather is also in this category.

However, we are talking about pets here, so skip ahead to the indestructible list.  Power fabrics such as Crypton (www.cryptonfabric.com) are showing up in more and more residential designs and this is what she recommended for “any home that’s gone to the dogs.”

Looking Good! Senior Clothing Design

Looking Good!  Senior Clothing Design

Baby Boomers describe themselves as “middle aged” (we forget that we would have to live to be 120 for this to be the middle of anything, but who’s counting?).

What it boils down to is that women don’t want to look like frumpy “little old ladies” anymore.  No more dusters, no more house dresses and no more black oxfords, although I am not sure the velour sweat suits are much better.

If you have seen movies such as Monster-In-Law, Something Gotta Give, The Devil Wears Pravda and Because I Said so, you are well aware that older gals can look fabulous too!

Retailers are finally catching on and are starting to target the senior market.  The catch here is that women don’t want to shop in stores that screamer “older” or “larger” so now, stores like Bloomindales are adding new departments that will appeal to a wider cross section of shoppers.

Teri Agins wrote an article for Women’s Wear (The Wall Street Journal, Saturday/Sunday November 3-4, 2007) that discusses how it is difficult for older women to figure out what is age appropriate for them.  Interests span a wide range and marketing campaigns are gearing up to include clothing that can be worn by women of all ages.  Visit Teri Agins at her Website www.WSJ.com/OnlineToday for more about fashions for older women.

Aging in Place

October 1^st through October 7^th is National Aging in Place Week.  Tom Kelly wrote an article for the Real Estate section of the Herald (Sunday, September 30, 2007) about how to make “staying put’ a little easier.

He brings up a few ideas to think about if you plan to spend your remaining years in your present home.

Keep in mind that according to AARP surveys, that nearly a quarter of people 45 or older admit that they “might” /will have trouble getting around as they get older.  Another survey indicated that fewer than 10 out of a million homes actually had features that would make that possible.  The survey also mentioned that 90% of persons over 65 WANT to remain in their own homes.  If you are one of them, it is time to do some serious thinking!

The article suggests that you decide on how much you are willing to spend on your remodeling venture before you begin.  This will undoubtedly be based on how long you plan to stay in this particular house.  Obviously, if you are only in your 50’s or even 60’s and plan to live there until you are 95; you will invest considerably more than if you are already 91.

The second consideration is who will do the work?  If you are talking about little things like improving the lighting, adding a few grab bars, a new shower head, or even a ramp, you might be able to enlist the aid of a handy family member.  For big changes like door width, reconfiguring rooms, and making structural changes you will probably need to get professional assistance.  Check with a local homebuilders association about CAPS (certified aging-in-place specialists) and get things done right.

Further considerations are based on what adjustments you want to make first, how to balance need versus want, and how you are going to pay for these changes.  Take the time to decide what you will need in your home to make it not only attractive but comfortable and safe for you in the years to come.  Look at www.naipc.com for ideas.

Lap Robes and Sofa Throws for Seniors

Seniors love little luxuries too, and you are probably already starting to think about Christmas present possibilities.  Every person that I call on, in the retirement home setting, has a sofa throw folded carefully on the bottom of the bed or draped casually over the back of a favorite chair.  Seniors like their creature comforts too.  I still have a couple of afghans in the living room, but I don’t knit or crochet my self so I would be the first to admit that maybe the afghan generation is a thing of the past.

I love reading “The Catalog Critic” by Lauren Lipton in The Wall Street Journal and in the Friday, September 28^th she reviews Sofa Throw-Downs.  The luxury models range in prices from $70 to over $1000 so you can pick one of these exotic examples and know that you are giving your mother or grandmother something fabulous as well as useful.

The Best Overall rating went to a light weight merino-wool fringed throw by Anichini San Miguel (www.leandrofabrics.com) or for a better color selection go straight to the Anichini store (888-230-5388). It is large , it is beautiful and it is made in

Italy

($377 plus $12.50 for shipping).

The Best Value rating goes to a baby llama throw for $249 plus $15.95 and the only negative thing they could find to say was that it came in only one color.  The proceeds from the sales are donated to organization that aids low-income women in

Latin America

. (www.peruvianconnection.com).

I would probably opt for the $70 brushed cotton throws by Sferra Bros. Celine (www.luxurylinensltd.com) that sound lovely and are available in a variety of muted colors.  Standard shipping is $9.95 but free shipping on orders over $100 so you might like to buy two and keep one for yourself.

The last two mentioned are strictly luxury items for those who have everything.  The Rani Arabella Santa Margherita throw (www.opulenceofsouthernpines.com) is very nice at $795 plus $25 shipping and the Arabians Nights velvet throw by (www.horchow.com) for $1,075 plus $24 shipping.

Big Ideas for Small Spaces

Once you have resigned yourself to living in a smaller house or even an apartment building, it becomes necessary to focus on the difference between claustrophobic and cozy.  It may seem like a fine line now, but once you put together a plan I think you will like it.

I just finished reading the book Big Ideas for Small Spaces by JoAnne Liebeler.  I like her suggestions for creating usable space from what was once thought of as wasted space.

For example:  in the entryway you want to avoid walls that resemble closets or give you a boxed in feeling.  If you focus on waist-high cabinets or shelving units instead of walls to act as a divider you can eliminate that closed in feeling.  An open view lets the eye run the length of the adjacent living room and seems to invite you in.  Other suggestions included using a wall of glass, built in benches, inviting art work, or under-stair storage units.  Further suggestions are things like selecting warm colors, slate flooring, an open design or even mirrors to catch light and create the illusion of space.

The family room is the most vital area in your house.  It is a multifunctional room and it is where you want to spend most of your time.  To create an illusion of space you want to keep traffic areas as open as possible.  If your room is indeed multifunctional, you want to create an area for each of its functions.  For example, you might want to create an alcove in one wall to serve a work area instead of having a big desk sitting out into the room. A window seat for reading, a bench seat for storing, built in cabinets, or a flat screen TV hung on a wall to keep it from taking up space in the center of the room.  Keep the furniture simple, use sliding doors, open-shelving.  Use an ottoman for extra seating that can slide under a table when not in use.

The layout of your kitchen should focus on you being able to perform tasks with as little unnecessary space is possible.  Small is good.  A single large sink is a good as a dual sink and have your appliances built in.  Take advantage of all of the new cabinetry that keeps things easy to access and out of sight.

The bedroom, while small, needs to be organized and clutter free. Utilize built in drawers, closet organizers, window seats and an open floor plan.  A small bathroom is always a headache.  Decide what you absolutely have to have and eliminate the need for any anything else.  If you don’t use a bathtub get rid of it and design the most luxurious shower area that you can afford.

The author concludes by emphasizing flexibility as the key to maximizing limited floor space.  Use portable dividers or arrange furniture to act as dividers.  The extra space is already there if you know where to look for it.  A little used alcove can become a compact home office.  A secretary desk in the dining or family room can be a mini workspace.  It isn’t about how much space you have but about how you use it.

Book Review:  Big Ideas for Small Spaces by David Lansing and JoAnne Liebeler.  Sunset Books (2006)

Living Aboard Your RV

Living Aboard Your RV (review of the book by Janet and Gordon Groene)

Have you ever thought, now that you are of retirement age, that you might like to chuck it all and travel around the country in your Recreational Vehicle?  I actually know of people who have adopted this lifestyle quite successfully.  We used our RV when the children were small and still spend a week at the beach each fall, but our style of RVing is just the tip of the iceberg.

Is Rving a lifestyle that would appeal to you?  Full Timers come in all income and age brackets.  Some are retired, some follow their jobs and others need a movable home while pursuing special hobbies and professions.

The book Living Aboard Your RV will help you decide if RVing is the right choice for you.  The book guides you through step by step, and covers everything that you will need to know before you hit the road on a full time basis.  The first recommendation has to do with getting ready.  They talk about everything from testing the waters with a good long trial run, to examining the cost of living in an RV (continuing expenses, new expenses, energy and fuel, rent, maintenance and repairs).  Several big steps revolve around whether you should keep or sell your permanent residence.  After that you will need to decide what you are going to do with all of your belongings, and figure out how you are going to pare down your lifestyle.

A whole chapter discusses residency issues such as where you should call home when it comes to taxes, insurances etc.  Another chapter talks about choosing your home on wheels and discusses the pros and cons of various types and models.  Additional information is provided about how to equip your new home.

They look into what kind of insurance you should have to help you avoid financial disaster if you should lose your entire household.  Another issue is what to do about money (banking, credit cards, debit cards, ATM cards, Travelers Checks etc.).

Then there is the tough stuff…discussions about things like engine cooling systems, drive trains (wheels, bearings, greasing, tires and brakes).  All of the utilities that you took for granted in your house are now yours to deal with.  Water, propane, refrigeration, lighting, wiring, generators, campground electricity, heat and air are all things that you will have to learn about.

Safety issues such as how to drive your new rig, towing your car, seatbelts, firearms, theft proofing, warning devices and fire safety.

On a lighter note they cover things like traveling with kids, traveling with pets, hobbies, campgrounds, environmental tips, groups to join, clubs, resorts and the like.  Don’t forget things like the mysteries of mobile medicine, housecleaning on wheels, tools to carry with you and everything else you need to know.

The book says it all and is written by people who have been there and done that. 

Source:  Living Aboard Your RV by Janet Groene and Gordon Groene (Ragged Mountain Press/ McGraw-Hill 2002)

Family Compounds

The extended family is making a comeback.  In many cases several generations are squeezing under one roof by making basement or building extension apartments for in-laws, parents or seniors.  They are also living in family compounds that can feature garage apartments, extensions, and guest cottages for family vacationing or living areas.

Families today are recognizing that by living together, they are able to meet evolving needs which can range from child care to eldercare.

Christina S.N. Lewis wrote an article about family compounds for The Wall Street Journal (Friday, April 13, 2007).  Her emphasis was on vacation units in areas that are being zoned for multiple dwellings on a lot.  Developers, recognizing a trend are pushing preplanned compounds and are referring to properties with multiple dwellings that let extended families stay separately but together.  The layout often includes a main house, guest cottages and common recreation areas.  They are marketing these units as family gathering houses or even pitching the idea of full-time homes for retirees.

This not unlike the elder cottages or granny flats of the past, although on a more upscale level.  These developments are appealing to empty-nesters who are looking for a place where their families can come together for special occasions (where you can keep visitors close but not too close) or are recognizing that we need the community of a family and we need to take care of each other.

An article in Business Week magazine (October 31, 2006) presented a similar concept (www.businessweek.com/print/magazine/content/05_44/b3957131.htm?chan=gl) that discusses how more and more households are doubling up and gives ideas on how to make it work.  Topics discussed include making plans, privacy issues and financial issue.

Cooking Aboard Your RV by Janet Groene (book review)

Anyone remotely interested in camping has had a brush with trying to prepare a meal in the wilds, so to speak.  Of course I am talking about menu’s that are a bit more extensive than grilling hot dogs or toasting marshmallows over an open fire.  I hate to admit it, but I am not a sophisticated chef under any circumstances.  I like cooking in our RV galley even less than in my own kitchen, but I do like to eat.  Given a choice I will opt for surf and turf at a local restaurant every time, but there are many purist out there who think that “home made” is always better.

Cooking Aboard Your RV by Janet Groene almost makes me reconsider.  This travel companion book is a complete guide for cooking in miniature, whether you are a casual weekender, a summer vacationer or someone who opts to live in an RV either part or full time.  No matter what your pleasure, you all share the trials and tribulations associated with cooking in a galley the size of a postage stamp.  Personally, I am not very domestic and my job is usually to stay out of the way of the serious cooks in the family, and I am assigned jobs like buttering the toast.  We all know that there isn’t enough room for more than one person to stand in the kitchen at the same time anyway…right?

RV’s today have many of the same luxuries that we have in our permanent homes.  Appliances may be miniaturized but we have stoves, refrigerators with freezing compartments, hot and cold running water, double sinks and often microwave ovens.  In addition the chances are pretty good that you brought your toaster, coffee pot, electric skillets, and a few other appliances of choice with you.

What you don’t have is more conspicuous than what you do have.  No dishwashers (sigh), garbage disposals, unlimited water supply, full sized stoves with broilers, and most noticeably the fact that you don’t have enough cupboard or countertop space.

The author provides tips on furnishing but not over furnishing your galley with equipment that is right for each task.  Although it is tempting to furnish your RV with castoffs it is better to buy equipment that is the right size, the right amount and of the right materials.  RV cooks have to make tough choices about what to take and what to leave home.

Last but not least the author has a full complements of recipes included that look good enough to try before you leave home.  You might even want to try some of the tips like minimizing the amount of dirty dishes you create by mixing things in plastic bags etc.  Remember when we were Girl Scouts and learned how to do bacon and eggs in a paper bag?

Cooking Aboard Your RV by Janet Groene (1963) Ragged Mountain Press…

Camden

,

Maine

.

Dining Table – Bit Things in Small Packages

No dining room in your apartment or your “not so big” house?  Never fear.  With a new product by Norwegian designers Alet and Dag Igland, you can still entertain royally.

“Mealbox” by Igland Design (www.iglanddesign.orgdot.com) is a table and stool set that can be stored in a box.  “Mealbox” is a dining table with chairs that has been put together from jig-saw style pieces.  When not in use, the table is stored in a box and can be taken anywhere.  The box opens into a complete dining room table with seating space for six.

Made up of birch plywood that has been reinforced with carbon fiber, the “Mealbox” is as easy to assemble as a small puzzle.  The six stools and table can be packed in a 27 by 30 inch box that is less than l8 inches high, yet the table extends to 90 inches.  Yes, it is low to the ground and resembles the table and chairs used in a Japanese Tea House, but it still sounds better than dragging out a card table and still not knowing what to use for chairs.

Source:  Big Ideas for Small Spaces by David Lansing and JoAnne Liebeler (2006).