The Peter Pan Dilemma
It has been two years now since the first baby boomer turned sixty five and during that time they have continued to do so at the rate of ten thousand per day. Baby boomers will continue turning sixty five at this rate for another eighteen years or so. By 2030 about twenty percent of Americans will be sixty five or older. In addition to this dynamic, we are living longer. The fastest growing demographic in the United States is the eighty five and older segment of the population. This “silver tsunami”, as it has been called, will impact every area of our lives. One of the most significant areas that this sea change in population will affect is housing. Many studies have been done about peoples housing preferences as they grow older. Most of these studies show that approximately ninety percent of respondents want to stay right where they are. However, most of them have not taken any steps to make this feasible or even possible. Most of us live in what has been described as “Peter Pan” housing, that is, housing built for people that will never grow up. From the time we get up in the morning until we go to bed at night, our homes present obstacles for anyone with diminished mobility, manual dexterity, hearing, or eyesight. Let’s face it; our homes are designed for the mythological average, healthy, young person. It is not just elderly or disabled people who are impacted by peter pan housing. A couple with a newborn baby in a stroller or an athlete with a broken leg will struggle with the same obstacles as a person trying to navigate their home in a wheelchair. These obstacles include stairs, narrow doorways, doorknobs and faucet handles which can be difficult to grasp, countertops that are too high or too low, thresholds on doors, poor lighting, electrical switches and outlets that are hard to reach, lack of sturdy handholds to help prevent falls, slippery flooring, etc. The list goes on and on. If you have struggled with any of these issues, or tried to care for a loved one who has, you know what I’m talking about. The immediate solution to these dilemmas is to modify our homes to create living environments that will be safe, comfortable, and enjoyable to live in. The long tern answer is to build homes that incorporate these features to begin with. While renovating an existing home to make it usable can be a significant project, building these features into a home from the beginning can often result in an insignificant increase in time and expense. Always remember that any condition can only be considered a disability to the extent that one is unable to perform a particular function. If our homes, communities, and businesses allow someone using a wheelchair to access everything that a walking person can, there is no disability. If these ideas are intriguing to you and you would like to learn more, please visit us at the Roanoke Home and Garden Show at the RoanokeCivicCenter on January 10-12. I will be making presentations on this subject throughout the weekend and I would love to have the opportunity to meet you and answer any questions you might have. I would also welcome the opportunity to hear what subjects you would like to see addressed in Housing Matters in 2014. Please call me at (540) 384-2064 or visit my website at www.solidrockenterprises.com if you have questions. Thank you for reading Housing Matters and I wish all of you a very happy and healthy New Year.
Fall Protection in the Home
The Christmas season is upon us. All the sights, sounds, smells and tastes that we associate with the wonderful celebration of the birth of Christ fill most of us with warm feelings. We scurry around looking for just the right gift for that special someone. But what to get for the person who has everything? I am going to suggest a gift that keeps on giving. Give the gift of safety and peace of mind in the New Year and beyond. Most of us know an elderly person who has fallen or maybe we have fallen ourselves. What you may not know is that up to one third of Americans aged 65 and older fall each year. In fact falls are the leading cause of fatal injury and the most common cause of nonfatal trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults. Often a fall begins a downward spiral of lack of confidence which leads to more falls. The financial toll for falls by older adults will increase as the population ages and may reach 54.9 billion by 2020. If you or a loved one is prone to falling, these are staggering statistics. To put it into perspective, every 15 seconds an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall; every 29 minutes an older adult dies following a fall. So how do you prevent yourself or a loved one from becoming one of these statistics? Solid Rock Enterprises, Inc. is pleased to offer the Fall Protection Package. This package protects you from fall related injuries, particularly in the bathroom. We focus on the bathroom because many falls occur in the bathroom and the ones that do can be the most devastating. Falls are more likely to occur in the bathroom for several reasons. First of all, everything is more slippery when it is wet. Second we often go the bathroom during the night, when we are only partially awake. Third, if we do fall we grab whatever we can to steady ourselves and most of these items will not bear our weight. And fourth, surfaces in most bathrooms are very hard, leading to greater injury in a fall. The three components of the Fall Protection Package are a Safeway Step, grabcessories, and smart cell flooring. The Safeway Step is a tub cutout that lets you step into the tub much easier. Stepping over the tub wall gets increasingly difficult for many older Americans and many falls occur as people are getting in or out of the tub. The second component consists of strategically placed grab bars. Having a securely mounted grab bar can mean the difference between a momentary loss of balance and a devastating fall. We offer grab bars cleverly disguised as needed bathroom accessories. The final component of the Fall Protection Package is SmartCells® flooring. This revolutionary flooring product will reduce the impact of a fall by up to a factor of ten. The SmartCells® patented, dual-stiffness structure becomes softer under impact while at the same time providing stability for balance-impaired persons and care-givers. Available in different colors as well as drain through versions for use in a shower or tub, SmartCells® offer fall protection previously unavailable anywhere. If you have a loved one who is prone to falling, why not give them the gift of safety and peace of mind in the New Year? Call us at (540) 384-2064 for more details, and this year give them the gift that will truly make a difference in their lives. Thank you for reading Housing Matters and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy new Year!
Be Thankful
Do you ever get discouraged? Of course, we all do. Things don’t go our way, we suffer aches and pains or serious health problems or people let us down. There are certainly lots of things going on the country to get discouraged about. With Thanksgiving coming up this month, how do we get ourselves in a thankful mood? I am reminded of the old hymn “Count your Blessings” written by Johnson Oatman, Jr. in 1897. Part of the song goes like this: When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done. If we take the time to look we will soon find that we have more to be thankful for than to be discouraged about. One thing I am thankful for is our nation%
A Home for a Lifetime
I have had the distinct privilege to have had two telephone conversations with Walton D. (Wally) Dutcher, Jr. who is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as being the longest living quadriplegic, having been paralyzed in a diving accident in May of 1956 at the age of 19 while serving in the Navy. Wally’s list of accomplishments include college degrees, managing mutual funds, serving in numerous organizations advocating for people with disabilities, and leading a 5 person cabinet manufacturer’s growth into a 165 employee, $6 million company in two and one-half years. To say Wally’s story is inspiring would be a major understatement. Wally called me after finding out about my interest in Universal Design. He has studied architecture and has designed numerous homes that use Universal Design principles. Wally believes strongly (as I do) that homes using the principles of Universal Design benefit everyone. I was recently explaining the work I do with Universal Design in homes to a new father. After listening for a few minutes, he remarked that all of these features would be very helpful to him and his wife considering all the miles they are logging with a baby stroller! In fact, for this very reason, Wally likes the term Life Span Design because the open design of the homes he designs benefit their owners and guests throughout the course of their lives. I know it has only been a couple of months since I was talking about Better Living Design as a new term for Universal Design. The bottom line is that whatever we call it, its high we start designing, building, and living in houses that will serve the needs of our entire population, not the proverbial “average” healthy person. After all, many of us wear glasses or contacts to correct our vision. While wearing the glasses or contacts we can see just fine. If we didn’t have the benefit of these common items, would we be considered disabled? The same holds true for a person with mobility issues, whether permanently or temporarily, say from a broken leg. If their home is designed and built to allow them to move freely from room to room and utilize it’s features, they are no more disabled than anyone else in the home. Talking with Wally was inspiring to me and gives me a renewed zest to build lifetime homes using lifespan design. If you or a loved one would benefit from a home like this, whether new construction or remodeling your existing home, please call 540-556-0650 for more information. I would be happy to tell you more about how your home can be a home for a lifetime.
The Benefits of Planning Ahead
If you are anything like the vast majority of Americans over the age of 45 you want to live out the remainder of your days in the comfortable and familiar surroundings of your own home. You have likely lived there for many years, probably because you like the home and the neighborhood. However, it is also likely that you live in a “Peter Pan” home. That is, a home designed for someone who will never grow old. Most homes are designed based on common practice in the past rather than usefulness for the present and the future. Chances are, there are a number of steps in your home, both outside and inside. It is very likely that there are many doors in your home that are too narrow for a walker or wheelchair to pass through. Most bathrooms are full of hazards for anyone who is struggling with mobility or balance issues even if you can get through the door. My advice is to plan ahead to modify your home before it reaches the point where you are having difficulty. For example, if you install grab bars before you need them, you will get in the habit of reaching for them and then when you do need them, the action will be automatic. Many people do not think about making changes to their homes until it becomes an emergency, at which point it is more difficult and costly to get changes made in time to be effective. If you are considering updating your kitchen, bathroom, deck, or any other part of your home, take some time to think about your future needs. By designing your home to be beautiful and accessible for people of all ages, you are making an investment in your future that will pay dividends for years to come. Not only will you be more comfortable and safer in your home, you will enjoy it more as well. I have a number of checklists available to help you decide what areas of your home to consider modifying. Please call me at (540) 384-2064 or email me at cmoore@solidrockenterprises.com for more information or for a home assessment. The more information you have about what your options are, the better decision you can make. I look forward to hearing from you, and thank you for reading Housing Matters.
Better Living Design
In the four years that I have been writing Housing Matters I have endeavored to communicate the fact that while most of us want to live in our own homes for the rest of our lives, most of our homes are “Peter Pan” homes. In other words, homes designed for people that never grow old. I have written about how the projects we build at Solid Rock Enterprises, Inc. create homes that are safe, beautiful and accessible for people of all ages and abilities. And yet I continue to frequently get a response from many people that goes something like this, “I’m not ready for that yet.” There is a sense among many people that somehow remodeling your home to make it safer and more comfortable for you as you as you age is somehow an admission of defeat. That belief couldn’t be farther from the truth. Today there is a movement to educate people of this very thing. The Better Living Design Institute has been established to promote the idea that homes designed and built to be usable by all people benefits everyone. A home with a zero step entry is better for someone using a wheelchair, a mother with a baby stroller, the furniture movers, and frankly, everyone else. The remodeled bathroom with a custom tiled curbless shower creates a spa like environment that anyone can enjoy. I read a quote that sums it up well by Mary Jo Peterson, a CAPS certified kitchen and bath designer. She said, “Don’t think in terms of ‘I need it.’, Think of it as ‘I deserve it.’ – and you do.” A certification program is in the works, as well as a “BLD Approved” seal for products that exemplify the tenets of Better Living Design. You will be sure to read more about Better Living Design. In the meantime, for more information about Better Living Design or to learn more about the building, remodeling, and consulting services we offer, please call us at (540) 384-2064 or visit our website at www.solidrockenterprises.com.
Happy Father’s Day!
I recently had a question on www.caring.com where I serve on the panel of experts. The question was from someone who was struggling with the decision of how to care for an aging father who desperately wanted to continue living independently but was suffering from memory loss and wasn’t taking care of himself. Friends and neighbors were helping but it wasn’t enough. Anyone who has watched a loved one losing their cognitive abilities and the ability to live independently knows the difficulty of making the decisions necessary to help their loved one cope. If you still have your father, be thankful and wish him a Happy Father’s Day. Father’s Day never seems to get the attention of Mother’s Day and fathers have a tendency to be on the independent side and are uncomfortable asking for or accepting help even when they need it. One suggestion for a father or other loved one who is living alone and needs some help is a remote activity monitoring system called SimplyHome. With this system we install a series of sensors in the home to keep track of activity and inactivity. Based on an initial interview we conduct with the client and their family and any other caregivers we determine areas of concern that we can then monitor with the system and send out customized alerts. For example if your loved one is always up and about by 8:00 am you can program the system to send out an email, text or phone call to whomever you designate if they are still in the bed at 8:30. You could program the system to turn on the lights if they get up during the night or turn off the stove if it’s left on with no movement in the kitchen for a period of time. There is even a medication dispenser that you load with pills and each section opens at the proper time. If the pills aren’t taken, someone gets an alert. If wandering is a concern, there is a GPS watch that can be used to pinpoint their location. The technology utilized in the SimplyHome system is a truly fantastic way to help people continue to live independently. If you would like more information on SimplyHome and the other products and services we offer here at Solid Rock Enterprises, Inc. please call (540) 384-2064.
Common Sense Solutions for Life
Over the last few years as I have worked to help people remain in their homes for the course of their lives, there has been a lot of confusion about exactly what products and services I offer. First and foremost, I am a contractor. I have been building and remodeling since 1986. The type of building and remodeling that I have been focusing on for the last five years or so has been creating living spaces that work for all people through all stages of life. Variations of this type of design have been called by various names including universal design, accessible design, adaptable design, easy living design, multi generational design, and aging in place. The trouble with all of these terms is that most people don’t know what you are talking about when you use them. They tend to make the whole subject appear to be some complicated, esoteric theory that you need an advanced degree to understand. Nothing could be further from the truth. The truth is that the bulk of the modifications I make to people’s homes as well as the features I incorporate into new homes are simply common sense solutions for life. If I use a 3’ wide door instead of a 2’ wide door into a bathroom, that just makes sense. If I install an electrical outlet at 2’ off the floor instead of near the baseboard, it makes it easier for everyone to reach it, not just someone with a disability. A home designed with a wide front door with a covered, well lighted zero step entry accessed by a wide, gently sloping walk makes life easier for everyone. Many times when I am having conversations with people about their homes, people will say, “What a great idea! That is so simple!” Most of the features I suggest are simple, but they can make all the difference in the world in the comfort and convenience you experience in your daily life. If you or a loved one are having difficulty with any area of your home or would simply like to update your kitchen, bathroom or any other feature of your home, inside or out, give me a call at (540) 384-2064. I would be happy to come and take a look at your home and see what kind of common sense solutions could make your life easier. You can also read past editions of Housing Matters and find lots of information about common sense solutions for life at www.solidrockenterprises.com.
Are You Eligible for the Livable Home Tax Credit?
The deadline to apply for the Livable Homes Tax Credit is February 28. If you purchased a new home or remodeled an existing home in 2012 and the new home or the remodeling involved accessibility features you could be eligible for a tax credit of up to $5,000 on your Virginia income taxes. If you qualify for the credit, don’t miss the deadline of February 28. If you purchased a new home in 2012 (either newly built or converted from a non residential use) and it meets the three features of Universal Visitability or incorporates three accessibility features and meets the requirements of an existing standard, you are eligible to take the $5,000 credit. The three features of Universal Visitability are 1) at least one zero step entry into the house, 2) an accessible bathroom on the same level as the zero step entry, and 3) doorways with at least 32” clear width and hallways and passageways with at least 36” clear width leading from the zero step entry to the bathroom and an eating area. If all of these three features are present, there are no further requirements. If you do not have all three of these, the home must incorporate three accessibility features and meet the requirements of an existing standard. Some examples of accessibility features are: Accessible route such as a ramp Zero step entry Lifts Elevators Zero step entrance 32” clear width doorways 36” clear width hallways Accessible switches, outlets, and controls Accessible bathrooms Accessible and usable kitchen facilities Grab bars Lever handles on doors and fixtures Sensory modifications The requirement that you meet an existing standard is a little murkier because there are several different standards that exist that could be referenced. I have found that the ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG), while not technically applicable to single family homes, will cover you if you are in compliance. If you have specific questions, get in touch with me and I’ll do my best to answer them for you. If you retrofitted or remodeled an existing home, the project must include at least one accessibility feature and meet the requirements of an existing standard. If sensory modifications have been provided, they must be structurally integrated into the home. Sensory modifications are anything that would assist sensory disabled people such as a doorbell that activated a strobe light for a person with hearing loss. Any device must be permanently attached to the home to qualify. The credit for retrofitting an existing home is also $5,000 but is limited to 50% of the cost of the project actually incurred by the taxpayer. Please note that any costs paid through Granting Freedom, the VA, VHDA, Department of Rehabilitative Services, or any other organization would not be eligible for the credit. For either new or existing homes, if the credit exceeds your tax liability, you may carry the credit forward for up to seven years, and if the amount of eligible credits exceeds one million dollars, each approved taxpayer will receive a pro rated amount of credit. Once you have submitted your application you will receive a tax credit certificate from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development by April 1. I hope this information is helpful. If you have questions please call me at (540) 384-2064 or email me at cmoore@solidrockenterprises.com. You can download a copy of the guidelines and application at www.dhcd.virginia.gov/LHTC.
Making a List, Checking it Twice
While this phrase is more closely associated with Christmas and December than it is with January and the start of a new year, I’m talking about a different type of list. The type of list I am referring to is a checklist that you can use to determine how safe and accessible your home is for you and your loved ones. There are dozens of these checklists available that have been developed by various organizations including the Center for Universal Design, Easter Seals, and Rebuilding Together. They run the gamut from simple one page checklists to very extensive room by room inventories of your home. While they all have some value, nothing takes the place of a professional assessment. A good checklist is a great place to start looking at your home to see if you need some home modifications. Here is my own list of some of the top areas to look at: Is there an accessible route into and around the home? Make sure you have at least one zero step entry into the home (preferably covered) and wide doorways and hallways throughout the home. Are the bathrooms safe and usable by everyone in the home? More falls occur in the bathroom than anywhere else in the home. A curbless shower or walk in tub, a comfort height commode, accessible sink, grab bars, and good lighting will go a long way towards making the bathroom safer and more accessible. Safety in the kitchen. In order for the kitchen to be a safe place to prepare meals, make sure that there are clear walkways and room to move around. A sink and cooktop with knee space below allow someone to use them from a seated position. Pull down shelving in the upper cabinets and pull out shelving in the lower cabinets allow easy access. Contrasting edges on countertops and bright, glare free lighting make it easier to see what you are doing for those with diminished eyesight. Look out for clutter. Many falls occur at home because of loose throw rugs, trailing extension cords or simply clutter laying around in the walkway. Take the time to clean up clutter, fix loose flooring and reroute or rewire extension cords. Make sure help is available when you need it. A good support system is vital, particularly for an older person who lives alone. A good option is an electronic remote activity monitoring system like Simply Home. I have written about Simply Home several times in Housing Matters. This customized system will send out an alert if any of the preprogrammed events trigger the system. For example, it will automatically turn off the stove if it is left on and there is no movement in the kitchen for a certain period of time. Be careful with stairs. Stairs can be a particular challenge for anyone with diminished mobility. Many people contemplate a home with single story living as they get older. If this is not an option for you, make sure you have adequate railings on both sides of the stairs, the treads are made of a non slip material, and there is plenty of light. Having the treads and risers of a contrasting color can help prevent falls by making the transition easier to see. A stair lift is a popular option if climbing stairs has become difficult. I have just touched the surface. For more information, give me a call at 540-556-0650 or come see us at the Greater Roanoke Home and Garden Show Jan 11-13 at the Roanoke Civic Center.