Chris Moore Working with God’s Pit Crew in Kentucky
Chris Moore, founder of Solid Rock Enterprises, is spending time with God’s Pit Crew in Letcher, KY, to help rebuild after a natural disaster hit there earlier this month. They are building a house for a family that went to bed with the stream up to the top of its banks where it had been many times before. They were awakened by water coming into the house. By the time they got out, it was chest high and the house was completely destroyed. Day 1 (March 27, 2023) These photos from Day 1 of work show where they started the day (framing), from getting up walls and sheathing to setting roof trusses. You can even see what looks like a calm stream in the background; that’s the water that rose here. Some siding was added on the first day of work and even framing for a porch and some interior floorwork. Day 2 From Chris on the second day of work: “Today we got shingles installed on the roof, decking and stairs installed on front porch and back deck, siding work continues, and electrical, plumbing, and HVAC rough in’s completed.” Day 3 After three days in Kentucky, the siding is complete, columns on front porch installed, foundation coating in progress, electrical, plumbing, HVAC inspections passed, and insulation installed. Day 4 We finished hanging the drywall, started finishing it, started hanging doors, got most of the electrical outlets and switches installed, completed the front porch railings and trim, graded the yard, planted grass, and got most of the shrubs planted. Day 5 Rained all day, watering our newly planted grass and shrubs. Completely finished the drywall and the finish carpentry. Ready for paint tomorrow. Amazing how much work got done this week! Day 6 Much of the painting was finished and installed most of the cabinets. The appliances were also delivered. Day 8 Yesterday we took the day off in observance of the Lord’s Day. Today we are back at work, continuing the painting and flooring. Countertops and backsplash went in today, shoe molding was in the process of being installed. Vanities, countertops, sinks, and commodes were installed I the bathrooms and water heater and washer and dryer were installed. Furniture arrived and was being assembled. Straw that blew away in the windstorm was replaced, more shrubbery was planted, and pavers were installed at the back deck steps. All in all, a very productive day. Day 9 Finished construction today and started installing furniture. Day 10 Finished! In just 10 short days a completed and decorated house is ready to be presented to a family that lost their home eight months ago. The house will be given to the family tomorrow at 11:00 am. You can see it happen at facebook.com/GodsPitCrew
The Land of Conflicting Emotions
Last year on July 31, my wife died. After 33 years of marriage, and fighting stage 4 lung cancer for 33 weeks, she passed from this world with a smile on her face to meet her eternal reward. On the other hand, I was left here to pick up the pieces. The first days and weeks were a blur of arrangements and decisions against the backdrop of sheer anguish and complete numbness. I could not believe she was gone. I looked around me at the shattered remains of my life and wondered how I would go on. Where would I find the motivation? What purpose did my life have now? All around me, people went about their daily lives as if nothing had happened. When it took every ounce of strength I had to get out of bed in the morning, everybody else was carrying on as normal. Of course, they would, their world hadn’t just crumbled around them. But mine had. I often felt joy that she was no longer in the excruciating pain she had lived with for months, and absolute anguish that I would never again see her smile, or hear her voice, or feel her caress. I was feeling these feelings AT THE SAME TIME. It was very confusing. I came to realize that I now lived in the land of conflicting emotions. Waves of emotions would wash over me, triggered by the smallest and most obscure sights, sounds, smells, and memories. While the height of the waves has subsided somewhat, they continue to pound the shoreline of my soul. I think about what a friend whose son was murdered told me several years ago, “I will never get over it, but I will get through it.” I have been searching for ways to get through it. Walking, swimming, pushups, ballroom dancing lessons, hiking, board games. On Sunday I am going to Kentucky for two weeks with God’s Pit Crew to help build a house for a family whose home was destroyed by a natural disaster. This past weekend I was in Tampa for Camp Widow, an event held by Soaring Spirits International. Walking into a room with over 200 people who are on the same journey of loss and grief that I am was nothing short of transformational. Stories were told, tears were shed, and somehow being around others carrying the same burden made the load a little bit lighter. I came away refreshed and transformed, with fifteen new friends from all over the country. We have a group text and plan to stay connected. I hope that none of you reading this right now are part of this club I find myself a part of. But if you are, please find a community of others who are also members. Lean on each other, cry together, carry each other’s burden, and generally, show up for each other. I recommend it highly. Don’t try to go over, under, or around your grief. The only way through it is to walk through it. I plan to start a local group of widows and widowers to provide a safe place to walk through this valley together. If you or someone you know is on this journey please call me at 540-556-0650. I would love to connect with you and share our journey together. You may notice that this column runs together without separation of paragraphs. I did this on purpose. In this grief journey, everything runs together. It is, after all, the land of conflicting emotions. Call me and we will walk this journey together.
Most Wonderful Time of the Year
What is it that makes Christmastime the most wonderful time of the year? Certainly, for those of us who are Christians, the celebration of the birth of our Savior is the most important part of this joyous season. A little research, however, will reveal that there is very little evidence that Jesus was born on December 25. It is considered likely that this particular date was borrowed from the pagan holiday Saturnalia. During the seventeenth century, both in England and parts of the American colonies, Christmas was banned by the church because it was believed to be connected to pagan rituals and not properly reverent. Other faiths and traditions also seem to celebrate at this time of year. Maybe we all need something to celebrate when it is cold outside and many living things seem to have retreated into the earth. At any rate, for most of us, the Christmas season is a time of sights and sounds and tastes and smells that we cherish and look forward to all year. It is a time when we are more likely to pause and consider what is important in life. A time when we take to the time to ponder how important our family and friends are to each of us. Life is short and none of us is guaranteed tomorrow. Make time to enjoy the season and spend time with those you love while you have the opportunity. When you gather at the homes of family and friends to enjoy the special fellowship of the Christmas season, please be mindful of safety and accessibility in the home. Most of us never consider fall prevention or access into and out of the home until we are forced to by a fall or the loss of mobility in ourselves or a loved one. At Christmastime, when we often have extended family visiting or we are visiting them is the perfect time to consider increasing the safety and accessibility of our homes. Some of these modifications can be quite simple, like removing throw rugs or trailing extension cords. Other modifications, such as adding a master suite addition for multigenerational living can involve a significant investment of time and money. Most modifications to improve safety and accessibility are somewhere between these two examples. Adding grab bars, railings, or other features to help prevent falls is often the first line of defense when creating a safer and more accessible home for people of all ages and abilities. I believe that we all benefit when we gather together with family and friends of differing ages and abilities. Young people glean the wisdom of their seniors and older folks enjoy the energy and enthusiasm of the young. As you make your plans for this holiday season, make sure you plan for safety and accessibility in your home and the homes of your loved ones. Whatever other plans you have for this festive time of the year, I hope you plan to spend time enjoying the company of those you hold most dear. Take time to consider those things in life that are most important to you. Please consider how great a gift the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ really is. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year! Contact Chris to learn more at 540-384-2064 or by email at cmoore@solidrockenterprises.com.
Would You Like a Safer Home and Tax Savings?
I have been telling you about the Livable Homes Tax Credit for years in Housing Matters. The LHTC is the Virginia state income tax credit that allows homeowners or contractors to take up to $5,000 off their state income tax liability if they build an accessible home or make accessible home modifications to their existing homes. This tax credit has certainly been a benefit to many people in helping to offset the expenses of home modifications to enhance accessibility. Home modifications are extremely important in a world where 10,000 people a day are turning 65, almost everyone wants to stay in their home, and most of us live in Peter Pan housing (Housing built for people that never grow old). Against this backdrop, there has been an effort for many years to pass Federal legislation to provide a tax break for people modifying their homes to enhance accessibility. At the forefront of this effort is Louis Tenenbaum. Louis was a remodeling contractor, who was asked to remodel a bathroom to meet the needs of an individual with significant mobility impairments. Just like the first time I was asked to do something like that, he had no idea how to proceed. In the process of researching that project he came face to face with the reality that many people need modifications, but don’t know how to go about getting them. That was over 30 years ago, and since then, Louis has become a tireless advocate of aging in place and making it easier for people through home modifications. Louis founded the Homes Renewed Coalition. Their mission is to significantly increase the number of American homes prepared for residents to live throughout the modern lifespan by conducting research and educating consumers and legislators. Due to the efforts of Louis and other members of the coalition (I am proud to be a member), a tax bill is scheduled to be introduced in Congress that will make home modifications for accessibility tax deductible up to $60,000. The bill would allow homeowners to use funds from their IRAs, 401Ks, and other retirement plans without penalty. It has been estimated that, if enacted, this legislation would save homeowners an average of 20% on home improvement projects that increase the safety and accessibility of their homes. And while they are waiting for the Congressional Budget Office to score the bill, the Homes Renewed Coalition has a study called Making it Safe to Age in Place that makes the case that the lost tax revenue to the government would be more than offset by the savings from reduced falls and other injuries sustained by older Americans because they live in Peter Pan housing. The adage, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” certainly applies here. It has never made sense to me that Medicare will pay for a wheelchair but not a wheelchair ramp or that they will pay for treatment for a broken hip but not a grab bar to help prevent a broken hip. Just as tax incentives for solar energy or electric vehicles have incentivized people to utilize these technologies, this bill will incentivize more people to create safe and accessible homes for themselves and their loved ones. I am excited about the potential to help more people stay safely and comfortably in their homes as long as they choose to. This legislation has been a long time in the making and it is exciting to see it moving forward. For more information about this bill as it progresses, log in to Homes Renewed Coalition or email me at cmoore@solidrockenterprises.com.
Could You Use a $5,000 Tax Credit?
If you followed my advice last year and took steps to make your home safer and more accessible you may qualify for a tax credit. The Livable Homes Tax Credit is a Virginia income tax credit for building or buying a home with certain accessibility features or for remodeling to incorporate these features into your existing home. You may qualify for up to a $5,000 tax credit and you can carry the credit forward for up to seven years. If you qualify for the tax credit for 2021 you have until January 31 to submit the application. If you purchased a new home in 2021 (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: at least one zero step entry into the house an accessible bathroom on the same level as the zero step entry 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, 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 prorated 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. Call Us to Get Started 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. Chris Moore is the owner of Solid Rock Enterprises and writes a regular Housing Matters column for Senior News.
Safety in the Home; It’s Time to Think About Fall Prevention
As the weather gets cooler, we will be likely to spend more time indoors. It is a good time to look at our homes for safety and fall prevention. As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Let’s take time to look at our home as if it were the first time we saw it. Sometimes a fresh perspective will show us things we never saw before. A Safe Home Starts at the Front Door and Entryway Start with the front door. Is there a clear, slip resistant, hard surface walkway to reach it? Is there plenty of bright lighting, preferably on a motion detector? Is the entryway protected from the weather? Is there a package shelf where you can place items while opening the door? Are there full-length sidelights or multiple peep sights so that everyone in the household can see who is at the door before opening it? Is there a zero-step entryway so that people of various abilities can enter easily? If you answered no to any of these questions, you might want to consider making some changes to your entryway. Fall Prevention Inside the Home Once inside the door look for lack of lighting and fall hazards as well as other safety issues as you move throughout the home. One of the most common tripping hazards found in homes is loose throw rugs. Loose flooring, particularly at transitions between different flooring types can be another cause for concern. Make sure that there are not trailing extension cords or clutter in walkways that could present a fall hazard. Handrails, grab bars, or other handholds throughout the house can be helpful in preventing falls. Bright, glare free lighting in the home, particular in circulation areas such as hallways and stairs can help prevent falls. Battery powered; motion activated lights are a low-cost way to bring light to dimly lit areas. Most of these hazards can be remedied at little to no cost just by taking the time to address them. If you have a loved one who would benefit from these measures, help them to see the importance of preventative measures. Fall Prevention Tips for Bathrooms As always, the bathroom is a prime area of concern when it comes to safety and fall prevention. There are many safety concerns in the typical bathroom. The room is too small, the floors are too slippery, the door is too narrow, the lighting is too dim, the controls are too difficult to operate, the tub or shower is difficult to enter, and there are no grab bars or other fall prevention. Think safety first, accessibility second, and convenience third. Grab bars should be included in every bathroom, regardless of the age of the residents. Safety and fall prevention are for everyone. If the flooring is slippery, changing the flooring or adding a slip-resistant coating should be a high priority. Widening the door and changing the bathtub to a curbless shower will allow the bathroom to be more accessible to all. Adding lever controls to the doorknob, faucets, shower valve, and other controls will allow those with limited hand strength to access the controls. Adding better lighting will improve safety by making it easier to see. Changing the faucets and shower valves to pressure balancing, positemp controls or lowering the water temperature can help prevent burns, particularly among those with limited feeling in their extremities. Call Us to Get Started I hope these suggestions will help you look at your home with new eyes. If you need help implementing any of these ideas, or any of our other remodeling services, please give us a call at 540-384-2064 or visit our website at www.solidrockenterprises.com. Chris Moore is the owner of Solid Rock Enterprises and writes a regular Housing Matters column for Senior News.
Thank a Veteran
On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month back in 1918, an agreement was reached to suspend hostilities in World War I which was called at the time, “The War to End all Wars.” As we all know, it was not the war to end all wars, as millions of brave American men and women have served to defend our freedom in the decades since then. November 11 was celebrated as Armistice Day until 1954 when the name was changed to Veteran’s Day. It is a day to honor our veterans and thank them for all they have done to preserve and defend the American way of life. In so many ways our freedoms are being eroded from within and many people do not treasure the freedoms which remain. If you are a veteran, I and my family thank you for your service from the bottom of our heart. Please take some time this month and throughout the year to thank a veteran for their service. It is critical to our country that we remember where we have come from and thank those who have helped us to defend freedom. In my work I have the privilege of performing home modifications for veterans to help them get around in their homes more easily. I am always struck by the strength and stability of these veterans. Although many of them returned from war with grievous injuries, most of them do not expect or want any attention for themselves. They believe they were just doing their job. Particularly among veterans of World War II, there is a common belief that everyone just did what was necessary to save our country. We could sure use some of that kind of thinking today! There are around 23 million veterans living in the United States and over 9 million of them are over 65. Along with the population at large, these veterans are aging and facing the challenges associated with growing older. Let’s all look for ways to make these veteran’s lives a little easier. Just taking the time to thank them for their service and let them know that some of us really appreciate all they have done really makes their day! Home Modifications for Veterans If you are a veteran and need help paying for needed home modifications there are a number of grants available to offset the cost of these modifications. They include the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant, the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant, and the Granting Freedom grant. While the bulk of these grants are available to veterans who need modifications due to service connected disabilities, there are some programs available for all veterans. Any amounts not covered by these grants may also be eligible for the Livable Homes Tax Credit which I have written about in Housing Matters in the past. To learn more about these programs please feel free to give me a call at (540) 384-2064. Thank you to all those who have served our country and defended our freedoms. God bless you! Chris Moore is the owner of Solid Rock Enterprises and writes a regular Housing Matters column for Senior News.
Multigenerational Housing is Making a Comeback
Multigenerational Housing is back in a big way. Multigenerational households contain three or more generations under one roof or skip a generation, such as grandparents raising their grandchildren without the parents being present. An estimated 67 million Americans, comprising one in four adults over the age of 18 currently live in a multigenerational household. This represents a 271% increase over the last ten years. Webinar: How to Best Retrofit a Home for Multigenerational Living Wednesday, October 6, 2021 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM ETLEARN MORE + REGISTER Several factors have contributed to this increase: Economic conditions such as job loss or retirement savings being insufficient has been a major contributing factor in many of these cases. Increased apprehension about senior living facilities is another factor leading to an increase in multigenerational households. Immigration of people from cultures where multigenerational living is more common is another factor driving this increase. Regardless of the reasons that multigenerational living is increasing, the arrangement offers many benefits. There are also some challenges and pitfalls to watch out for when contemplating entering into a multigenerational living arrangement. For most of our history, multigenerational living was the prevailing living arrangement for most households. Prior to the industrial revolution, there were no retirement benefits and most people never ventured more than 50 miles from the place of their birth. Families were tight-knit and took care of their family members throughout the course of their lives. The TV show The Waltons represented a way of life that was the rule rather than the exception. After World War II, families became more mobile, frequently moving across the state or across the country to pursue work opportunities. The rise of company pensions, retirement savings, and Social Security lead to more seniors having the financial means to support themselves in retirement. During the period from 1940 to 1980 the percentage of Americans living in multigenerational housing fell by 50%. Now, due to factors including those mentioned above, the number of multigenerational households is increasing again. The more things change, the more they remain the same! Benefits of Multigenerational Living There are several benefits to multigenerational living. Certainly, the financial benefit is a major incentive for many of these households. Combining the income and financial resources of several generations makes it easier to make ends meet. Improved relationships between family members are another great benefit. The wisdom that younger generations gain from their elders and the enthusiasm and vitality that the older generation gains from being around young people is a vital part of society that we lose when the young and the old are sequestered from each other. The extra resources that are available for caregiving is another benefit. Challenges of Multigenerational Living There are also challenges and potential pitfalls that can accompany multigenerational living. Probably the most common one is the need to ensure that everyone has some level of privacy and some personal space that they can retreat to when required. Having open communication and the ability and willingness to address and resolve conflicts is vital to making multigenerational living work. No matter how much you love your extended family, there need to be healthy boundaries in place to preserve everyone’s sanity. You may not have enough room in your existing home to accommodate multiple generations under one roof. Often families considering multigenerational living will consider adding an addition to create more living space for additional family members. Oftentimes adding a bathroom, a second laundry room, or a second kitchen can make all the difference in having the room to accommodate a multigenerational household. If you are living in a multigenerational household and experiencing growing pains or are contemplating such an arrangement, give us a call at 540-384-2064. We can help. Webinar: How to Best Retrofit a Home for Multigenerational Living Wednesday, October 6, 2021 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM ETLEARN MORE + REGISTER
2020 Certified Aging in Place Specialist Designee
I am honored to be recognized as the 2020 Certified Aging in Place Designee of the Year. I enjoy creating homes that seniors are happy, comfortable, and safe in as they continue to age. Being a Certified Aging in Place Specialist, I have experience in constructing quality home remodels and builds for my senior customers that want to remain at home as they age. As you grow older, it becomes more important to be feel safe and at ease in your own house. Whether you live alone, with a partner, or with caregivers, something that shouldn’t come with age is losing independence. The inability to move around your own house, on your own, is something that should never be a requirement associated with aging and is a reason I became the first Certified Aging in Place Specialist in Roanoke Valley. Here is the press release from the National Association of Home Builders about my 2020 Aging in Place Specialist Designee of the Year award: Chris Moore, CAPS, CGR, founded Solid Rock Enterprises Inc. in Salem, Va., to provide quality building, remodeling and consulting services to his customers. Moore is an expert on using universal design principles to build and remodel homes to help seniors age in place; he performs comprehensive home evaluations to measure his clients’ abilities against the features of their homes in order to recommend home modifications customized for each client’s unique situation. Moore teaches the CAPS curriculum through NAHB and speaks to groups on aging in place, universal design, home modification and home safety. He is the author of Housing Matters, a column that appears monthly in Senior News, a member of the Age Safe® Advisory Team, serves on the Advisory Council at Good Samaritan Hospice and is a recognized expert on aging in place matters at www.caring.com. Remodeling your house to support your ability to live at home as you age is surely one of the most important home decisions you will ever make. And you want to be sure that the people you hire to make these home modifications understand the particular needs to aging in place customers. This recognition from NAHB as CAPS Designee of the year is another piece of evidence that Chris Moore and Solid Rock Enterprises are the right choice for your aging in place improvements. Don’t wait too long to upgrade your house, so that you can age without being forced to leave your house due to mobility issues. Call (540) 384-2064 today or click here to schedule a free consultation!
Features to look for in a New Home
If after assessing your current home and considering its accessibility features (or lack thereof) you have decided that making a change of venue is in your best interest, it is important to know what to look for in a new home. When looking for a new home in which to age in place, I would recommend that you consider not only the features of the home itself, but also its proximity to services that you might need as well as support services that could be helpful in your aging in place efforts. I will address each of those concerns separately here. In the home itself, the first thing I would look for is at least one zero step entry. Ideally, this entry should be protected from the weather, with a motion activated light and a package shelf. If there is an attached garage, then this is an ideal place for a zero step entry into the house. I would eliminate any house that does not have a zero step entry or could easily have one installed. The ability for people of all ages and abilities to enter the house is critical for a house for all ages. Doorways into the house and throughout all critical areas of the home (bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, etc.) should be 36” wide. If possible, find a house with 42” wide hallways, but at least 36”. A single story house or one equipped with an elevator or lift would enable you to access the entire even if stairs become too difficult to climb. I also consider an accessible bathroom on an accessible level to be a must have for any house to be used for aging in place. The bathroom should feature a 36” wide door, 60” diameter clear floor space for turning, a curbless shower, and a roll under sink. Other features to look floor include bright, glare free lighting, non slip flooring, fall protection, accessible storage, and easy to clean surfaces. I would also make sure that bedrooms and common areas such as living and dining rooms are easy to get to. Finally, especially if cooking and baking are activities that you enjoy, I would look for an accessible kitchen. Features to look for in an accessible kitchen include adjustable or varied countertop heights, accessible appliances, bright, glare free lighting, non slip flooring, fall protection, accessible storage, and easy to clean surfaces Accessible appliances include such things as roll under cooktop and sink, raised dishwasher, microwave and wall oven at convenient heights with adjacent countertops for placing dishes when removing, and French door refrigerators or those with freezer compartments on the bottom. Another valuable feature to look for is pull out and pull down shelves in cabinets. Accessible outdoor living areas such as porches, patios, and garden areas would be another option worth considering. Outside of the home, consider the location. Is the home convenient to amenities such as shopping, public transportation, delivery and home care services and other services that may be required? Is there a senior village or other network of people helping people located nearby? Is it located in a neighborhood that is improving or in decline? There is a lot of talk these days about walkable communities and the idea of neighborhoods that look more like an old fashioned village where everything you need is in close proximity to your home. If you have extended family or close friends that provide an informal support network, you would also want to consider proximity to them. Please call 540-556-0650 if you have questions.