How to Simplify and Customize Your Aging Options
Life is full of options. Every day we make choices, large and small. Some choices are trivial and minor, while other choices will have a huge impact on the rest of our lives. Decisions regarding our care as we get older fall into the latter category. Decisions like, “Where will we live?”, “Who will take care of us?”, and “How will we pay for it?” are questions we all should be asking and answering long before the need arises so that we will have a plan in place when the time comes. To help you put this plan in place, the Western and Central Virginia Aging in Place Council is proud to present the 4th Annual Aging in Place Symposium, “How to Simplify and Customize your Aging Options”. The symposium will be held on October 17th from 5-7:30 pm in Fitzpatrick Hall at the Jefferson Center located at 541 Luck Ave in Roanoke. Admission is free and refreshments will be provided. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from gifted speakers on healthcare, housing, legal considerations, and regional and state planning for the coming age wave. Bring your questions and concerns for the panel discussion. Experts in various fields relating to aging in place will be on hand to answer your questions and help allay your fears. You will leave with new tools in your toolbox and resources in hand to plan a better later life for you or a loved one. The Symposium is being hosted as part of National Aging in Place Week. Events will be held all over the country during the week of October 15-21 to help raise awareness of and find resources to successfully age in place. Our symposium will help seniors and their caregivers make and implement a plan to successfully stay in the home of their choice throughout the course of their lives. A panel discussion will bring experts from the fields of housing, health and wellness, personal finance, transportation, and community and social interaction together in one place. Bring your questions with you to ask our panel of experts. Where else can you get free answers to all your legal, medical, and other aging in place questions all in one place? In the past, many people have chosen to ignore their changing needs as they grew older. Oftentimes, decisions about housing and healthcare options in later life were made in crisis mode after a traumatic life event such as a fall. This in turn has led to less than optimal outcomes. The Western and Central Virginia Aging in Place Council intends to change all of that. Our goal is to give people the resources to make plans early and encourage people to do so. Attending this Symposium is a great place to start. We will have planning guides available for attendees to begin the process of planning for a better later life. If you would like to register for the event, please call 800-422-8482 or visit www.carilionclinic.org/calendar. Don’t let this opportunity to plan for a better future pass you by and please patronize our sponsors who have made this event possible. Here’s to your future and a better later life.
The Importance of Planning
There is an old adage that says, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” This adage holds true in the area of planning for later life, whether it be for ourselves or our loved ones. Many people engage in retirement planning in the sense that they endeavor to set aside money to live on after their working lives come to an end. Relatively few people, however, carry this planning to the next logical step and plan for the other aspects of living a better later life. In addition to having the funds to pay for our needs and our wants after we retire, I believe that it is important to plan for our housing needs, our healthcare needs, our transportation needs, and our community and social interaction needs. As the new chairman of the Western and Central Virginia Aging in Place Council, my goal is to provide tools and resources to help people in this planning process. Granted, if your plan is to move into a Continuing Care Retirement Community or other senior housing community, many of these needs will be provided for you by the community. However, my research shows that upwards of 90% of people would prefer to remain in their own homes as they age. Aging in place gives you the right to make your own decisions about most of the topics regarding your care, but you will also carry the responsibility for the outcomes of these decisions. You won’t be alone however. By 2030 the number of Americans over the age of 65 is expected to be over 70 million, nearly twice the number that there were just a few years ago. The fastest growing segment of the population, those over the age of 85, is increasing at the rate of 3,000 per day. I would strongly encourage each and every one of you who is even considering aging in place to begin to put together a plan for a better later life. Your plan should include housing, healthcare, personal finance, transportation, and community and social interaction. Your plan should answer the following questions about your later life. Where will I live? Who will take care of me? How will I pay for it? If all of this seems a little overwhelming and you would like some help, the aging in place council has a 20 page planning guide that will help you walk through a questionnaire to help you assess your needs, then prioritize and summarize these needs to help you get them met. Members of the council can help you with a wide variety of goods and services to help you successfully age in place. Just give us a call at 540-339-7891 or send us an email at westernandcentralvirginia@ageinplace.org. We would be more than happy to help you plan for a better later life. In addition, as always, if you need help building a new home that will meet your changing needs as you age, remodeling to adapt your current home, or consulting to help decide which option is a better choice for you, please get in touch with me. You can reach me at 540-384-2064 or cmoore@solidrockenterprises.com. Whether you are in the market for a new home, a major addition, a bathroom remodel, or a few grab bars to help prevent falls, Senior Remodeling Experts is your trusted source for a lifespan design home for a lifetime of living. Please let me know if I can help. And thank you for reading Housing Matters.
Planning for a Better Later Life
January marks the beginning of a new year. It is a time when people often resolve to make changes in their lives. Traditionally these resolutions are not very long lived, falling by the wayside weeks, days, or even hours after they are embarked upon. I think that this is because they are most often things that we would like to do, not things that we have actually resolved to do. I suggest that rather than making New Years resolutions to do certain things in our lives, we make plans to do them instead. Planning is a powerful tool to accomplish great things in our lives. It has been said that if we fail to plan, we are actually planning to fail. I am going to talk in particular about planning a better later life. Many people are hesitant to think about getting older and the challenges it brings, preferring instead to stick their heads in the sand. When the first attempt to make adaptations for later life occurs after a fall or other crisis, there is no time for planning, only reaction. The vast majority of Americans, when questioned, state that they would prefer to live out their days in their own homes. This idea, also known as Aging in Place, is an idea whose time has come. A number of us here in the Roanoke Valley and beyond belong to the Western and Central Virginia Chapter of the National Aging in Place Council. As part of its ongoing effort to help people successfully age in place, the council has developed a planning guide to help people work through the steps to planning a better later life. The guide covers the five core areas that are essential to successful aging in place which are: Housing Health and Wellness Personal Finance Transportation Community and Social Interaction The planning guide contains a questionnaire in each of these categories to guide you in objectively determining what your needs, resources, and challenges are in each of these areas. I encourage you to take the time to go through these sections thoroughly, do it early, and have a family member or trusted advisor who knows you well go through it with you to get a more objective result. At the end of each section, there is room to write down your needs in that core area. At the end of the guide, there is a page to summarize your needs and make a list of your priorities in creating a living environment that will help make your later years safe, comfortable and enjoyable. Finally, there is a place to list the things you can do yourself and the things you need help with. At the Aging in Place Council we have professionals who can help you get the help you need in each of these core areas, whether you need home modifications, home care, legal advice, financial assistance, medical help, transportation, or a myriad of other services. The planning guide is available for download at my website which can be found at seniorremodelingexperts.com or if you would like a copy mailed to you, call me at 540-384-2064. If I have impressed upon you the value of planning for a better later life, and you have questions, please give me a call. I will be speaking at various events throughout the coming year. Two that are coming up this month are The Greater Roanoke Home and Garden Show at the Berglund Center on January 13-15 and the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce Networking Breakfast on January 27 (contact the Chamber at 540-387-0267 for more information).
The time has come
My name is Chris Moore. I am the Director of Education for the Western and Central Virginia Aging in Place Council. I have been involved in construction in one form or another for thirty years and have owned my contracting business for fifteen. I have been actively involved in promoting Aging in Place issues for about eight years. I am passionate about people having the right, the availability, and the resources to remain in the home of their choice throughout the course of their lives. I don’t think that it is too strong of an opinion to state that the idea of the ability to stay in our own homes is as foundational to our way of life as these words from the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” If any of you have spent much time listening to someone who feels that circumstances are forcing them out of the home that they love into some sort of living arrangement that they detest, then you have seen someone struggling with the core issues of Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. Studies show that more seniors fear being admitted to a nursing home than fear death. The ability to live independently on one’s own terms is really at the very heart of who we are as people. What these people desire is what we call Aging in Place. Aging in place is commonly defined as the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level. Aging in Place is simply the idea that we can continue living in the home we are comfortable in throughout the course of our lives rather than be forced to move somewhere else because of the consequences of aging or disability. I don’t particularly like the term Aging in Place because it seems to suggest that there is a certain point in our lives when we start aging and at that point, when most people move, we decide to stay put instead. However, we will continue to use it until someone comes up with a better term. There are some who advocate using the term living in place to indicate the idea that it is a lifelong process. Whatever we call it, our challenge as advocates is to make the “place” as conducive as possible to the process of continuing to live there throughout the course of our lives. My interest in Aging in Place began in earnest when my mother’s health began to decline. My parents had been living in Arizona for quite a few years. When she began to have health issues, they moved back to the area to be closer to family. Like most family caregivers, we found ourselves in a caregiving role quite suddenly. Being a contractor, I knew how to build a ramp for getting in and out of the house and to install some grab bars in the bathroom to help prevent falls, but I really didn’t know what other kinds of modifications to make, nor did I have any idea what other products and services my mother might need or where to find them. Since that time I have become a Certified Aging in Place Specialist, a Certified Environmental Access Consultant, earned an Executive Certificate in Home Modification, and performed dozens of home modifications and consulted with hundreds of family members and caregivers who had grave concerns about their loved one’s safety. Throughout these experiences I have found that my experience of suddenly finding myself in a caregiving role is typical. Most people simply do not anticipate that they may become the primary caregiver for a parent, a spouse, or other loved one, who to some degree, is now unable to care for themselves. Whether the need is sudden such as from a fall or accident or the knowledge of the need is sudden because it has been kept hidden due to embarrassment or not wanting to bother anyone, the result is the same. Suddenly you are a caregiver. Now what? When you suddenly find yourself in a caregiving role there are really two issues at play and it is at the point that the two issues intersect that the adjustment must be made. One issue is the physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual ability of the individual with regard to mobility, sight, hearing, balance, range of motion, cognition, memory, well being, overall health, etc. This issue generally falls into the jurisdiction of a health care practitioner, such as a doctor, nurse, or occupational, physical, or speech therapist, counselor, pastor, or minister among others. The other issue is the built environment with regard to obstacles to activities of daily living. These obstacles can include stairs, raised thresholds, narrow doorways and hallways, slippery floors, poor lighting, inaccessible bathrooms, doorknobs that are difficult to turn, and a host of other fixtures found in a typical home. These items generally fall into the realm of architects, interior designers, contractors, builders, and remodelers. However it is at the point that these two issues meet that is critically important to the individual struggling to live in their home. That is why it is so important to have professionals from different disciplines at the table in order for us to offer real world solutions to people trying to age in place in our community. A home that is perfectly suited to someone with one type of disability would be totally inappropriate for someone with a different type of disability. The solution must meet the need. As an example as long as I am wearing these glasses, I can read my notes. The minute I take them off, I have become visually handicapped. The long term approach is to build homes that we can all live in comfortably for our entire
The Peter Pan Dilemma
All of us are getting older. It is a fact many want to ignore, but it is true. As we get older, various things don’t work as well as they once did. Things like eyesight, hearing, balance, and mobility all tend to decline as we age. I don’t say this to bring up a sore subject or ruin anyone’s day, but simply because as a home modification contractor and aging in place specialist, my job is to help as many people as possible remain independently in their own homes as long as they choose to. This goal is made more difficult because the homes most of us live in were not designed for people with any declines in their abilities. In short, they were designed and built for people who never grow old. That is why they are often referred to as “Peter Pan Housing”. The doorways and hallways are too narrow, there are too many stairs, the bathrooms are too small, etc. The list goes on and on. The Peter Pan Dilemma is what to do about the ever increasing number of seniors who are trying to live safely and comfortably in these homes. There are 10,000 Baby Boomers turning 65 each and every day in this country and 3,000 a day turning 85. With upwards of 90% of people stating that they prefer to remain in their homes as they age and the vast majority of them living in Peter Pan Housing, how will we possibly manage? The long term solution is to build more Universal Design (also called Lifespan Design) housing. These are homes that are designed and built to accommodate people of all ages and abilities without the need for modification. Homes built with zero step entries, wider hallways and doorways, curbless showers and grab bars in bathrooms, lower light switches and higher outlets, bright glare free lighting, and more open space will serve the needs not only of seniors but of people at all stages of life. As more and more people understand the benefits of this approach, the marketplace will respond by meeting this need. Here in Virginia, there is a Livable Homes Tax Credit that gives you a $5,000 credit against your State Income Taxes if you build or buy a new home that has certain accessibility features such as zero step entries, accessible bathrooms, and wider doorways included. (The credit is also available for remodeling an existing home to include these features). There is also a voluntary certification for builders who build accessible homes. This program is called Easy Living Homes and you can find a list of Certified Builders on their website. Any home certified as an Easy living Home will automatically qualify for the tax credit. That covers the long term solution, but what about the short term solutions? Home Modifications to make homes safer and more accessible is a big part of our work at Senior Remodeling Experts. We get calls all the time from family members of seniors who are experiencing mobility issues and fear losing their independence. Many have fallen and been hospitalized and are trying to figure out how they can safely return to the homes they love and feel comfortable in. We perform home assessments which measure the homes features and compare them with the present and future needs of the resident. Depending on the needs of the client, we can assess for Safety, Balance, Fall Prevention, and Wheelchair Accessibility. Taking into account budgetary as well as aesthetic considerations, we are able to provide a list of recommended home modifications to adapt the home to make it more accessible, safer, and more comfortable. Common home modifications include grab bars, wider doorways, ramps, non-slip and fall protection flooring, curbless showers, tub cuts, roll under sinks, accessible appliances, and accessible storage. We also offer Remote Activity Monitoring that will alert a family member or caregiver if a pre programmed event suggests that there might be a concern. If you live outside of Southwest Virginia and need a contractor to perform home modifications at your home or the home of a loved one, you can search for contractors who hold the Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) designation in the CAPS Directory. The CAPS training teaches contractors, therapists, real estate agents, and anyone who is interested how to understand the housing needs of those who wish to remain permanently in their homes as well as the technical and business management skills to make it a reality. For anyone interested in receiving this valuable training, I will be teaching the require classes at the Roanoke Regional Home Builders Association on May 11, 12, and 13. Home modification is not the only piece in the puzzle. In order for someone to successfully age in place, it is important that they have other supports besides an accessible home. Help with transportation, activities of daily living (ADLs), healthcare, finances, and social interaction are all important aspects of an aging in place plan. The key is to start early. People often tell me, “I’m not ready for that yet!” when I have this conversation with them. I make it a point to explain to them how important it is to have these safeguards in place BEFORE you are ready for them. Otherwise you won’t have them in place when you DO need them. As the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” For help in formulating your plan for aging in place I recommend that you download our Planning Guide which was developed by the National Aging in Place Council. In conclusion, I want to reiterate the value of planning ahead to create a home that is safe, beautiful, and accessible for all ages and abilities. One day all homes will be built with Lifespan Design in mind. Until that day comes, make changes now to make your home or the home of a loved a lifetime. Please feel free to call us at 540-384-2064 or email me at
Deadline for Tax Credit Looming
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 2015 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 2015 (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.
Assisted Living v. Aging in Place
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Volunteers to host symposium on ‘Aging in Place’
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Aging in Place symposium helps seniors with decisions
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