Safety in the Rock
As I sit down to write this month’s column, many people around me are consumed with fear and the overriding sense of uncertainty of what the days and weeks ahead will look like is palpable. Where do you turn for comfort when uncertainty fills your life? It is precisely during times of crisis and uncertainty that the need for faith in an omnipresent and omniscient God is shown most clearly. It is easy to have faith when the sailing is smooth, the sun is shining, there is money in the bank, and everyone is healthy. When the storm clouds gather, the cupboards and the bank account are bare, and sickness looms we discover whether our faith is strong or anemic. Or maybe you don’t have any faith in anything larger than yourself. Maybe you are one of those people who depends entirely on your own resources to get you through whatever life brings your way. In that case you are definitely facing a crisis when you find yourself face to face with a situation that you have absolutely no power to control. When I was starting my company twenty years ago I named it Solid Rock Enterprises after the scripture in Matthew 7: 24-27 which says, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” On what foundation is your life built on? Have you had more time on your hands lately to think about it? The Bible says that whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved! Have you also noticed things around your house that need attention lately? Safety in the home is a very real concern. According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), falls are the leading cause of fatal injury and the most common cause of nonfatal trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults. Falls result in more than 2.8 million injuries treated in emergency departments annually, including over 800,000 hospitalizations and more than 27,000 deaths. Many of these falls are due to environmental hazards within the home. Things like trailing extension cords and clutter can be remedied easily. Other projects require more of an investment but are well worth the expense in increased peace of mind and decreased chance of falling. Here are a few items to consider: Adding grab bars throughout your home in areas of fall risk such as bathrooms, stairways, level changes, and entryways. Adding extra lighting in areas that are poorly lit. Adding motion sensors will assure that the lights are on when you need them. Adding non slip flooring in place of slippery flooring, especially wet areas such as bathrooms, laundry areas, and kitchens. Also adding anti slip treads or tape on stairs can help prevent a nasty fall. Converting a bathtub into a curbless or step in shower can make it easier and safer to bathe. Be sure to incorporate the grab bars mentioned above and possibly a shower seat. If I can help with any of these or other home safety modifications, please give me a call at 540-384-2064
Protection from Fear
There is a great deal of fear and apprehension in the air these days. Many people are overcome with overwhelming fear of coronavirus. Without delving into the validity or lack thereof of the threat itself I would like to take a few moments to address our reaction to it. It is during times of fear and uncertainty that we come face to face with where our trust resides and what we count on to get us through difficult times. Psalm 20:7 says “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” It is during times of adversity that we discover whether or not we do truly trust in the Lord or God. I would encourage you all to put your trust in God during these uncertain times and always. There is a story of a Brigade of soldiers in World War 1. This Brigade fought in some of the bloodiest conflicts in the Great War. Other units sustained up to 90% casualties in these conflicts, but this Brigade never lost a man. What was their secret? Each man in the Brigade recited a Psalm of protection each day. You may wonder which Psalm they recited. It is the 91st Psalm and they were the 91st Brigade. I encourage you to tap into the power that protected the 91st Brigade to protect you throughout the course of your life. If you are not familiar with it, it goes like this: He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him will I trust.” Surely, He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence, He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation. I hope and pray that you and your family will be blessed and encouraged by this column and we will return to Housing Matters next month.
Ten Years Later It was ten years ago, in May of 2009, that the very first edition of Housing Matters appeared here in the pages of Senior News. It is hard to believe that ten years have passed. In that initial column I laid out the fact that most people want to continue to live in their own homes as they age. I also pointed out that most of our homes are not designed and built for people of any age who are experiencing any mobility impairments. These two facts have not changed appreciably in the last ten years. When asked, most people will still tell you they would prefer to remain in their own homes throughout the course of their lives. Unfortunately, most homes are still built with no thought towards accommodating the mobility impairments that can happen to us at any stage of our lives, but are increasingly likely to occur as we grow older. Most of our homes are still what I call “Peter Pan Housing”. What is “Peter Pan Housing” you ask? Simply put, it is housing built for people who never grow old! The standard home, with its steep stairs, small bathrooms, narrow doorways, dim lighting, slippery floors, and cramped kitchen, is simply not suited for the growing number of us who don’t get around as well as we used to. Not to mention those of us who don’t see or hear as well as we used to. Or who have trouble with balance. The list goes on and on. Don’t get me wrong. I do not mean to create the impression that I think nothing has changed in ten years. I do not believe that all of my writing and speaking and persuading people to modify their homes has been in vain. Let me tell you some of the things that I have seen change in the last ten years. First of all, the awareness of Aging in Place is growing by leaps and bounds. Ten years ago, when I mentioned Aging in Place, Universal Design, or home modification, almost no one knew what I was talking about. Today, many people understand these terms and are planning ahead to make changes to their homes before it becomes an urgent need. This is particularly true when people have spent any time in the role of a caregiver for a parent or other loved one. We still have a long way to go in getting people to plan for a better later life, but I am encouraged by the progress that we have made. Many people are still resistant to the idea of thinking and talking about the fact that their needs are changing as they get older. We need to keep working to persuade people that “expect the best, prepare for the worst” is very good advice. Another area that I have seen great change in is the explosion of new products and services in the marketplace. There are products such as Safeway Steps to convert a bathtub into a step in shower and new railing and grab bar options by the dozens. There are technology based solutions to help loved ones stay in touch and respond quickly when there is a need. There are companies that supply needs from transportation to meal and prescription delivery to home care directly to people’s homes popping up everywhere. Meanwhile as baby boomers continue to turn 65 at the rate of 10,000 per day (the oldest baby boomers are now 73) the need for aging in place goods and services continues to grow. What will the next ten years bring? Let’s find out together!
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.
Age out Loud!
May is Older Americans Month. Since 1963, Older Americans Month has been a time to celebrate and focus on the accomplishments, the contributions, and the inspiring stories of those of us who have lived a long life. It is a time to give extra attention to the fact that growing older is something to be embraced and enjoyed, not looked at with dread and trepidation. This year’s theme, “Age Out Loud”, emphasizes the ways older adults are living their lives with boldness, confidence, and passion while serving as an inspiration to people of all ages. To age out loud means to shed the stereotypes of what getting older means. Your age is just a number. Don’t let it dictate what you can do. Job 12:12 says, “Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?” Older Americans have the benefit of a lifetime of wisdom, and often have more time and financial resources at their disposal to take part in activities that were difficult or impossible to undertake earlier in their lives. Is there something you have always wanted to do, but never had the time, or the money, or the nerve? Maybe everyone told you it was a crazy idea. Maybe it is time to go out on a limb and do the thing you have always wanted to do but never thought you could. Is there somewhere you have always wanted to go, but never have been able to? My grandmother made three trips to Australia alone after she retired, including flights over the outback in a tiny single engine plane, and visiting the aborigines. It was something she had always wanted to do, so she did it. What have you always wanted to do? People are living longer than ever before and many people are healthy and fit into their eighties, nineties, and beyond. With so much emphasis put on trying to preserve youth, I think it is important to highlight the advantages of having lived a long life. With long life comes experience, knowledge, and wisdom. Think of all the things you have learned in the course of your life. Continuing to learn new things throughout your life keeps your brain healthy and remaining active keeps your body healthy. If there is something you are passionate about, look for ways to get involved with and organization or group that advocates for the area you care about. Lots of church and civic groups would love to have your help. Young people need the influence of older people in their lives to be able to reap the benefit of their years of wisdom. I believe that one of the greatest advantages of aging in place or aging in community is keeping the wisdom and perspective of older people available to our young people. I think all of us loose a great deal when our seniors are isolated in age restricted communities. I recommend that all of you take the occasion of Older Americans Month to “Age Out Loud” and encourage others to do the same. Share this article with someone who needs a new perspective on aging. Step outside your comfort zone and undertake something you have always wanted to do but didn’t think you could. Let’s change the way we think about aging. Embrace life and look at each day as a new opportunity to experience life. Each day of our life is a gift from God and how we live it is our gift to him. Thank you for reading Housing Matters and live each day to the fullest!
Thoughts for the New Year
As we begin another New Year, I’d like to take a moment to think about what we would like to accomplish in the coming year. I would like to see this be the year that planning ahead to have a home for a lifetime begins to be perceived as wisdom rather than surrender. I would like to see zero step entries and grab bars in the shower become the must have features of new homes. I would like to see home modifications to improve accessibility become one of the most sought after remodeling projects of 2016. Do I want to see these things because this what I do for a living and I want my business to grow? Of course, but it is much deeper than that. This year marks my fifteenth year in business. During that time I have seen many people who would have benefited from home modifications decide not to have them done because of a perception that somehow preparing your home to be safe, accessible, and beautiful for the rest of your life is the same as surrendering to old age. Nothing could be further from the truth. Actually to have a professional assessment of your home and act on the recommendations to create a home that is safe and accessible is of the most important steps you can take in retirement planning. For most of us, our home is the biggest investment we will ever make. To have a safe, accessible home is the foundation for a solid retirement plan. If you need assistance with activities of daily living, you can bring in caregivers for much less than you would pay in a facility for the same care. And you get the benefit of being in the comfortable environment of your own home. In order to kick off the New Year and encourage everyone to get a home assessment I will be offering home assessments for half price throughout the month of January. These comprehensive assessments provide assessment of your entire home in four key areas of concern. These areas are balance, fall prevention, safety, and wheelchair accessibility. I will provide you the advantage of my 30 years of experience in the construction industry as well as the knowledge gained through my certification as a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS), Certified Environmental Access Consultant (CEAC), and Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR) as well as my Executive Certificate in Home Modification. Provided with the assessment will be a list of recommendations as well as the cost to perform the modifications. This complete assessment which normally costs $450 will be available during the month of January for only $225. When you consider that the assessment and subsequent modifications could very well prevent a fall or other serious injury, the cost is negligible. When you further consider that the cost of the assessment is credited toward the modifications and that half of the cost of the modifications may be credited back to you under the Livable Homes Tax Credit (more on this next month) I can’t understand why everyone wouldn’t want to get the assessment done. For more information please call us at 540-384-2064.
Second Annual Aging in Place Symposium
Each day that passes in this country there are ten thousand people turning sixty five and three thousand people turning eighty five. The segment of the population over eighty five is the fastest growing demographic. The number of people over sixty five will double by 2030 from 2000 numbers. The point is that as a society we are getting older. More and more of us are being called on to be a caregiver to a loved one. The need for education and resources to help people negotiate the challenges of caregiving continues to increase. If you are a family caregiver, are anticipating becoming one, or know someone who is, there is an event being held this month which will be a great benefit to you. The Western and Central Virginia Aging in Place Council is hosting the second annual aging in place symposium on Tuesday, October 13 from 4:30 to 7:30 pm. The symposium will bring together thought leaders and service providers who are in the trenches providing services to seniors aging in place, caregivers, and their families. Since seniors who choose to age in place are responsible for their own care, it is important to assemble a care team to help provide this care in the five core areas of aging in place. These five core areas are housing, healthcare, personal finance, transportation, and community and social interaction. We will have professionals on hand to help people evaluate their needs in each of these areas and formulate a plan to meet these needs. Anyone who thinks they might find themselves aging in place or might be a caregiver to a senior aging in place should make plans to attend. We will be featuring two discussion panels at the Symposium. The first will be a panel of physicians. If you have medical questions that you would like to get answered, please come to the symposium. The chance to ask a medical question of a physician without making an appointment and going to his or her office is a rare opportunity. In addition to the physicians’ panel we will host an aging in place panel. The panelists will be professionals who work in various industries providing services to seniors aging in place and their families as well as all types of caregivers. If you have questions about how to plan for and carry out a certain aspect of caring for an aging loved one in their home or yours or just want to learn more about what is involved so that you can care for a loved one if (and when) you need to, please plan to attend the symposium. It has been said that there are only four types of people; those who have been caregivers, those who are caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need a caregiver. The aging of America will affect us all. Plan on attending the second annual Aging in Place Symposium to learn how you can become part of the solution. For more information on the Symposium, please call the Council at 540-339-7891 or visit us online at http://www.ageinplace.org/Local-Chapters/Western-and-Central-Virginia You will find information not only on the Symposium but also on the National Aging in Place Council and a host of resources that will help you or your loved one successfully age in place. As always if you have questions about how your house can be your home for a lifetime or have a topic you would like to see covered in Housing Matters please call me at 540-384-2064 or visit our website at https://solidrockenterprises.com. Thank you for reading Housing Matters!
Retirement Begins at Home
For most of us, our homes represent the largest single investment we will ever make. As we look towards retirement, making sure that our homes provide a good return on our investment is smart planning. This is true not only from a financial perspective but also in the sense that our homes will provide a safe and comfortable environment for us to live out our lives. A home that is full of fall hazards and impairments to mobility is like a ticking time bomb which could go off at any minute, shattering our independence. As you plan for retirement, I suggest that you spend as much effort on preparing your home to be a home for life as you do on laying a good financial footing to fund your retirement years. What features should you look for in a safe, comfortable, and beautiful retirement home? First and foremost, it should be a home we enjoy living in and feel relaxed in. For many of us, this is the home we currently live in, which is exactly why we live there. There should be at least one, and preferably more, zero step entries. Anyone, including people who use a wheelchair or walker, can enter the home easily. Hallways and doorways throughout the home should be wide enough to allow passage in a wheelchair or walker, Three foot wide doorways and four foot wide hallways are generally considered optimum. The next area I recommend taking a good hard look at is the bathroom. Many falls occur in the bathroom, and falls are the leading cause of injuries in older adults. An open floor plan bathroom with a curbless shower, comfort height commode, and plenty of grab bars can go along ways toward promoting safety and be quite luxurious to boot. The spacious open feel of a custom curbless shower lends a spa like feel to an accessible bathroom, while the fold up seat and grab bars make it safe and comfortable. Throughout the home, provide non slip flooring and bright glare free lighting. Make sure there are no trailing extension cords or clutter to trip over. It is also a good idea to have accessible walkways and a maintenance free exterior. These are just a few of the ideas that you might consider as you look over your house with an eye on creating a home for life. For a more complete set of checklists or a comprehensive home assessment, contact Senior Remodeling Experts at (540) 384-2064. We have the knowledge and expertise to recommend accessibility solutions that will go a long toward ensuring that you will be able to live safely and comfortably in the home that you love for many years to come. Please let us know if we can be of service to you and thank you for reading Housing Matters.
Planning for the Future
We don’t like the word old. We also don’t like the words elderly, senior, “getting on in years”, aged, “no spring chicken”, older, “not getting any younger”, etc. You get the idea. The value of youth is extolled, while the value of old age is scorned. Nobody wants to admit to getting “old”. When you talk about solutions to help people adapt to the inevitable repercussions of aging, they reply, “I’m not ready for that yet.”, or “That’s for old people.” Think of the things that get better with age. With age comes wisdom. (Or at least it should!) Why do so many people want to stick their heads in the sand when it comes to preparing their homes so that they can live safely and comfortably in them for the rest of their lives? I get the impression that people think that if they install a grab bar in their bathroom or add an extra handrail on their stairs they are surrendering to the onslaught of old age, never to return. I prefer to say they are showing wisdom. We are encouraged to plan ahead for every other eventuality in life. We are encouraged to get our financial house in order for retirement, why not our physical house? Having a home that is safe, accessible, comfortable, and beautiful is one of the best investments you can make in your retirement. Those who turn a blind eye to the fact that most of us live in Peter Pan Housing (Housing built for people who never grow old!) frequently find themselves suddenly facing the fact that they can no longer live there after a fall or other traumatic event. Decisions made when facing a crisis are almost universally bad decisions. Don’t wait until there is a crisis! Make plans now to have a home that will serve you throughout your life. I believe that all homes should be built using Universal or Lifespan Design. Since only 15% of us go through life without experiencing some form of mobility challenge at some point in our life, it makes sense to build homes that don’t present barriers to entry or movement throughout the home. You may be surprised to learn how simple it is to have a home that is accessible to all people. The simple act of installing 3’ wide doors throughout the home can make a huge difference in access not just for those who use a wheelchair or walker but also for everyday use. (And for those moving the furniture in or out!) The price difference between a 2’ wide door and a 3’ wide door is negligible when compared with the price of replacing it later. There are many examples of simple and inexpensive changes that can be made to make our homes more user friendly, but the first change that must be made is in our thinking. Take a few minutes to think about your home and what it means to you. If it is a place you love and feel comfortable in, what changes can you make to make it a home for a lifetime? If you need help with planning, get in touch with us. We can help. A good place to start is with the Aging in Place Planning Guide. You can download it from our website at www.solidrockenterprises.com or you can call us at 540-384-2064 and we will be happy to send you a copy. Thank you for reading Housing Matters.
Retirement Planning Starts at Home
Over the last few months, I have become increasingly aware of a phenomenon that puzzles me. It has been there all along, that is, since I have been helping people live safely and comfortably in the home of their choice. I have written about it before in this column (See Housing Matters from May 2011, “I’m not ready for that yet”). The phenomenon is simply this. Many people believe that if they even consider modifying their homes to make them safer and more accessible, they are somehow surrendering to the aging process and are two steps from the grave. The thought (spoken or unspoken) is that those things are for old people and old is always considered ten years older than your present age. The puzzling part to me is the fact that people prepare financially to be ready for retirement without feeling they are surrendering to the inevitability of their own mortality. Why then do they feel that preparing their home to be a safe, comfortable and beautiful environment for them to reside in during their retirement years is any different? It seems to me that having a home that will suit your needs should be one of the basic building blocks of retirement planning. After all if you have to suddenly make other living arrangements it could severely and negatively impact your financial plan. I looked at several checklists of suggested items to do to get ready for retirement. Only one mentioned anything about housing and that was not in the context of accessibility. Most people are intentionally turning a blind eye to their changing housing needs as they age, to their own detriment! What can be done about it? I believe that we need a paradigm shift. I believe that creating a home for yourself that is safe, beautiful, and accessible and that will serve your needs throughout the course of your life is one of the wisest retirement planning investments you can make. It is an investment in not only your physical well being but your mental and emotional well being as well. People are happier and more relaxed at home. Start today to make your home an important part of your retirement plan! Dave Ramsey, the author, speaker, and radio host who tirelessly extols the benefits of getting out of debt and building wealth starts his radio program with the saying, “Where the paid off home mortgage takes the place of the BMW as the status symbol of choice.” While I am not suggesting that the lifespan designed home will take the place of the well funded retirement account in retirement planning, I am suggesting that it take its place firmly beside it. For most of us, our home is the biggest investment we will ever make. Designing and building this investment to serve us well for the long haul makes good sense from a practical as well as a financial sense. Here are some things to look for when building or remodeling a home for a lifetime: An accessible approach to the home from the outdoors A zero step entry Wide hallways and doors with lever handles At least one accessible bathroom Bright, glare free lighting Slip resistant flooring Railings or grab bars at strategic locations There are many other features to consider and these features will vary somewhat depending on the situation. If you have questions about how an accessible home can be an important part of your retirement plan, please call us at (540) 384-2064 or email us at cmoore@solidrockenterprises.com. Thank you for reading Housing Matters.