Housing Matters

Would a ramp help you live a more independent life by making it easier for you to get in and out of the house? This month we celebrate Independence Day when our nation declared its independence from Great Britain. For many of us, the idea of independence becomes an extremely personal matter as our mobility diminishes with age. Whether we experience a sudden loss of mobility or a more gradual reduction in our mobility, the steps we typically have leading to our homes can be a major obstacle. A good solution for many people is a ramp. People are often hesitant to install a ramp because they think it will be ugly and stigmatize their home. I am going to show you how you can have a ramp that vastly improves access to your home and fits in well with your home’s style and appearance. When I am looking at installing a ramp there are several things I look for. The proper slope for a ramp is 12” of length for every 1” of height. Sometimes it makes more sense to put a ramp at the back or the side of the house. I also will design a ramp to fit well with the style of the house. Notice how the railings on this ramp matchthe railings on the porch. It is also important to make sure that any landings are large enough to allow turning. 5’ by 5’ is a good starting point. You also may want to accommodate those who may not need or want to use the ramp. This ramp allows people to continue to use the sidewalk and the stairs or to access the house via the ramp. Notice that both of these ramps are on the front of the house but blend in well. Additional shrubbery or other landscaping can also be used to soften the appearance of the ramp. If you have an attached garage or a carport on your home, this is often the best place to incorporate a ramp. In fact if you are building a new home, simply construct the garage or carport floor at the same height as the main floor level and you will never have to worry about access. This is a simple ramp built in a carport to provide access to the house. For more information on ramps or any of the other services we provide at Solid Rock Enterprises, Inc. please give us a call at (540) 384-2064. Happy Independence Day!

One of the most common concerns I hear from people who are trying to stay in their home is that they have trouble raising their knees high enough to get into the tub. This is also one of the most common places where people fall and injure themselves. Falls are the leading cause of injuries to older adults in the U.S. and 60% of injury-related deaths are due to falls. Preventing falls and making bathrooms safer and easier to use for older adults is one of the main reasons I do so much work in bathrooms. Many times I will remove the tub and replace it with a curbless shower. I also do a lot of complete remodels. Today I am going to talk about an alternative that will convert your existing bathtub into a step in shower in less than a day and for a fraction of the cost of more extensive remodeling. I am talking about the Safeway Step®. This innovative product allows the existing tub to remain in place. We cut out and remove a section of the tub wall. We then insert the Safeway Step® in place, creating a two foot by eight inch pass through in the tub wall. This makes stepping into the tub much easier for anyone with arthritic knees or mobility issues. We often install them in conjunction with a seat and grab bars to make showering even safer and easier. For those people who want to continue to take a tub bath, we offer the Safeway Tub Door® which incorporates a door that closes to create a water tight seal so that you can still take a tub bath if you like. Both products can be installed in any standard bathtub. It doesn’t matter whether it is fiberglass, acrylic, steel, or cast iron. The installation takes less than a day and you have your bathroom back quickly. People all over the country are enjoying the safety and convenience of the Safeway Step™ and Safeway Tub Door™. Won’t you join them? Solid Rock Enterprises, Inc. is a Safeway Step Independent Installer and has the experience and expertise to integrate the Safeway Step with any other home modifications you may need. Call today for a no obligation evaluation of your bathroom to determine how we might best serve you in helping you Age in the Place you Love….Home! Just give us a call at (540) 384-2064 or send us an email at   cmoore@solidrockenterprises.com. We look forward to hearing from you.

Most people want to live independently for as long as possible, but family members and other loved ones are often concerned for their safety. It is important to most of us to be able to take care of ourselves and not be a burden to others. The sense of independence and self determination is vital to our well being. The most common barriers to maintaining this independence as we age are an inability to physically or mentally accomplish the activities of daily living. Many times we find people unable to safely get around in their homes or they become forgetful or have signs of dementia. Family members become concerned that their loved one is a danger to themselves and often apply pressure to move out of the home where they have lived for many years. Alternatively, the senior’s struggles to live independently go unnoticed until a traumatic event occurs. The key is to enable the senior to live independently while providing a safety net to notify a care giver or family member of warning signs that there might be a looming hazard. Many older people have a personal emergency response system so that they can push a button and call for help in an emergency, but wouldn’t it be better to be proactive than to wait for an emergency? The SimplyHome System™ is a proactive remote activity monitoring system designed to help people live independently by enabling the patient and the caregiver to prevent problems before they occur. For example, the system can be programmed to turn on the bedroom lights automatically when someone gets out of bed during the night and send out a notification if they are not back in bed within a certain amount of time. It also would keep track of how many times a night they are getting up which might point to pending health concerns. If forgetfulness is a concern, the system could be programmed to automatically dispense medication at the correct times and send out a notification if it is not taken. Another application would be to turn off the stove if it is on and there is no motion in the kitchen for a certain amount of time. There is even a GPS watch available so that a wandering dementia patient could be located immediately. The options are virtually unlimited and the system can be reconfigured as needs change. Some people may have privacy concerns, but with the SimplyHome System™ you have complete control over what data is available to view and who has access to it. With the aging of the baby boomers and people living longer the need for systems to enable people to live independently in their homes will continue to grow exponentially. If you are a senior having trouble living independently or you have a loved one you are concerns about, there are options to remain at home. The cost is much less than assisted living or other living arrangements. The combination of having the elderly person living in the home they love and feel comfortable in and their loved ones having the peace of mind knowing that there is a way to keep informed and send for help if needed is a great comfort to everyone involved. To learn more about Solid Rock Enterprises, Inc. and the SimplyHome System™ which has been featured twice on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and is a finalist in the best new product category for the 2012 Edison Awards call me at (540) 384-2064 or visit my website at www.solidrockenterprises.com. I look forward to helping you or your loved one live independently for many years to come.

In the three years that I have been writing Housing Matters, the beginning of an age wave has reached our shores. The first baby boomer turned 65 on January 1, 2011. The 78 million of us born between 1946 and 1964 will be turning 65 at the rate of 10,000 a day for the next 20 years. This age wave, or “Silver Tsunami” as it has been termed by some, will result in the 65 and older population doubling from 2000 levels by 2030. The chart shows the numbers for the population of Virginia. Our population aged 65 and up will more than double during this same period. This shift in the demographics of our population will change the dynamics of our housing needs dramatically. (Not to mention nearly every other area of our lives!) Seniors in overwhelming numbers indicate that they would prefer to remain in their own homes as they age. However, most of the homes we live in are what have been called “Peter Pan” housing (for people who never grow old). There are too many steps, the doors and hallways are too narrow, the bathrooms are too small and inaccessible to anyone with mobility issues. These are just a few of the common obstacles we face when trying to age in place in our current homes. Clearly something needs to be done! Home modification to increase accessibility and ease of use can make a huge difference in the life of any aging resident struggling to stay in the home they love.  By calling on the services of a licensed contractor who is CAPS certified and has experience in Universal Design home modifications, you or a loved one can age in place safely and comfortably for years to come. The senior remodeling experts at Solid Rock Enterprises, Inc. have been helping seniors remain in their homes in Central and Southwest Virginia for over ten years now. If you or a loved one is struggling to remain in your home, the time has come to pick up the phone and make your life easier by modifying your home. We have the expertise and experience to transform your home from a Peter Pan house into a home for a lifetime. Why suffer in a dangerous, outdated, and inaccessible house when we can transform your home into a warm, inviting, and universally accessible home? If you think you or a loved one would benefit from having your home modified to more easily age in place, do yourself a favor and drop me a note by mail or email or take a moment of your time and give me a call. I would appreciate knowing if you or a loved one have need of our services and if there are specific areas regarding housing and aging in place you would like to know more about. I am looking forward to three more years of writing Housing Matters by which time 11 million MORE Americans will have turned 65! Thank you so much for your help and thanks for reading Housing Matters! You can reach me at: Chris Moore Solid Rock Enterprises, Inc. 428 W Riverside Dr Salem, VA 24153 cmoore@solidrockenterprises.com (540) 384-2064

Since this column is called Housing Matters I usually talk about things that are going on inside the house. This month, since spring is right around the corner, I think I will open the door to the outside and talk about Universal Design outside the home. Many people enjoy spending time outdoors when the weather is nice and the principles of Universal Design apply just as much to these outdoor living spaces as those on the inside. Whether you are thinking of adding a deck, screen porch or patio or you would rather spend time in a vegetable or flower garden, there are some things to keep in mind as you plan your outdoor living space. Just as you would in any home modification, consider easy access to your outdoor living space. Zero step entries are just as important when leaving the house as when entering. If you are building a deck or a patio with a zero step entry (particularly if facing the prevailing wind) it is important to provide for positive drainage at the threshold or better yet, provide a roof over the entry. Screen porches are popular since they allow you to enjoy the outdoors while protecting you from the sun and the insects. Make sure you allow for adequate maneuvering room for someone who uses a wheelchair or a walker. One of the most versatile systems to allow outdoor living is a large opening glass wall system. These systems are like sliding or folding glass doors that open completely out of the way. With a flush track or no floor track at all, they bring the outdoors in when open, but shut out the elements when closed.  If your plans include a grill or other elements of an outdoor kitchen, keep in mind ease of use. Lever handles, different height countertops, as well as knee space underneath can make our outdoor kitchen easier and more enjoyable to use. Contrasting colors on tops and edges of countertops can improve visibility, and bright glare free lighting is essential for any areas you are likely to use after dark. Walks and pathways through your yard and garden should be at least four feet wide, have a hard non slip surface, and have slope of no more than 1” in 20’. If it is not possible to match this slope on your lot, you should consider adding handrails and in any event, keep the slope less than 1” in 12’. Many people love gardening but the idea of getting down on hands and knees to tend to the garden is out of the question. To create plots for growing flowers, vegetables, or herbs that are easily accessible by all, consider building raised beds that are at least 18” – 24” off the ground for easy access. Make the beds no more than 3’ wide with access from all sides. An alternative is a table top height bed with knee space underneath. The beds can be built from stone or block or a rot resistant wood such as pressure treated southern pine or old railroad ties. Make sure to provide adequate drainage and use good quality soil and you will have years of enjoyment from your Universally Designed garden! If you would like more information on how to make your own home (inside or out) a home for a lifetime, please get in touch with us at Solid Rock Enterprises, Inc. To get answers to your questions or suggest a topic for a future column, call us at (540) 384-2064 or email us at cmoore@solidrockenterprises.com.

I use the term permanent housing to refer to a home designed to be useful for the entire lifespan of its occupants. I do not mean to suggest that we are building houses that will last forever. The oldest house still standing that I could find reference to is a stone house at Knap of Howar on the island of Papa Westray in Orkney, Scotland. While the roof, which was probably thatched, has disintegrated, the stone walls are still standing some 5,000 years later. As a builder, I am impressed, but that is not what I mean by permanent housing. I do want to introduce the idea that our houses can and should be places where we can live out the entire course of our lives without undue burden to ourselves or our families. I do hope to see “Peter Pan housing” (That is, housing for people who never grow old) begin to be phased out to make way for what I call permanent housing. Permanent housing would never keep somebody out just because they can’t climb stairs, or reach the upper shelves in the linen closet, or get into or out of a bathtub. The entry would be accessible, the doors would be wide, and the kitchen would be safe and easy to use. The lighting would be bright and glare free and the controls and communications would be operable by people with diverse sensory and functional abilities. For example the door bell would not only sound a chime, but would also flash a light. The lighting, temperature, and other controls would be voice activated, and the lights could be set to come on automatically if you get up during the night. All of these features are available now, and I am working to incorporate them into as many people’s home as I can. Having a house that serves you throughout your lifetime is not the whole picture however. I recently read a blog by Louis Tenenbaum, the author of The MetLife Report on Aging in Place 2.0 which I wrote about in the October 2010 edition of Housing Matters. Louis is the nation’s leading authority on aging in place and is constantly advocating for increasing the ability for all of us to live independently in our own homes as long as we choose to. The gist of Aging in Place 2.0 is that we need to implement a network of services in order to successfully age in place. Anyone who is a caregiver recognizes the daunting number of choices that must be made to keep a loved one safely and comfortably at home. I am excited about some of the new developments on the horizon. The Lynchburg Area Villages launched the first senior village in our region on the first of the year and Louis Tenenbaum is organizing The Aging in Place Initiative to help coordinate and develop the systems and networks to provide support to those aging in place. I expect you will be seeing more about both of these subjects here at Housing Matters.  In conclusion I will continue to espouse the value of permanent housing that we can live in for a lifetime. The benefit not only to our seniors but to all of us is immeasurable. I have long held the belief that we lose the benefits of vast amounts of wisdom and perspective when our senior citizens leave the community at large and gather themselves into communities made up primarily of older folks. If you are interested in learning more about aging in place or are interested in how you could fit into this developing network, please contact me at (540) 384-2064 or cmoore@solidrockenterprises.com.

January begins a new year, and often begins with resolutions and high hopes. However, the shorter days, cold weather, and being cooped up inside can often leave people feeling less than enthusiastic about the month of January. Spending more time indoors might lead us to think about what changes we need to make in our homes and plan ahead to make our homes safer and more accessible. When I was a kid, people often spent a lot of time in January looking at seed catalogs and dreaming about what they would plant in their gardens when warmer weather arrived. Why not take a few minutes and think about the “seeds” of a safer, more comfortable home? Safety Preventing falls and accidents is the number one goal of any home modification. Falls are the leading cause of seniors having to move out of their homes. The first things I look for are tripping hazards. Loose throw rugs, uneven transitions between rooms, trailing extension cords, and excessive clutter can all lead to a fall and a potentially serious injury. Grab bars in convenient locations throughout the house can improve confidence as well as safety. It is particularly important to have adequate grab bars in the bathroom where surfaces can be very slippery! Make sure you have adequate lighting and bright and contrasting colors throughout the home. Access If you cannot get into the house and move freely through it, the safety features won’t do you much good. An accessible route into the house from outside is the first order of business. Depending on the topography of your lot and the layout of the house, this can sometimes be a challenge. If you have a garage, the easiest approach is often to build a ramp into the house from the garage. If your house is too high off the ground to make a ramp practical, there are several types of mechanical lifts that can be used. These can also be used inside to help climb stairs. Many older homes have the only bathrooms on the second floor, which can make life very difficult for someone who can no longer climb stairs. Wider doorways and hallways can make a huge difference as well for someone using a walker or a wheelchair. Communications The ability to communicate with loved ones and have someone come to your aid when you need it are very important aspects of living independently. We offer a system called Simply Home which allows seniors to live independently in their homes when it would be impossible to safely remain home otherwise. It works by sending notifications to a loved one or caregiver when a preprogrammed event occurs. The event can be anything from not taking medication to leaving the stove on, to not getting out of bed in the morning. Each system is customized to the needs of the individual and gives reassurance to the senior and their loved ones alike. These are just a few of the “seeds” that can grow into a life of living independently in your own home throughout the course of your life. For more ideas on aging in place, home modifications, and Universal Design, come see us at the Greater Roanoke Home and Garden Show at the Roanoke Civic Center on January 13-15. We will have a live demonstration of the Simply Home system as well as a lot more information about how you can make your house a home for a lifetime. If you would like more information on any of the ideas in this article or on any aspect of aging in place please give me a call at (540) 556-0650 or email me at cmoore@solidrockenterprises.com.

It is the most wonderful time of the year! That familiar verse from the old Christmas song brings to mind memories of sights and smells from my childhood. I think that Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year. Just like George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life it is a time to reflect and really appreciate the blessings we have received. We get so busy in our day to day lives that it’s easy to forget that we have a Lord and Savior who was born in a manger in Bethlehem so many years ago. Let’s all try to open our eyes and our hearts this Christmas season and think about how blessed we are and what we have to be thankful for. For starters, this great nation of ours was founded on trust in God and individual liberty. Please don’t take these things for granted and do what you can to prevent the erosion of our freedoms. This sense of liberty and individual freedom is one of the main reasons I believe so strongly in aging in place. The generation which began turning 65 this year are the recipients of the freedom that their parents fought and bled and died for in World War II. That liberty and independence is our birthright as Americans and we must continue to fight for it so we don’t lose it. We begin to lose some of that independence when through age or disability; we can no longer get around our homes or come and go as we please. Because this independence is precious to us as Americans, we fight to keep it. It is my honor and privilege to be able to make a difference in people’s lives by helping them remain in their own homes and retain their independence. I appreciate the opportunity to help so many people by modifying their homes to make them safe and comfortable as they age. At this time of year our hearts also turn to family. All of us have loved ones that we have lost, and we miss them even more at this time of year. We long for just a few minutes with those who have gone on ahead of us. Make every effort to spend time with the family members you still have. We have no guarantees in this life, so let’s make the most of every moment we have. If you have loved ones who are struggling to remain in their homes and could use some assistance, consider giving them a gift of Home Modification. Here at Solid Rock Enterprises, Inc. we can improve the safety, comfort, and accessibility of their home and make a difference not just at Christmas but for the rest of their lives. Just get in touch with me to discuss the possibilities. Of course, let’s never forget that Jesus is the reason for the season. In this increasingly politically correct society it has become increasingly prevalent to take the Christ out of Christmas. I for one will stand by Jesus who has done so much for me in my life. At this time of year, if you have an opportunity to reach out to someone with the love of Christ, I encourage you to do so. There are opportunities all around us to make a difference in someone’s life. If we can make a difference in your life or a loved one’s life by modifying your home, please call us at (540) 384-2064 or send us an email at cmoore@solidrockenterprises.com. I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a joyous and prosperous New Year!

In this column I write about all the things we can do to our homes to make them easier and safer to live in. I emphasize the fact that Universal Design benefits everyone in making our homes more user friendly for all of us. I think it’s slowly starting to sink in. I am starting to see references to aging in place and Universal Design in more mainstream publications and websites. I was recently reading an article on the website of Builder magazine which pointed out that the first generation to grow up in the suburbs is now finding their homes no longer fit their needs. The villages movement which helps seniors band together to help meet each others needs is growing by leaps and bounds. More and more architects, builders, and homeowners are seeing the value of creating homes that will serve us throughout the course of our lives. As more and more people realize the value of Universal Design, I thought it would be helpful to reiterate some of the features and benefits of Universal Design. These are areas to keep in mind if you are considering building or remodeling anytime in the near future. No Step Entry  Make sure at least one entry to your home is accessible without any steps. If you are building a new home, the easiest way to accomplish this is to make the garage floor is level with the main floor. If you are building a two story house, create stacked closets with a removable floor to make it easier to add an elevator in the future. Wider Doors and Hallways If at all possible, use 3’ doors and 4’ halls through out the house. If you are remodeling, enlarge doors to 3’ wide wherever you can. If it doesn’t fit the budget, use swing clear hinges to widen existing doorways. For a person using a wheelchair or a walker, a few extra inches can make all the difference in the world. Accessible, Safe Bathrooms The bathroom is the room where the most falls occur, and falls are the leading cause of seniors being forced to move out of their homes. A non slip floor, plenty of grab bars, a curbless shower or walk in tub, and a comfort height commode can go a long way towards making the bathroom safer and easier to use. All Controls Simple to Use and Easy to Access The principles of Universal Design call this simple and intuitive use. Ever notice how the control panels and remote controls of the various gadgets seem to get more and more complicated? Look for appliances, thermostats, and other controls that simple and easy to use. Mount all switches and outlets between 24” and 48” from the floor to make them easy for everyone to reach. Good Lighting Bright, glare free lighting without shadows will make your home safer for everyone, but especially for anyone with diminished vision. Use bright, contrasting colors, particularly at the edges of work surfaces and stairs. Watch the Clutter Make sure walkways are clear and free of tripping hazards. Throw rugs and trailing extension cords are two prime suspects. Preventing falls is probably the best way to keep you or a loved one living at home. While this list is by no means comprehensive, it is a good starting point in creating a home that will work for us throughout our lives. For more information about Aging in Place or Universal Design please give me a call at (540) 384-2064 or visit my website at www.solidrockenterprises.com.

Fall is in the air. The leaves on the trees are changing color, the air is crisp, and most of us are starting to spend more time indoors. The sights and smells of autumn always include cooking or baking in the kitchen. If you enjoy spending time in your kitchen, it is important that you can move about the kitchen, and easily and safely use all of its features. A Universally Designed kitchen will be a delight to use and most of the special features will blend seamlessly into the kitchen and only be noticeable as they make the kitchen easier to use. I am going to expand on some of these features here, but remember, to get the most out of your kitchen; a customized consultation is your best bet. The first thing I recommend looking at is space. Make sure that there is enough room to get around. To have room to negotiate the space in a wheelchair if that ever becomes necessary, it is best to have a five foot radius turning circle and four foot wide corridors between cabinets. In many homes, this is difficult to do without adding on but can sometimes be accomplished by opening up the kitchen into other rooms of the house or reconfiguring the floor plan. In order to accommodate people of different heights as well as those who want or need to use the kitchen in a seated position, I recommend adjustable or varied height countertops. Having open knee space under the sink, cooktop, and open counter areas allows someone in a seated position to use these areas more easily. Appliances need to be easily accessed.  I generally raise the dishwasher 8-12” off the floor, install a wall oven adjacent to a countertop so that dishes can be slid out of the oven onto the countertop, and keep knobs, switches and controls near the front where they can be easily reached. In order to make cabinets easily accessible, I use a variety of rollout shelves in the lower cabinets and pull down shelves in the upper cabinets. There are also systems that mechanically lower the wall cabinets to countertop level at the push of a button! Lazy susans or pullout shelving units in the corner units makes access much simpler. Lighting is an important consideration for safety and ease of use. Most of the time our eyesight diminishes as we grow older, so bright, glare free lighting is very important. Having contrasting colors on the edges of countertops and other surfaces helps those with diminished eyesight work more safely in the kitchen. Installing non slip flooring is important to help prevent falls and installing grab bars in strategic places will go a long way to help promote safety. Just remember that you can retain your independence in your own home and enjoy your kitchen throughout your life. For more information or to see what we can do to transform your kitchen, give us a call at (540) 384-2064.