New Beginnings, Part Two
It is February, the shortest month of the year. The days are short, and the nights are long. Many of the New Year’s resolutions we made so expectantly lay shattered and broken along the roadside. It is an easy time to get discouraged and feel defeated. The hope and joy of spring’s new life seems a long way off. My goal in this article is to breathe hope and belief in new beginnings into your February. Why should January get all the new beginnings? Every day you get out of bed, you have the opportunity to create a new beginning. No matter what you have been through, you can reshape your experience by your attitude. Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you respond to life’s events. If you are feeling down and discouraged, try counting your blessings. Look around you for things you have to be thankful for and focus on these things rather than those areas that you are discouraged or sad about. Remember that the darkest hour is just before the dawn. In my life, I have much to be thankful for. In my professional life I have the privilege of helping people live safely and comfortably in their own homes throughout the course of their lives. In partnership with occupational therapist Carrie Ferguson, I am launching a new, more comprehensive home safety and accessibility assessment service. This assessment will help people to plan proactively to age in place in the homes they love. More details on this service coming in Housing Matters next month. In my personal life I am thankful for family and friends. I have wonderful children and grandchildren that bring me great joy. After walking through the valley of the shadow of death after losing my wife Barbara to lung cancer in July of 2022, I have had the privilege to marry Michelle who is beautiful inside and out and loves me with all of her heart. Just as spring follows winter, there can be love and new beginnings after loss. I saw a quote that states,” Mostly it is loss that teaches us about the worth of things.” I have found this to be true in my own life. If you or someone you know has been widowed, I would like to extend an invitation to attend our widowed person support group. We meet the second and fourth Mondays at 5:30 pm at Good Samaritan Hospice at 2408 Electric Rd SW Roanoke VA 24018.For more information visit Roanoke Archives – Widowed Village or Roanoke Widowed Persons Meetup Group Events Call me at 540-556-0650 to RSVP or if you have questions. I also will be exhibiting and speaking at the Roanoke Home and Garden Show. The show will be held February 16-18 at the Berglund Center. For more information visit Greater Roanoke — Home and Garden Shows (showtechnology.com) I will be speaking on the subject of “Through the Years – A Contractor’s Journey” on Friday and Saturday at 4:00 pm and Sunday at 2:45. I will be telling stories about some of the memorable projects that I have been privileged to undertake over the course of my nearly 40-year career in construction. Many of you have been reading my column for years and I would love to be able to meet you in person. Admission is free, so come on down! Remember that there is no time like the present to make a new beginning in any area of your life. If you need help in any of the areas mentioned in this article or need help with a home modification or home improvement project, give me a call at 540-556-0650. I would love to help. Here’s to new beginnings!
Are You Lonely this Christmas?
Christmas time is a wonderful time of year. The sights, sounds, smells, and tastes often bring back wonderful memories. The wonder in children’s eyes and gathering with family and friends to celebrate the season can be delightful, joyful, and whimsical. I really love Christmas, and everything involved with it. I believe that it is important to remember that the whole reason we observe Christmas is to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I think we should take time to slow down this Christmas season and appreciate all of the gifts and blessings in our lives. At the same time, I recognize that for many people, it is the very fact that this is a joyous time of year that makes it so difficult. For seniors living alone, loneliness and social isolation can be extra painful this time of year. Seeing others enjoying time with family and friends can be a stark reminder of loved ones that have passed on or simply cannot or will not visit. If you have family members you have not seen in a while, I suggest that Christmas is the perfect time to reach out to them and reestablish the relationship. Life is so short, and the years slip by before you know it. In researching this article, I have found it difficult to come up with a percentage of seniors who live alone. Estimates of those over the age of 65 who live alone range from 28% to 43%. Either way, a significant number of seniors live alone and many of them experience loneliness and social isolation. What I did find was lots of information on the physical and mental health effects of loneliness and social isolation. It turns out that loneliness and social isolation can increase the likelihood of things like stroke, heart attack, and mental health disorders. It can even increase the risk of dementia by 50% and shorten a person’s life expectancy by as much as 15 years! Loneliness and social isolation, especially during the holidays, is a big deal! People all around us are suffering in silence. If you are a senior living alone, I would suggest you reach out to those around you. Invite a friend to come over, get involved at a local senior center, join a church or civic group, or volunteer at a worthy organization. It may seem daunting at first if you are on the shy side, but I believe that you will find it worthwhile. You are likely to feel fulfilled and make lots of new friends. If you know someone who lives alone and needs a friend, take the time to reach out to them this Christmas season. A small gift, a special treat, or just taking the time to visit can make all the difference to a lonely senior. I found several websites where you can send handwritten notes to seniors all over the world. Amazing how a few minutes of your time can brighten someone’s day! Closer to home, Home Instead hosts Be a Santa to a Senior in Roanoke and Lynchburg. There are gift trees at various locations where you can select a bulb with a senior’s name and gift request. These are seniors who would not receive a Christmas gift if it were not for this program. Call Home Instead at 434-385-0321 for more information. Whatever you do, look around you and see if you can brighten someone’s day this Christmas. From all of us at Solid Rock Enterprises, Inc. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Contact Chris to learn more at 540-384-2064 or by email at cmoore@solidrockenterprises.com.
Gardening for All Ages and Abilities
With spring right around the corner, many people are itching to get out of the house and into the garden. Whether you are growing your own food or are growing ornamentals, gardening is good for body and soul. Like so many other activities, gardening can become more difficult if you are struggling with mobility challenges. If you are planning to plant a garden this year, especially if it is your first time, proper planning is very important. First of all, don’t bite off more than you can chew. It is easy in early March to plan a garden that is to big for you to take care of in August. Make sure you grow those plants that do well in our climate and look up companion planting to see which plants grow well with each other. Having wide, firm surface walkways throughout the garden is important for accessibility. These pathways should be at least three feet wide. They should be no steeper than 6-8% grade and level from side to side. They should be hard surface in the sense that a wheelchair or stroller will not sink into the ground. Asphalt and concrete work well but may be cost prohibitive. Compacted crushed stone is a more economical alternative. Brick or pavers also work well if care is taken to create a smooth surface without raised edges. Grass walkways can also be an option if the ground is even and the grass is kept closely cut. A good way to make sure that your garden is accessible to all people regardless of age or ability is to create raised beds. These beds can be up to 24” high and should be no wider than 30” if access is from one side only and up to 48” wide if access is from both sides. They can be built of treated lumber, concrete blocks, retaining wall blocks, and various other materials. You can even create raised beds out of hay or straw bales. Many plants can be planted directly in the bales and as the bales decompose they turn into excellent compost to make your garden richer. Another way to create an accessible planter is to build a planter like a table with knee space underneath. These should be 34”-36” at the top with 27” of knee space underneath. Another way to create accessible gardens is with container gardens. These can be anything from five-gallon buckets, to stacked up tires, to old milk crates, even shoe racks, or empty 2-liter soda bottles cut open and hung sideways from a wall. No matter how much or how little space you have you can find a way to grow a few flowers or vegetables. Not only will you get to harvest your own produce, getting out and getting your hands dirty can be very therapeutic. Spending time in the outdoors and sunshine is good for you, body mind and spirit. If any of this seems like something you would enjoy, I encourage you to be creative and spend some time gardening this year. You just might find a new hobby that pays dividends in better health, a clearer mind and fresh, healthy vegetables. If you need help in any area of making your home or garden safer and more accessible, please give us a call at Solid rock Enterprises, Inc. Our phone number is 540-384-2064. We would be happy to meet with you and discuss ways we can make your home and yard safe, accessible and beautiful for people of all ages and abilities. Thank you for reading Housing Matters!
To Grandmother’s House we Go
When I was a boy, we lived on a farm in Rockbridge County. We had over 200 acres of woods and rolling hills to explore. My grandmother lived right across the road. We always enjoyed walking across the road to visit my grandmother. She always took time to talk with us and ask how we were doing and what we were interested in. Grandmother’s house was quite small. Downstairs there was a living room and a kitchen and upstairs there was a bedroom and a bathroom. We had to be careful how much water we used because her water supply consisted of a cistern that collected the water that ran off the roof when it rained. If we had an extended dry spell, she had to have water delivered in a truck. In her kitchen she had a wringer washing machine that she used to wash her clothes before hanging them on the clothesline to dry. Her cookstove was a combination wood and gas stove. On the left side of the stove was a wood burning firebox. The top of it was cast iron and you lifted the burners to add wood. When there was a fire going in the woodburning side it kept the kitchen warm while it cooked your dinner. The right side had gas burners. I am not certain but I believe that the oven could be heated by either wood or gas. At the time I was much more interested in the delicious meals that came out of the oven than the specifics of its operation. I particularly remember the mincemeat pies that my grandmother used to make. She liked to listen to opera on the radio, which I remember thinking was very strange. In the last few years of her life, she became a baseball fan. She used to listen to the Cincinatti Reds baseball games on the radio. She could only pick up the station after dark, so she usually missed the first few innings of the ball game. She kept meticulous stats, filling in the missed innings later from the Sporting News. A few weeks after she passed away in October of 1989, the Reds swept the World Series. My grandmother was always fascinated by Australia. She had made several trips there after she retired, and her house was full of books and artifacts from Australia. All of this was very interesting to me. Her front porch was partially screened in and on nice days we would sit out on the screened porch and talk. Looking out from the front porch and across the dirt road were woods that ran down to the creek. Lining the road were redbud trees which erupted in color in the springtime. They were always her favorite. My grandmother lived alone for nearly 30 years after my grandfather passed away. She lived a rich and fulfilling life and I was privileged to know her and to benefit from her wisdom and understanding. Thinking back to spending time at my grandmother’s house as a boy, I think about how much simpler life was in many ways. The important things in life have not changed. Taking the time to learn from those who are older and wiser than us is more important than ever. I encourage you to spend time with your loved ones. Remember that safe and accessible homes make it easier to continue to live at home throughout the course of your life. If we can help make your home a safer and more comfortable place to live please give us a call at 540-384-2064.
2020 Vision
January is the start of a New Year. This year we not only begin a new year but a new decade as well. As I reflect on the year that just ended and look forward to the coming year I am thankful for the blessings I have received and I plan to work hard to make 2020 a great year for me, my family, and my business. Since 2020 is not only the year but the term for perfect vision I can’t help but think in terms of what is my vision for the New Year. My vision for the New Year includes spending more time with my family. Children and grandchildren seem to grow up in the twinkling of an eye and before you know it, they turn into adults. Taking time to spend with the people you love is an investment that you will never regret. I plan to spend time reading and studying. I am building a library in my new home and hope to make the time to study the scriptures and finish the books I have started and the ones I have been meaning to read. Developing your mind is an investment in your self and your future. I will continue my five-mile walks that I began in 2019 and add some more physical training to stay in shape. I find that I am not as young as I used to be and must work harder to stay in shape. My business goals include writing and implementing systems for various aspects of my business and doing more teaching and consulting. Having goals helps to keep us focused and helps keep us on track. Yogi Berra once said, “If you don’t know where you are going, you mind end up someplace else.” I am not a fan of resolutions. They tend to be fleeting and short lived. I prefer to set goals, make plans, and work the plans. Will I accomplish everything I set out to do? Certainly not! My wife once told me that my problem was that I make myself a list that ten men couldn’t possibly accomplish and then get upset with myself for not getting it all done. However, by setting the goals and making the list I will get far more done than if I just aimlessly flit from one thing to another. (Which is my natural tendency to do.) So, what are your goals for 2020? Is there something that you have always wanted to do but didn’t think you could? Why not give it a shot? One of my favorite quotes is by Theodore Roosevelt. It goes like this. “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” I couldn’t have said it better myself. Don’t be a cold and timid soul. Have a great 2020!
Perspective
The Christmas season is upon us. I love Christmas. It is a time when we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We think of others and spend time with our family and friends. The sights, the sounds, the smells, and the flavors of Christmas all form a backdrop for that Christmas magic that can bring people together in a way that might seem impossible during the rest of the year. Keep your eyes open! You might just see a Christmas miracle. As I look back over the course of the year, I am thankful for the blessings I have received. I am particularly thankful for two events that have helped me put myself in the shoes of my clients and customers, helping me to do a better job of serving them and meeting their needs. The first thing is that early in 2019 I began to be plagued with arthritis. Starting in January, I had joint pain and inflammation that made it very difficult to carry out my daily activities. I couldn’t sit for more than an hour without stiffening up but standing and walking was painful and difficult. I was in too much pain to get any significant amounts of sleep. I was in need of the very home modifications that I routinely install for others. I am happy to report that through the application of much prayer, daily walking, drinking lots of water, and herbs, I have recovered and am able to carry out my daily activities as before. This experience (I refer to it as my wilderness experience) has taught me several very important life lessons. I learned how much I need the hand of God in my life and I learned how much I need the help of other people. I have always been a very self-sufficient person, preferring to do most things myself rather than asking for help. When you rather suddenly find yourself unable to do the things you are used to doing, it is a very humbling experience. The situation of many of my customers who struggle with health and mobility issues took on a whole new perspective. I have a new empathy for the difficulties that many of them face with tasks that most of us take for granted. The ability to empathize with others and put ourselves into their shoes is a great gift that helps us to serve others better and be a more compassionate and loving person. The second event that happened this year is that we bought a house. After 30 years in the same house we are moving. We are currently scurrying around trying to get moved in before Christmas. Throughout the last several weeks as I have had painters, tile setters, plumbers, electricians, and others working on the house I have often thought, “What is going on at my house right now?” and “Are they being as careful with my house as I would be?’. This is giving me a new perspective on how my customers feel when I am working on their homes. I have always worked hard to protect my clients’ homes and create a memorable remodeling experience, but will work on it even harder in the future. In summary, this year has taught me a new perspective. As we enter 2020 I hope and pray that my vision of how other people feel and compassion for their situations will be 20/20. I hope and pray that each of you will have 20/20 vision in 2020 as well. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Fall Colors
October is one of the most beautiful months in this part of the world. The mountainsides erupt in a blaze of color that is truly breathtaking. Bright and beautiful yellows, reds, and oranges take the place of the tranquil green that dominated the view all summer long. Those of us who have enjoyed this extravaganza all our lives can tend to take it for granted. There are, however, many places where the forests do not put on this annual show. In the American West, for example, the mountains are much taller, majestically reaching much higher, with many of them remaining covered with snow throughout the year. The towering conifer forests are impressive in stature yet remain green throughout the year. No blaze of color for them. The aspen groves that spring up so readily whenever the conifer forests are disturbed have leaves that turn color in the fall. Unlike our trees here in the Blue Ridge Mountains all their leaves turn yellow. Nothing like the multicolored display that our forests here produce. I do believe that the fall colors around here are some of God’s finest handiwork. You may be wondering what any of this has to do with seniors or housing for that matter. It seems to me that if the leaves on the trees can put on such a show as they are nearing the end of their life, we can learn a lesson from them. The idea that at 65 or 70 years of age our productive years are behind us and we should just coast through the rest of our lives is ridiculous. With a lifetime of experience and wisdom behind you, you might be just getting started. Many people have their greatest successes late in life. Laura Ingalls Wilder of “Little House on the Prairie” fame didn’t write her first book until the age of 64. Benjamin Franklin was 70 years old when he signed the Declaration of Independence and 81 years of age when he signed the U.S. Constitution. Grandma Moses started painting at the age of 76. Over the next 25 years she painted every day, producing more than 1,000 paintings. Colonel Sanders started KFC after he turned 65. He traveled around the country trying to convince restaurant owners to use his recipe and pay him a small commission on every piece of chicken sold. Legend has it that he was turned down 1,009 times before the first person said yes. Most people would have given up! But not Colonel Sanders. Oh, and by the way, he sold the company nine years later for $2 million dollars. (Worth approximately $16.2 million dollars in today’s dollars) You are never too old to follow your dream. Whatever you would like to do, get out there and do it. If you have been reading Housing Matters and believe, as I do, that aging in place represents a rapidly growing opportunity and will provide a valuable service to many people over the coming years, you may want to consider becoming a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS). I will be teaching the three-day certification course on October 23-25 at the Roanoke Regional Home Builders Association offices located at 1626 Apperson Drive in Salem. Call 540-389-7135 for more information. Follow your dream relentlessly. Remember, you are never too old to pursue your dream. You never can tell, you might be the next famous author, or artist or fried chicken aficionado. You will never know unless you try. As William Wallace said in Braveheart, “All men die. Not all men truly live.” Be one of those that truly live.
Independence
July brings Independence Day. On July 4 we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence and our birth as a nation. Although many view the Fourth of July as a day off of work, cookouts, and fireworks, it is meant to be a day we celebrate independence. Many people in later life view the idea of independence quite differently than they did when they were younger. The ability to continue to live life on your own terms and do the things you enjoy often becomes something that is held very dear when we think we may lose it. Sometimes we don’t know what we have until it is gone. In the context of the homes and neighborhoods we live in, independence means being able to come and go as we please, engage in the activities we enjoy, and live safely and comfortably in our homes. As we age, progressive diseases or normal aging can restrict our ability to fulfill these functions in our daily lives. This can leave us with feelings of frustration, loneliness, sadness, and loss of self worth. While we cannot control all of the changes that come with aging, by the use of proper planning, we can maintain our independence and quality of life much longer than if we bury our heads in the sand and hope for the best. I recommend that you look at three areas when you begin to plan for a better later life. The three areas are the person, the place, and the support network. We will look at each area individually, but the best solutions are found where the three overlap. The person includes everything you can do to be a stronger, healthier you. If you eat well, take care of yourself, and exercise, you are much less likely to fall and hurt yourself or develop mobility issues. If you take care of your finances you are more likely to have the resources to pay for your needs later in life. The place is your home. Wherever you call home, if you make sure it is safe and accessible before it becomes necessary. Safety and fall prevention are the first priority followed by accessibility. Pay extra attention to your entrances and bathrooms. These are the most common areas for people to struggle with safety and accessibility. If you need a home assessment to discover what changes are needed, please give us a call at 540-384-2064. We would be happy to help. The support network includes family, friends, church and social groups, as well as professional caregivers. In short, anyone who would be able to lend a helping hand if you need it. Many people are hesitant to ask for help because they do not want to be a burden to others. Just remember that we all need help sometimes. We could all use a dose of old fashioned neighborliness. If you don’t have the kind of support network to help you in the areas that you think you might need help, work on getting these resources in place before you need them. If this planning process seems a bit overwhelming or you don’t know where to start, we have a Planning Guide that can help you walk through the process. You can go to my website at https://solidrockenterprises.com/service/aging-in-place/. On the right side of the page, click on download planning guide. The guide will help you take inventory of what you have in place and where you need help. As always, thank you for reading Housing Matters, and call us at 540-384-2064 if you need help making your home safe and accessible.
A Brand New Year
As I write this, it is a few days before Christmas. Everyone is scurrying around getting their last minute preparations done. The children are nearly bursting with excitement and anticipation. Festive lights and sounds are everywhere. By the time you read these words, however, the year 2019 will have begun. The resolutions will have all been made. Many of them will have already been broken. I prefer setting goals to making resolutions. What are your goals for 2019? May I suggest that you consider making an aging in place plan one of your goals for this year? Many people think that aging in place means that you stay where you are throughout the course of your life and make the best of it. Sometimes that is not the best choice. Actually, successful aging in place entails aging in the right place. In other words, we choose where we will live and what services we will utilize. We should make these decisions in advance of needing the features and benefits of an accessible home. We should investigate in home services and know what resources are available and trustworthy long before we have need of any of these services. Having a plan in place in advance makes the entire process smoother and less traumatic. Many people turn a blind eye to their declining mobility and their changing needs. They prefer to remain in denial that they don’t get around as well as they used too, are at increasing risk of falling, have declining vision and hearing, or face a myriad of other issues. Sometimes the prospect of facing these concerns head on seems too frightening. It seems easier, somehow, to wear the rose colored glasses. The problem with this approach is that, too often, it culminates in a fall and a significant, life altering injury. Faced with a crisis, the options are limited and the process is stressful. Decisions made in crisis mode are rarely the best decisions. By planning ahead, you can make decisions about you or your loved one’s aging in place plans. The plan should include where you will live, who will take care of you, and how you will pay for it. I have available a number of resources to help you get started on your aging in place plan. I would recommend that you get a copy of the National Aging in Place Council’s planning guide. Entitled “Act III: Your Plan for Aging in Place”, the guide walks you through a questionnaire on the five core areas of aging in place. These areas are housing, health and wellness, personal finance, transportation, and community and social interaction. After determining where you are, it helps you form a plan to fill the gaps. You can obtain a copy by visiting my website at https://solidrockenterprises.com/service/aging-in-place/ and clicking on “download planning guide”. You can also email me at cmoore@solidrockenterprises.com or call me at 540-384-2064 and I would be happy to send you a copy. For those of you who want to know if your current home will meet your changing needs in the future, I offer a Comprehensive Safety and Accessibility Assessment. By assessing your home and making recommendations for needed home modifications, I can provide a road map to a safer and more accessible home. Call or email me for more details. Finally I will be speaking at the 10th Annual Greater Roanoke Home and Garden Show. Held at the Berglund Center on January 11-13, the show features Wayde King and Brett Raymer of Animal Planet’s Tanked. Visit http://showtechnology.com/event/annual-greater-roanoke-home-garden-show/ for more information. Happy New Year!
The 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 a 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. I would like to thank each and every one of you for reading Housing Matters. I hope that I have made a difference in some of your lives and I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year!
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