Long Term Care Planning

A recent USA Today article states that there is an increase in seniors living over the age of 90. According to author Haya El Nasser “The number of people living to age 90 and beyond has tripled in the past three decades to almost 2 million and is likely to quadruple by 2050”.

Seniors who live longer generally have some sort of disability or need help at some level of living. Sandy Markwood, CEO of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, indicates that the focus needs to be on being able to help these seniors live at home as long as possible as nursing home cost could rise to average $72,000 a year.

Long Term Care at any level, in the home, assisted living or nursing home can add a tremendous cost to seniors and their families....read the entire article by going to the link below

Please go to the following URL for the entire article and previous articles: Either click on the link http://www.planforcare.org or copy and paste the following into your browser: http://www.planforcare.org

Universal Design and Aging-in-Place

A nice concise article.  Good design now reduces the need for future renovations.
http://www.housingzone.com/design/next-gen-universal-design-bathrooms-and-kitchens

Aging is Not a Disease !

There is no denying that our physical abilities are prone to lessen with age.  This is a life process to be approached with accommodation.  Accommodations for lifestyle are made all the time.

What if you were to have a grown child returning home to live after college?  This is not an unusual circumstance in today's economic climate.  Would you consider adding a bathroom or a living suite over the garage, or converting a study to a bedroom and maybe adding a direct entrance?  All possibilities to improve your lifestyle.

Thinking about that is no different from thinking about making changes to make our lives easier and nicer.  Why not have better lighting, cleaner air, reduced background noise, and easier and safer movement through your home?  These things can be accomplished and can elimiante the physical and emotional stress it takes to compensate for a poor and unpleasant environment.

We are staying healthier and more fit to older ages than we did 30 years ago.  Lets help ourselves stay active and enjoy the homes we have created.

Home Free Home

I just returned from visiting my Home Free Home project with Laura Montllor, Exec. Director of Home Free Home.  What a great feeling to help somebody by doing what I like to do.  I encourage other design professionals to go to HomeFreeHome.org and get involved.  They do their best to make it easy to "plug-in" your services and get real results for somebody who needs them.

Universal Design - ADA Standards vs Universal Design

Universal Design - ADA Standards vs Universal Design

Aging-in-Place: It Makes a Village

The village concept is spreading.  Actually, the re-invention of the village.  There's nothing new about neighbors helping neighbors and with the help of the internet neighbors don't even have to be in close proximity.

A short while ago I attended a preliminary meeting to explore the  level of interest in forming a "cluster" of the East Rock Village in Orange.  Responsibility for one's own personal independence as we get older starts with us.  You can join or form a village for any one of wide range of reasons that will enhance your independence - volunteerism, social opportunity, emergency assistance,  education,  . .  and make use of the others as wants and needs arise.

Look for villages near you and learn how you can benefit.

Visit www.EastRockVillage.org

Another use for climbing holds

I'm always looking for ways to make homes more user friendly without using clinical devices.  Indoor climbing gyms are loaded with brightly colored, interestingly shaped handholds.
Consider the interior design possibilities  for kids (and kids at heart).  Some of these holds can be easy to use door pulls.  Your personal needs will suggest any number of locations where something solid  to grab would help.

By the way, there are climbing programs for all ability levels.  Enjoy