Age-in-Place: Crafting Your Safe Haven

Imagine waking up every morning in the comfort of your own home, surrounded by familiar sights and memories. It's no wonder that 77% of US adults aspire to age in place. But here's the reality check: only 10% of existing homes are truly prepared for aging. So, what's the solution when relocation isn't an option and assisted living is financially out of reach?

The key lies in proactive planning. Start by discussing your future needs with loved ones. It's a crucial step in making your home a haven where you can navigate daily life safely and independently.

Let's face it, most of us will require some form of care as we age. That's why home modifications tailored to senior living aren't just about luxury; they're about necessity. By incorporating features that enhance mobility and safety, we can drastically reduce the risk of accidents and pave the way for long-term independence.

So, whether it's installing grab bars or widening doorways, investing in your home's aging readiness is an investment in your future well-being. It's time to turn our houses into homes that grow with us gracefully.

I recently presented this topic to Dementia Friendly America. You”ll be able watch it on my YouTube channel soon. In the meantime, here are the highlights of ways you can make your home a place that is aging-in-place friendly.

• Entrance Modifications: Consider installing ramps for easy access and lever-style handles or keypad/key fob entry for convenience.
• Bathroom Safety: Install walk-in tubs, grab bars, and safety strips to prevent slips and falls. Smart devices like TrueLoo toilets and smart mirrors can also offer health monitoring and early detection.
• Flooring Considerations: Remove throw rugs and consider options like vinyl plank flooring for easier mobility.
• Kitchen Upgrades: Install D-shaped handles, soft-close hinges, and good lighting. Consider appliances with clear displays and functions, such as automated faucets and induction stoves for safety.
• Whole Home Solutions: Explore options like WellBe for health monitoring, Caregiver Smart Solutions for home activity tracking, and Flo by Moen for water leak detection and prevention. Voice-activated lights and smart watering systems can also enhance safety and convenience.

More and more technology is becoming available for aging in place. Many people aren’t tech savvy, don’t own a smart phone, or don’t want to manage their “things” with apps. That’s where a smart home device like Google Home takes over. It’s simple to set up and you can talk to it versus poking apps on your phone.

Dementia: Signs, Symptoms & Stories of Lewy-Body

Stories of those affected by Lewy body dementia shed light on the emotional and practical challenges faced by patients and their caregivers. These narratives emphasize the importance of fostering a supportive environment, raising awareness, and promoting research to better understand and address this specific form of dementia. By sharing these stories, we aim to enhance public understanding and empathy toward individuals living with Lewy body dementia, ultimately contributing to a more compassionate and informed society.

Our guest is Mary Lou Falcone an internationally known classical music publicist/strategist. Combining communication skills with her background as a performer and educator Mary Lou adds another layer: advocate for LBD awareness. Her late husband, the illustrator Nicky Zann, died from LBD in 2020 and was the catalyst for her first book,?I Didn't See It Coming .

Listen to the episode here!

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I have been updating my website to make it more SEO friendly. It’s a tedious pain in the butt, but it seems to be working. My downloads are increasing! This is one of the latest older episodes to have its title and show notes changed, so I thought it would be a good one to share this week.

Enjoy!

Catch-up episode:

Caregiver Strategies for Long-Term Sustainability

Creating sustainable caregiving will be something more of us will have to know as our population ages. Caring for another person, especially a parent, can feel like navigating an unpredictable, wild river.

How do we determine when it's no longer safe for Mom or Dad to live alone? When do we step in to help manage finances and or medications? How do we get our loved ones to stop driving and continue to allow them their independence? These questions demonstrate concern for our parent's safety and can be juxtaposed against our parent's fiercely held desire for independence. In addition to being emotionally charged, the answers have enormous ramifications for us as family caregivers.

Caregivers can find a sustainable path when they are realistic. Know your options, have a plan, and are willing to adjust that plan, and are willing to adjust that plan as many times as needed.

Listen here!

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