More Housing Options for Seniors

Many older people want to stay in their own homes or at least in the same neighborhood. The maintenance and upkeep of a large family home is not always a practical option, physically and financially. But a retirement home sounds so… retired.

So, where are you going to live if you leave the home your children grew up in? There are a few options that you might want to explore if you are adamant about not moving into a structured retirement facility.

Manufactured Mobile Homes are an increasingly attractive choice for older folks. These homes are affordable, energy efficient, spacious and some of the models are designed especially for seniors, utilizing “universal design” features. If zoning ordinances permit, they can be assembled near or on family property, or moved to a senior mobile home community.

Cooperatives are usually found in urban areas. Homes in a cooperative combine the benefits of home ownership with the convenience and efficiency of multi-family housing. This idea appeals to those who want to build equity in their accommodations but don’t want the isolation or responsibility of a larger home.

Condominiums are also an option. This type of ownership offers many advantages to older people. Condos are different from a conventionally owned single-family home or an apartment. While you are holding title to your own living unit, you share ownership of common areas.

Accessory Apartments are worth considering if your house is too large and the utility bills and maintenance are too much for you. An accessory apartment is a second, completely private living unit created in the extra space of a single family home. You may have heard it called a MIL or mother-in-law apartment.

ECHO Housing (Elder Cottage Housing Opportunity) or Granny Flats are also an option. These separate, self-contained units are designed for temporary installation in the side or backyard of an adult child’s home.
Home Matching Programs have been gaining in popularity because of the lack of adequate senior housing. The idea is that you contact a service (often for a fee) that matches people up as roommates. When it works, it is an excellent situation and can enable an older person to stay in his/her own home, while relieving the feelings of isolation and loneliness that many older people experience. A good home-matching service offers counseling to provide help in identifying needs and concerns.

Shared Housing is a similar option. This is what the TV sitcom Golden Girls was all about. It can be economical, provide companionship, and provide a sense of security. It is a peer group situation, but it is not for everyone. If you’ve never lived with others (or have been on your own for many years), you may find it difficult.

Adult Foster Care, or Adult Family Homes, is provided in a private home occupied by an individual or a family who will offer room, meals, housekeeping, and minimal supervision for a month fee. Staff are not permitted to administer medications, however, unless they are nurses.

Retirement Hotels (also called Senior Resident Hotels or Senior Apartments) are hotels intended for people over 62. Some hotels are high-rises and have landscaped gardens while others are drab concrete shoe boxes, but they are usually built in good locations with nearby public transportation. Rent can include meals and maid service, activities programs, assistance with personal grooming, and access to a chore service for a fee.
A Boarding House is when you are basically renting a room, sometimes shared, in someone else’s house, with a manager on the premises.

Senior Apartment Houses are monthly rentals with a variety of options. Some have security systems, activities, and a full complement of services, while others offer lodging only.

A New Direction for Senior Housing

Home builders are currently facing a rapidly emerging demographic that has forced the housing industry to begin shifting away from traditional forms of real estate development into methods that cater specifically to the needs of seniors. According to the United States Census Bureau, 100 million U.S. citizens, or a third of the country’s population, will be 50 years or older by the year 2010. Many of these seniors and retiring Baby Boomers are now starting to transition from larger homes in which they have resided for years into more manageable accommodations. Consequently, real estate developers are currently scrambling to provide housing that meets the need of the Baby Boomer generation.

Home builders are not only adjusting due to the massive size of the senior population on the horizon, but also because of the significant purchasing power of this blossoming demographic. The younger generations that the housing industry has focused its efforts on in recent years have been relatively poor in saving their earnings and liberal with financing their homes. Conversely, seniors generally maintain strict personal finance principals whereby wages are saved and any debt is paid down as quickly as possible. Therefore, while many younger homeowners are using the bulk of their earnings to pay heavily leveraged home mortgages, many Baby Boomers are preparing to utilize their savings and the equity in their current homes to purchase the residences in which they plan to retire.

The housing industry is also embracing a shift away from the traditional assisted-living facilities into communities that offer seniors more independence and freedom. Boomers are frequently relocating into planned-unit developments (PUDs) and gated communities where regular dues are paid to a governing Homeowner’s Association (HOA) that provides for many of the amenities that they require. HOA’s will often maintain a homeowner’s yard, roof, and home exterior, while also providing for utilities, security and common areas that can include pools, clubhouses, golf courses, tennis courts, walking trails and community activities.

Other developments address many seniors’ desire to live near people with similar interests at a comparable stage in life by limiting homeownership to those over a certain age. These retirement communities also often offer a neighborhood grocery store, a pharmacy, restaurants, and more community involvement and activities that can help with the eventual transition to assisted-living facilities. Seniors have become increasingly attracted to communities that offer the convenience, mobility, amenities and freedom to maintain rich and active lifestyles as opposed to the institutional and more sterile environments provided by the more traditional models of senior housing facilities.

In terms of home features, a recent survey conducted by the Internet Home Alliance Research Council revealed that 63% of seniors have home offices in their new homes, while an amazing 70% have broadband internet access at home. The days of studio apartment-style senior living are on the wane as the vast majority of our aging population is looking to the increased square footage offered in homes with at least two bedrooms and full-sized kitchens. These findings clearly evidence the desire of seniors to maintain their connection with the world and further prolong their preferred lifestyles.

It is clear that seniors and Baby Boomers are expecting longer lives and better health and mobility than previous generations. As a result, the housing industry will need to continue to adapt in order to provide these very important segments of the population with housing that will foster the environments and lifestyles these groups require.

Article by Brian S. Icenhower

The Active Adult Community

As more and more Baby Boomers are breaking through the “55-years-and-above” barrier, the lifestyle offered by an active retirement community is becoming attractive for the increasing number of baby Boomers who have broken through the “55-years-and-over” barrier and become senior citizen material.

An active retirement community enables its residents to live as independently as their capabilities allow, while supplying them with every possible amenity. An active retirement community can consist of apartments, town homes or duplexes, or single family residences.

For senior citizens who prefer to spend their time on things other than household tasks, an active retirement community offers a nearly maintenance free way of life. The community management will even remover the efforts involved in arranging social, shopping, sporting, or entertainment activities.

An active retirement community may be located near golf courses, or have its own swimming pools and tennis courts for the enjoyment of its residents. It will organize and provide transportation for day trips to museums, concerts, art galleries, and movies or plays. Every active retirement community will have a clubhouse in which residents can gather to socialize or watch television; but the residents are required to take responsibility for their own health care arrangements. And only rarely will an active retirement community offer laundry services.

Active Retirement Community Regulations

The age restricted active retirement community is required, under regulations established by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, to have a resident population with at least four-fifths, or 80%, of its members above the age of 55. The remaining twenty percent of the facilities residents must be at least nineteen years old.

The other class of communities, the age-targeted retirement community, is also governed by the HUD regulations. An age-targeted retirement community is designed for residents over the age of 55 who have no children or minors in their care. The regulations do not exclude young people and grandchildren from visiting; they are welcome, but cannot become permanent residents.

The leisure, or resort, active retirement community will have a variety of onsite facilities for the use of its residents. This type of active retirement community emphasizes the social aspect of retirement, and will have fitness facilities, swimming pools and spas, tennis or even handball courts, and an active social calendar. Arranging classes in arts and crafts, and have community picnics and outings to local cultural attractions, an active retirement community will often have its own shuttle service to area grocery stores and shopping malls.

The active retirement community is an ideal solution for those who see retirement as the chance to catch up on everything they had no time for during their working years. It will provide them with an attractive, safe environment in which to make new friends, explore new interests, and just relax and enjoy life!

Article by Wade Robins

Retirement Housing Choices

Searching for retirement housing for yourself or a loved is often a personal lifestyle choice and many options exist ranging from resort-style golf course retirement communities with amenities like clubhouses and activity programs to specialized care units for individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease. Fortunately, there are many types of retirement housing to suite every senior lifestyle need  from active adult communities to skilled nursing care and assisted living communities. As seniors age, some elder care needs grow. Many retirement housing offer options in the level of care an individual receives, and create “individual personal care programs” to meet health care and personal care needs. Many retirement communities, such as Continuing Care Retirement Communities, offer a wide range of resident choices to accommodate seniors in the same retirement community as their needs change. This enables them to maintain their social network and participate in preferred activities as long as they are able.

Choosing the type of retirement housing most appropriate for you or your loved one, and knowing what to look for in those facilities can include researching a wide range of options and asking the right questions. The following list of retirement housing options is a good place to start your research.

Active Adult Community

An active adult community is for healthy seniors who would like to move to some sort of retirement housing, but remain active within an environment that encompasses a sense of community. Often members will purchase their homes and pay a homeowners’ association fee to cover maintenance, and resort-like amenities and conveniences such as a clubhouse, pool, and other amenities that are included. When shopping for an active adult community you should look for:

• Security  A quality active adult community will have a 24/7 security crew that will patrol the entire community. Look for a security guard positioned at an entrance gate or other points of entrance into the community.

• Satisfaction of Residents  Talking to the residents who are already living at the active adult community will tell you everything you need to know about the quality of living, staff, security, and will answer any other questions you may have. Interacting with those who live at the community will also tell you a lot about the type of people who live there already and may offer you help in determining whether you will enjoy living there.

• Health Services  Many active adult communities offer health services even though most of the residents are in good health. This benefit provides for an easy transition from independent living to assisted living.

Assisted Living Communities

Assisted living communities are designed for seniors who would like to remain living independently, but need some assistance with daily elder care. Services can be added on as they are needed, and include personal care, medication management, meal preparation, and social activities. When shopping for assisted living communities you should look for:

• Services Available  A quality assisted living community will have a variety of staff who are qualified to take care of personal needs, medication management, and other services as they are needed.

• Social Activities  Many assisted living communities encourage social activities among the residents, and will hold various events throughout each week.

• Licensing  The assisted living community you are considering should meet both local and state licensing requirements.

• Living Accommodations  Make sure that all the accommodations, including the staff, suit you or your loved ones needs. This includes safety, cost, friendliness, and any other requirements you may have.

Nursing Home

Nursing homes are for those that require skilled nursing care. These facilities have qualified staff ready to assist with medical or personal care needs. They are fully equipped elder care facilities with specialized training in various medical conditions and common senior healthcare needs for seniors who require 24 hour nursing care. When shopping for nursing homes you should look for:

• Licensing  The nursing home you choose should be licensed by the state to ensure compliance with state regulations. Review rules and regulations with them when you tour the facility.

• Staff  Talk to the staff and ask for the staff to patient ratio to ensure your loved one will be receiving comprehensive care.

• Cost  Nursing homes costs can vary. Inquire about the services that are covered by Medicaid, supplemental insurance and the anticipated amount of private payment.

• Rehabilitation and other specialized services  Nursing homes typically offer rehabilitation care, including speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy. Inquire about any other specialized services required.

Article by Stephanie Rice

Choosing a Nursing Home

Choosing a nursing home is an important decision, and it is vital to ensure that the facility you select will provide the highest quality of care for your loved one. There are three main steps you can take to find the nursing home that offers the services, environment, and lifestyle options that best suit your loved one’s needs and preferences. Planning ahead, taking the time to analyze your options, and carefully researching several facilities before making a decision will help to ensure that the nursing home you choose will help your loved one maintain health, happiness, and dignity. Review the steps listed below as you begin this critical decision making process.

Step 1: Find nursing home facilities in your area.

• Ask people you trust, like your doctor, family members, friends, neighbors, and clergy if they have had positive experience with a particular nursing home Keep a list of the names of these facilities and look up contact information for each using the phone book or internet.

• Call your Area Agency on Aging (AoA). This telephone number should be listed in your local telephone directory or you can find it online by visiting aoa.gov. The local AoA can provide information about nursing homes in your area. – Call the Medicare Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 for information about nursing homes in your area.

Step 2: Find out how nursing homes compare in quality.

• Nursing homes are certified to make sure they meet certain Federal health and safety requirements. To find out how nursing homes compare in quality in your area, look at www.medicare.gov on the web. Select ” Nursing Home Compare.” You can compare the State inspection reports of the nursing homes in your area and look at other information, like resident characteristics and staffing levels.

• Ask friends and other trusted community members if they are or were satisfied with the quality of care. – Call the local office of consumer affairs for your state. Ask if they have information on the quality of nursing homes. Look in the blue pages of your telephone book for their telephone number.

• Call your state’s health department. Ask if they have information on the quality of nursing homes. This phone number will also be listed in the blue pages of your phone book.

Step 3: Visit the nursing homes you are interested in.

• Before you make a decision, visit the nursing homes you are interested in. This will give you the chance to see the residents, staff, and facility. It also allows you to talk with nursing home staff, the people who live and get care at the nursing home and their family members. Be sure to call the nursing home office and make an appointment to tour the nursing home before you visit. – Ask about the types of services and activities the nursing home provides for residents.

• Ask about the cost and fees for care. Find out if there is an extra charge for any special medical needs your loved one may have.

• Ask to see a copy of the most recent inspection report for the facility. Ask if the deficiencies noted have been corrected.

• Revisit the nursing home a second time, on a different day and at a different time of the day than when you first visited. Staffing can be different at different times of the day, and on weekends.

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Find out if the nursing home is Medicare/Medicaid certified, if there is a waiting list, and what their visiting policies are.

Potential nursing home residents should be involved in the decision-making process if possible. However, cognitive ability, emotional issues, current state of mind, and physical status may limit a senior’s ability be an active part of the nursing home selection process. It is important to be honest, forthright and supportive with your loved one during this time. Don’t forget to keep visiting once your loved one has been admitted in order to ensure that he or she is handling the transition smoothly and that the care is of the quality that you expected.

Article by Liz Ryan 

How to Find Affordable Senior Housing

A few years ago Miranda M. became a widow. After a short time her grandson (her only available relative) persuaded her to move across several states to be closer to him.

He located a nice retirement apartment where meals, housekeeping, and transportation are provided. By using her small Social Security income, and funds left by her loving husband, Miranda was just able to afford her rent and basic living expenses. She didn’t much like taking all her meals in the community dining room, so she continued to fix some of them in her own kitchen.

She reluctantly accepted the help of housekeeping for the heavy cleaning. But, as she said, “I need to keep busy. If I can’t make my own bed and dust around I feel like a useless slug. I intend to keep doing for myself just as long as I can get up out of this chair.” But for one unforeseen disaster, Miranda and I never would have met, and she would have happily lived on in her sunny apartment.

You see, disaster struck because Miranda lived too long. Both she and her grandson had counted on Miranda dying before her 85th birthday. It made perfect sense, they thought, as her family was not generally long-lived. Her sister and brothers had all passed away at relatively young ages, as had her parents. Miranda figured she would be long gone before her money ran out.

There was only enough left to cover two more months in the retirement apartment when Miranda’s grandson called me. What was she to do?

Her monthly income of under $900 wasn’t enough to pay for rent, utilities, food, and her medications in the least expensive apartment he could find. He asked me to find her a place in a Medicaid nursing home.

Well, Miranda certainly wasn’t nursing home material. There was nothing wrong with her mind. She could fix her own meals, and she could keep up her apartment (with a little muscle help). She really had no medical needs, and wouldn’t have qualified for Medicaid and nursing home care even if she had wanted to. Which she certainly didn’t.

Her only real problem was lack of money (and a grandson who wasn’t any better at planning ahead than she was). After talking with her doctor and the manager of her apartment to confirm that she really was capable, I set out to try to find a “Section 202” apartment.

Section 202 housing – named after the section of the federal legislation authorizing it – is rental housing specifically for people over the age of 62 who have incomes under 50 percent of the area median income.

According to HUD, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the average Section 202 resident is a woman in her 70s with an annual income of less than $10,000.

Section 202 residences are built and run by private, non-profit groups who have received loan incentives from HUD. HUD is not involved in day to day operations. Rents are calculated according to income, and rental assistance funds pay whatever balance remains.

Luckily for them, Miranda and her grandson live in a large metropolitan area. There are always more options in a larger town. But somewhere between 20 and 25 percent of Section 202 funds have been set aside for use in non- metropolitan areas, so these apartments aren’t only found in big cities.Hunting for a Section 202 apartment can be labor-intensive. When an apartment becomes available it rarely stays empty long. Often there are lengthy waiting lists. The first piece of business was to telephone every apartment complex on the Section 202 list (see below for the web address to get a list). I verified that they were still participating in the program, and asked whether they had any vacancies.

Frankly, I didn’t expect a “yes” to the vacancy question, but it never hurts to ask. Lo and behold, and miraculously for Miranda, there actually was a vacancy in an older building near downtown. Because it’s not in the pretty suburbs it isn’t as popular as some of the others. For our purposes, it was a palace and a kingdom all in one. Beggars couldn’t be choosers!

If there hadn’t been a vacancy, Miranda and her grandson would have had to visit each apartment complex and place her name on every waiting list. Sometimes the wait can be as long as 2 years or more, so I don’t advocate waiting as long as Miranda did.

Along with her application form, Miranda was required to give the apartment manager proof of her income (a Social Security statement or a pay stub). She was asked about previous landlords who could vouch to her suitability as a tenant. She was asked to provide copies of her pharmacy bills, as those expenses are taken into account when the rent is calculated. This particular apartment manager also wanted a statement from her doctor that she was truly independent.

If she had planned on visiting multiple places, Miranda would have taken along several photocopies of all her information so she could leave it everywhere she applied. This is where having someone to come along is invaluable. The job can be overwhelming and exhausting for an older person.

If she hadn’t found this affordable place, Miranda probably would have had to move in with her grandson (NOT a happy thought for either of them), or find a little private room to rent in someone’s home, or try to find someone looking for a roommate. I was ready to try whatever it took to keep her off the street.

Because time was short Miranda had to take what was available. She has since put her name on the waiting list at two other apartments that are a little nicer and closer to her grandson. The great thing about Section 202 apartments is that you can move whenever and wherever you wish – depending of course on the terms of the lease you have signed.

To locate a directory of Section 202 housing in your state, go to http://www.hud.gov/directory Choose your state in the upper right corner. From that point on you might have to search around a little for “renting,” because the information seems to be in different places on the state pages.

If you want to talk with someone in a HUD office, click on the web address below for a directory of offices: http://www.hud.gov/directory/ascdir3.cfm

If you, or someone you care for, is over 62 and on a limited income, Section 202 housing can be a lifesaver. It’s very important to plan ahead, though, because these apartments are popular.

If you have concerns about finances becoming a problem in the future, start NOW to investigate your options. There’s nothing more frightening than outliving your savings – – ask Miranda.

About The Author
Molly Shomer, LMSW is Head Coach of The Eldercare Team (www.eldercareteam.com).

Creating a Caregiver Environment at Home

America’s population is aging. The U.S. Census Bureau says that in just five short years, 39 million Americans will be over the age of 65; by 2030 that number will swell to 69 million.

When they reach the point where they’re no longer able to care for themselves, some seniors will enter nursing homes or assisted living facilities; but long term care in such places can get very expensive. Monthly fees typically start around $3,000. To keep costs down, more and more seniors are moving in with relatives.

When Mattie Pottersfield’s health started failing, her daughter and son-in-law decided to take her in. Brenda Cook says at first it was hard, particularly because the Nashville home she shares with her husband is small; but now that the home has had a makeover courtesy of Philips Electronics, things get easier every day.

Earlier this year, the company had approached St. Thomas Health Services, a health care system in Tennessee, looking for a family in need of a caregiving suite. The Cooks were chosen as the lucky recipients. “Philips wanted to show current and future in-home caregivers how building a small addition, coupled with current technology, can provide a low-cost solution to the financial strain placed on them,” says home designer Stephen Saint-Onge.

The first thing he did was meet with Mattie Pottersfield’s family and medical providers to get a good sense of her needs, then he went to work on designing the addition. Here are the top ten things he considers most important about designing a caregiver suite:

1) Consider the space your loved ones will be moving into — whether it is a room in your own home, an assisted living situation or other option — and make it inviting, comfortable and right for the person moving into it.

2) Consult with your loved one’s doctor about items that may be necessary in the space — it will vary from case to case. For a caregiver, or anyone who wants a safer home, Philips’ HeartStart Home Defibrillator is an essential piece of safety equipment. The HeartStart is designed to be safe, reliable and easy to use so virtually anyone can use it to help save the life of a person who suffers a sudden cardiac arrest. Keeping your loved one’s medical equipment up-to-date is important in their daily care. Sunrise Medical provides a range of homecare and extended care products that are designed to promote independent and active lifestyles.

3) If your loved one can bring his or her own furniture into the new space, consider what other furnishings are needed from a practical standpoint (i.e., bed, dresser, sofa, chair, etc.). Then, look at it from a “designer’s” view — what will look nice? What will make your guest feel at home? Arhaus furniture is ideal for creating a classic feel in the room with exquisite colors, textures and durability. Be smart about furniture and accessory choices. The basics are needed, but also think about special, sentimental pieces that your guest might bring along. These pieces will serve as connections to the home they once had.

4) Every Caregiving Suite should include activities to make the environment entertaining, since that is where your guest will be spending the majority of his or her day. Consider the Philips’ Ambilight FlatTV; the ambient technology helps make the “at home” movie experience more enjoyable and stylish.

5) If possible, consider creating a bedroom as well as a sitting area in the caregiving space. This way, your loved one can feel as if they have their own independent living –not just a sleeping — area.

6) If you are allowed to put a new color on the walls of your new space, do so. Color has a great impact on people’s moods. For example, yellow can invigorate a space and make it sunny.

7) Doorways can often be tricky parts of a caregiving space. Is a wheelchair needed? If so, can your doorways accommodate a wheelchair’s width and mobility? Also, lever door knobs are easier to handle than your typical round knob doors. Pella Windows and Doors are great for a caregiving room with features such as snap-in between-the-glass blinds for easy cleaning, and a cordless operator gives a streamlined look and is easy to use for those suffering from arthritis.

8) It is important to have natural light and fresh air coming in from outside. Letting the light in through windows will make a big difference. If there aren’t a lot of windows in your space, consider special lighting, such as Philips Natural Light Bulbs. Aurelle LED Candles also are a safe choice for additional accent lighting. Aurelles combine the warm glow and gentle flicker of a candle without the risks and nuisance associated with open flames.

9) If a loved one is coming into your home, think about ways to make mobility around your space easy and safe. Consider your flooring closely. Using hardwood flooring, such as Armstrong, allows medical equipment on wheels to be easily moved around the room. Also, area rugs can make movement across floors risky.

10) Phone lines should be installed for your guest, and cordless phones are ideal. Consider phones with big buttons for easy viewing. Also consider a computer in the space for those loved ones who enjoy emailing and staying in touch with family and friends.

The bottom line is that a caregiving space does not have to be sterile and cold. It can be a haven for your loved one to feel at home, at ease and enjoy being part of the family. It’s a new chapter in the lives of everyone involved, so be smart about the design and technology choices made. Be creative and focus your energy on making the best space possible.

Article courtesy of ARA Content

How to Downsize Your Home While Upsizing Your Amenities

The kids have flown the coop and now the two of you are looking to build a smaller nest. But downsizing doesn’t have to mean downgrading. Today’s mature homebuyers are looking for less square footage, but more comfort, convenience and luxury. After all, life is too short to not love your surroundings. Join the ranks of mature homebuyers nationwide and make your next home your best home with amenities that are great for your golden years.

The Great-er Outdoors

No-mow lawns have sprouted up as a time-, water-, fuel- and money-saving alternative to the traditional lawn. These lawns have been around for over a decade in parks and other public spaces. Now they’re catching on with homeowners — particularly with the growing population of second-homeowners who don’t want to spend their precious getaway weekends mowing the lawn. They’re also becoming popular with mature adults who are simply tired of the rigors and high cost of constant lawn upkeep. No-mow lawns are a mix of several slow-growing fescue grasses that form a dense, tough turf. The grasses develop deep roots, which help them tolerate drought and thrive, even in the shade. No-mow lawns are extremely low maintenance — they need no fertilizer, no watering, and they typically require mowing only once per year.

For homeowners in colder climates who are tired of the hassles and hazards of snow removal, driveway heating systems are an ideal amenity. Radiant driveway heating systems, such as those by Warmzone, Inc. provide heat similar to indoor in-floor heating systems. Heat is delivered with either electric cable (electric systems) or by hot water pumped through plastic tubing (hydronic systems) compacted in the surface. Most driveway heating systems have automatic smart sensors that turn the systems on when it begins to snow, providing great consistency and reliability for snow removal, whether you’re home or not.

Driveway heating systems are not only convenient; these systems are lifesavers, preventing heart attacks, frostbite and back pain commonly associated with snow removal. Driveway heating also greatly reduces injuries due to slips and falls and liability due to such accidents.

Ordinary Extraordinary

Mature adults are finding ways to turn ordinary rooms in their home into extraordinarily indulgent experiences. Shower customization is today’s hottest bathroom trend. Mature homeowners are requesting deluxe bath amenities in new homes, or converting their existing bathrooms into private spa escapes. But keep it safe and install comfortable seating for the shower and include a Home Care by Moen’s handheld shower with a convenient pause function. An extra long hose and hand strap make the shower easy to hold, even for those with limited mobility. Getting into and out of the shower is easier with the new SecureMount grab bar installation system, also from Home Care by Moen. Not only are SecureMount grab bars easy to install thanks to a revolutionary new SecureMount anchor system but they prevent slips and falls in the bathroom. New styles and finishes enhance the room’s décor — looking like decorative pieces, rather than safety devices.

Interior Ingenuity

With many mature adults using their retirement as a time to jet set around the globe, get a second home, or visit children and grandchildren, a convenient, accessible space for luggage is a must. According to CNNMoney.com trend spotter Les Christie, luggage rooms, which store luggage and travel goods between trips, are one of the top home amenity trends for 2007. Luggage rooms save homeowners the hassles of cramming suitcases in closets or using inconvenient attic storage space.

Another popular amenity for the mature adult is the customized exercise room. After the kids move out and retirement sets in, many older adults are using their spare time (and spare rooms) to get in top shape with customized weight training, cardio machines and even indoor lap pools, which provide a rigorous resistance workout without placing stress on joints and muscles. More out-of-the-box indoor exercise options include a personal dance studio, complete with wood flooring, wall-length mirrors and a stellar sound system; an indoor climbing wall with grips and a safe-landing mat; and an indoor golf simulator for times when you can’t get out to the green.

Mature adults still know how to spice up their bedroom with hot amenities, including fireplaces, heated mattress pads and large-capacity warming cabinets, for blankets, robes, towels and clothing. Convenience-based bedroom trends include a laundry room off of the master suite, remote-controlled window treatments and voice controlled lighting and electronics, making your mature boudoir much more magical than even your childhood bedroom.

Regardless of the size of your home, whether you build new or buy used, filling your empty nest with hot amenities will help to make your golden years as good as gold. All items from the Home Care by Moen line of bath safety products are available nationwide at select retailers such as Lowe’s and Menard’s or at select home health and medical suppliers.

Article courtesy of ARAcontent

Making Your Bathroom Safer

“Safety in the bath.” When most people see these four words, they think of two age groups: seniors and children. However, creating a safe bath environment is equally important for every member of your family. In fact, approximately 70 percent of all accidents occurring in the home happen in the bathroom — which equals nearly 200,000 accidents each year. The bathroom can certainly be a dangerous place, but with a few simple tips, it doesn’t have to be. Below, find ways to increase the safety of your bathroom with ease and minimal expense — and without detracting from the beauty of your bath’s décor.

Slips

To fight slick surfaces, place a nonskid bathmat inside the tub or shower stall. This will increase the friction between wet feet and the floor or the inside of the tub or shower. Also put nonskid rugs on tile floors to minimize slips.

Falls

Grab bars should be installed near the tub or shower and next to the toilet for a universally-safe bath. Whether it’s for young children just starting to shower on their own, the elderly, or someone suffering from a sports injury or recovering from surgery, grab bars are items that are easy to install and a huge helping hand. And if you have a senior in your life, this is the best safety device you can install for the elderly — where falling is the leading cause of injury resulting in death among people 65 years and older, according to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.

Worried installing grab bars will make your bathroom look too institutional? Relax — grab bars have come a long way. A new line of ADA-compliant decorative grab bars from Creative Specialties International, a division of Moen, come in a variety of designs and finishes to fit any bath décor and are designed to match the style and look of Moen’s popular faucets and bath accessories.

Kid-proof

If you’ve got youngsters in the house, label all cleaning agents and lock them away. All medicines, even aspirin, should be put out of children’s reach. Make sure hot and cold taps are easily identified and put soft covers on tub taps and spouts. You might also want to consider plugging in a night-light in the bath for safer late-night visits by little ones.

Bathtub

For anyone who has problems getting into and out of the tub (think little kids, seniors, even weekend warriors with a pulled muscle), you may want to install a grip on the side of the tub wall for easy bath tub “hurdling.” One to try is the ADA-compliant Dual Tub Grip from Creative Specialties International’s Home Care line of bath safety items, which features a sturdy, no-wobble design and two different handle heights for grasping — so anyone can easily enter and exit the tub. Designed with textured grab areas shaped flat for better gripping, it clamps easily onto the tub wall for a quick, tool-free installation and removal without using any difficult or twisting motions. It also features nonskid pads to prevent scratches on the tub surface.

Temperature

We all enjoy a hot, steamy shower, but it’s important to ensure that no one using the shower or sink will be scalded. The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages parents to set their household water heater no higher than 120 F. For children’s baths, there are a number of bath thermometers available in the form of bath toys, to help determine when the water is safe for a child to enter.

One thing we all want to avoid is “shower shock” — that quick change in water temperature due to a change in water pressure, brought about by flushing the toilet, turning on a dishwasher, starting a washing machine, or any other immediate household water usage. Many older shower systems do not have the technology to fight shower shock. If your shower valves are old, consider installing a pressure-balancing shower valve, like the Posi-Temp valve from Moen. It has a unique pressure-balancing spool to regulate water delivery and keep shower temperature consistent, comfortable and safe. The water remains a constant temperature (plus or minus 2 degrees) despite demand.

Electricity

One thing is for sure — water and electricity don’t mix. Never install a light switch in or near the shower, and don’t keep appliances plugged in with cords long enough to reach the sink. Another quick and inexpensive safety precaution is to install ground fault circuit interrupters to prevent electrical shock. These outlets cut off electricity if water does get into an appliance. Also ensure that you have childproof covers over all electrical outlets.

Make the bathroom a relaxing haven for everyone — with an emphasis on safety. With a few adjustments and additions, you can ensure your bathroom is designed with everyone’s safety in mind.

Article courtesy of ARA Content

Selling Your Home in a Buyer’s Market

(ARA) – Selling a home can be a daunting task for any homeowner, and in a “buyer’s market” the process can feel overwhelming. While many sellers think that homebuyers have the upper hand, with a little patience and a few helpful tips from GMAC Real Estate, you can successfully sell your home.

The Price Is Right

The number one factor in the sale of your home and one of the most critical elements of the sales process is setting the asking price. While you want to get the most appreciation from the sale of your home, you also want to be realistic when setting your price.

“Sellers need to work with an experienced real estate professional who can help them establish a realistic value and price for their home”, said Lane Barnett, president and CEO of GMAC Real Estate Franchise Operations. “Setting a price that is unrealistic and too high can reduce agent and buyer interest, and can make other competing homes look like a better value.”

On the flip side, it’s critical to not underprice your home when looking to sell. Your real estate agent will research and provide you with data on current market conditions in your area.

Remodel

Remodeling is a great way to increase your home’s value in a more challenging market. Remodeling a kitchen or bathroom generally offers the highest percentage return on your initial investment according to numerous industry surveys. Another rule of thumb is to decorate your home so it appeals to the broadest number of potential buyers. Buyers generally prefer neutral, mainstream designs, so avoid bold colors or patterns or out of date designs that can make it harder to sell. New paint, a nicely mowed lawn and attractive landscaping can go a long way in enhancing your home’s curb appeal.

Identify Potential Problems

Hire a home inspector to help you identify any potential problems before you put your house on the market. Also, make sure your home complies with all local housing codes.

Presentation Is Key

The presentation of your home when you are listing it plays an important role in attracting a buyer. As with choosing an asking price, look at the condition of your home through a buyer’s perspective.

“Sellers need to understand the importance of how their home looks to prospective buyers and really need to put themselves into the shoes of the buying public,” said Barnett. “Potential buyers will examine every nook and cranny of your house as they begin to think about making a purchase.”

Overall Marketing

Your real estate agent will prepare your listing for the multiple listing service as well as create an advertisement for the Internet and any materials that will be made available to those who visit your house. More and more, the first impression of your home that many potential buyers have comes from it being seen by buyers using the Internet. It is important to offer a wide variety of photos of both the inside and outside of your home. 360 degree virtual tours of your home are another popular choice to consider. Also, the description of your house needs to be accurate and complete to grab the attention of the potential homebuyer.

When selling your home, remember that an experienced real estate professional can not only help you sell your home for the highest price, but also in the shortest time. Your agent should serve as your trusted advisor, your skilled negotiator and your marketing coordinator every step of the way. From pricing to closing day, these professionals can make you a pro at selling in a buyer’s market.

Article courtesy of ARAcontent

 

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