An Aging in Place Holiday
21 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
in Aging in Place, Health and wellness, Senior Safety Tags: accessibility, adaptation, aging in place, Holiday preparation, home modifications, safety, seniors
Elsie and John are celebrating the holidays simply this year. Christmas dinner is being simplified and the decorations are going to be minimal. Why? Because things are much harder these days for this senior couple and simplification HAS to happen.
Elsie and John sat down with pen and paper in hand to list what they want to get done and what has to be done. Here is their list:
Must Do:
- Get a flu shot
- Make sure the grandkids and kids only visit if they are healthy
- Make sure our prescriptions are filled so we don’t run out when the drug store is closed
- Keep things simple
- Make sure the heaters are running safely and there isn’t anything around them that could catch fire
- Bring out the sweaters and slippers to layer for warmth
- Call the kids and divvy-up the dinner plans (*plan to provide side dish and a dessert and they can pitch in on main dish and bring something to share)
- Send Christmas cards only to those we regularly hear from and keep extras ready if we receive one from someone we hadn’t sent to
- Clean up only the rooms we will be using
- Don’t worry about the bedroom
- Don’t worry about washing drapes, windows, etc.
- Tell the kids if they are coming to visit they will need to bring an air mattress and sleeping bags or plan on sleeping on the sleeper bed.
- Better yet, check out the hotel nearby with the indoor pool so the grandkids will have something to do
- Tell the kids they are responsible for taking care of their children and feeding them while they are here.
- Purchase gift cards for the kids and grandkids
- Tell them they can shop the sales the day after Christmas and get some great stuff they want
- Bring out only the decorations we love
- Put the ones we don’t like in a pile for the kids to see what they want then we can donate the rest
- Get some of those sprays that smell like pine instead of dealing with a live tree that we have to water, etc.
- Put up the little pre-lit tree and John’s assorted Star Wars, Star Trek and plane ornaments.
Want to do:
- Enjoy the kids and grandkids
- Call our friends and wish them a Happy Holiday
- Stay healthy
- Get through without stressing out over the little things
- No meltdowns over a missing juicer!
- Make my homemade cranberries that just isn’t a holiday without it
- Get the kids to fix a couple things we can’t do anymore
- Remind them we aren’t able to do these things anymore and need their help
So, the plan is in place, the list is made for John and Elsie and their simplified holiday plan.
What are your plans to make the holiday easier for an Aging In Place person?
Happy Holidays to you and yours and may you have peace and joy in the coming year.
Alesha E. Churba (A.E.Churba)
An Aging-In-Place Couple Learn About Toilet Choices
06 Nov 2011 4 Comments
in Aging in Place, Interior Design, Senior Safety Tags: accessibility, aging in place, Bathroom, comfort, toilet
Tilly and Harold were looking at a toilet at the local big box store. “What do you think this means Tilly?” Harold was pointing at a description of a toilet with the description comfort height.”
A nice, young man with a vest came over and answered, “a comfort height (registered trademark of Kohler brands) toilet is one that is just a little bit higher than a regular toilet. An average, residential toilet is between 14” and 16” tall. The height of a “comfort height” seat can be found anywhere between 17” and 19” high. The best seat height is right at 18” but if you found a toilet that you really liked its features, then I would say if it is in that range, you are good to go.”
Harold put his hand to his chin and said, “So, why make the Comfort choice?”
The young man said in a slightly louder than a whisper voice, “because it is much easier getting on and off- not just if you have limited mobility either. It is also easier on the legs while sitting if the seat is in the higher range. Of course, the size of the person using the bathroom should be considered if possible, for instance, if your lovely wife here was 4’10”, the Comfort Height probably would not provide comfort. You would want to consider accessible limitations too.”
“Well young man, that sounds like something we should have,” said Tilly.
“Another good choice is to choose the elongated bowl.”
“Why?” asked Tilly.
“Because it fits the shape of the body more naturally. I kind of think the round bowl is reminiscent of out-houses!” exclaimed the young man. 
“I take it you are considering remodeling?”
“Yes, we are, so things are safer for us,” said Harold.
“There are many choices but I would really suggest those two items be placed on the top of your list of choices. They are safer and more comfortable too,” said the young man. “Do you have any other questions for me?”
“No, you have been so helpful! Thank you so much young man,” said Tilly.
“We will keep looking. Thank you,” said Harold.
“You are very welcome. Have a nice rest of your day,” said the nice young man as he walked toward the back of the store.
An Aging In Place Senior Discovers Lever Style Door Knobs
01 Oct 2011 2 Comments
in Aging in Place, Health and Welfare, Interior Design, Senior Safety Tags: accessibility, adaptation, aging in place, Design, door knob, remodel
Image via Wikipedia
If you have followed along, you will remember Beth, an active, 89-year-old woman lives alone in her one level town-home. She has lived alone for many years and has a good support network of family and friends from church. Beth is John’s cousin and they talk weekly. John has mentioned their search for a home to age in place and Beth has mentioned she has no intention of moving or spending her retirement on a pricey remodel. She likes her town-home and, except for a few inconvenient nuisances, she is pretty content.
Beth has noticed that opening her doors has gotten a little harder lately and she doesn’t have the strength she once had. It sometimes hampers even everyday tasks like opening and closing her front door.
Beth’s door knob looks like the one shown. It is a basic contractor grade round door knob and dead bolt.
She mentioned her struggle to her nephew and she would like to look for some new handles that would be easier to open. They decided on their next outing together, they would visit the big box store and see what was available.
While looking at the many styles and finishes available, a nice clerk came over and asked if she could help them find something. Beth explained how her current door knob is getting harder to open and asked if there was something else that would work better.
The clerk took Beth and her nephew to a display and said, “Try this one and see what you think.”
Beth placed her hand on a lever-style handle and easily pushed it down to open. “This is much easier,” she exclaimed. She had her nephew try it also, “See, isn’t it better?”
The clerk replied, “Isn’t it great? I bought one like this just because it is easier to open when I have my child in my arms or even a bag of groceries. I love it.”
Beth asked if it was hard to install and her nephew piped in and said, “I can change that out for you Beth.”
The clerk said, “You have a variety of choices of lever door knobs, not just this one. There are all kinds from plain to very ornate. They all work the same way.”
Beth felt like a kid in a candy store. There were all kinds of finishes and styles, some with curves and others that were straight. She decided she wanted to change out all of her door knobs to handles. “Why not? I ‘m not getting any younger you know! I’m 89,” she whispered to the sales clerk.
Her nephew got a twinkle in his eye. “So, I’m guessing you want me to change out all of these?”
“Well, if you wouldn’t mind,” she said. “Or I could get my handyman to do it.”
“Oh Beth, I don’t mind, but you do realize this means we are going to have to order Chinese take-out from your favorite spot. All this work is going to make me hungry.”
They decided how many they needed and thanked the sales clerk. The sales clerk smiled and exclaimed, “Chinese food sounds yummy! I might have to do that myself after work.”
Beth looked at each style and, after a long while trying to decide, she made her choices and they made a plan for the installation the next day.
As they sat eating their Chinese food Beth thanked her nephew for installing her new door levers. “I really like the ones we chose. These are easy to take hold of and I don’t have to twist my wrist. Thank you for your help.”
Stay tuned as we continue to follow Beth as she makes her home safer and more comfortable without the major remodel or relocating that some of her friends and relatives are having to do.
Related articles
- How-To: Replace a Doorknob (casasugar.com)
- What Are Some Easy Adaptations in the Kitchen if Aging In Place? (aechurba.wordpress.com)
Information on This Aging in Place Idea
25 Sep 2011 1 Comment
in Aging in Place, Health and Welfare, Interior Design, Senior Safety Tags: a. churba, aging in place, mature seniors, seniors. adaptations
Over the last little while, I have filled you in on Elsie and John, a senior couple who live in their fifty year old home but are choosing to look for a home that they can live safely and comfortably in through their mature senior years.
Recently, while visiting with their friends Tilly and Harold, another mature senior couple, they discussed their search. Harold mentioned he has seen more and more information on this Aging in Place idea.
John explained how Aging in Place is making the news lately because so many homeowners are in the same boat as they are: their home is nice to look at but it just isn’t functional for them as they are becoming more mature seniors. Remodelers, builders and homeowners are beginning to take notice of the need to prepare the homes for ease of living when seniors reach their later years. He further stressed that they were not interested in a home that felt institutional but safety, comfort and low maintenance are required.
John went on to explain some of the areas they were evaluating as they were looking around. The bathroom, kitchen and living areas are their main focal areas.
Tilly piped in and said all they needed to do was add some of those ugly grab bars in the bathrooms and they were good to go. John replied that, “Yes, grab bars on the walls around the toilet in the bathroom are a very good idea, but there is far more to this idea like choosing one of those taller toilets. A raised height toilet is just plain easier to use, right Harold?”
Harold nodded, and John continued, “Did you know there are walk-in showers with low curbs so you can just go in? Wouldn’t it be nice to not have to have Harold help you get over the edge of the bathtub Tilly? There are even recommendations to leave an open space under the sink so that a wheelchair can get in if it became necessary. That would have been really helpful when I had my hip replaced last year. I wouldn’t have had to spend so much time at that awful assisted living facility.”
“Another thing we are adamant about is flooring that is slip resistant. We are partial to the laminates and engineered wood because of the low maintenance and safety. I hate that my daughter comes over to clean the floors since our current floor is so slippery when it is wet. I can still picture Elsie having to help me up when I slipped on a melted ice-cube in the kitchen that time.” Elsie nodded in agreement.
“We also want lighting that is dimmable so we can adjust it. I am so tired of having to sit in the dark because I don’t want to spend all that money on lighting when I am just watching Oprah!” They all laughed and Tilly and Harold got ready to leave.
“I want to talk more about this,” said Harold. “Maybe we can’t move but it sounds like those are some good ideas you have. We will have to talk more, maybe next week when we get together.”
What Are Some Easy Adaptations in the Kitchen if Aging In Place?
17 Sep 2011 1 Comment
in Interior Design and Decorating, interior design Idaho, Senior Safety Tags: adaptations, aging in place, Design, seniors
Beth, an active, 89 year old woman lives alone in her one level townhome. She has lived alone for many years and has a good support network of family and friends from church. Beth is John’s cousin and they talk weekly. John has mentioned their search for a home to age in place and Beth has mentioned she has no intention of moving or spending her retirement on a pricey remodel. She likes her townhome and, except for a few inconvenient nuisances, she is pretty content. Beth wears a monitor around her neck so she can receive help if something happens so this gives her some piece of mind.
Beth is mulling around the need to make her kitchen a little safer and easier to work around in. Beth wants to be on top of this and make good choices so she consulted the website: www.aechurba-design, the NKBA website, and the AARP website. Some of these things she can do and she may have to call on her handyman to do some of the more difficult things.
She read that she should consider how she works and organize the kitchen layout to make it easier for finding the items needed when doing specific tasks. First, she is going to reorganize the kitchen into task-specific areas. She is going to put her coffee pot by the cupboard that has the coffee cups and she will reorganize the adjacent cupboard so she can have her coffee and powdered creamer right there. Since she re-warms her coffee several times a day she is going to have her handyman move the microwave close to this area too. Beth knows she needs to keep the microwave on the countertop or somewhere that she won’t be reaching overhead. Her dear friend Elfreida dropped a hot dish of food and got burned when lifting it down from above the stove. It was horrible.
She moves the garbage can out of her pathway. She looks around to make sure the floor is clear of obstacles.
She decided to get her friend and handyman Caleb to come over so she could discuss the information with him. “Caleb, here is what the article by this A.E. Churba says:”
“Consider varying the work surfaces in the kitchen. Some things are done standing up, like washing dishes (usually) but what if the user is preparing vegetables or something that requires a longer period of time? Could a space be made that the user could sit down and work from a seated position? Kitchen surfaces ideally would have two or three height surfaces to make it easier for different tasks to be done.
Kitchen flooring is an important subject for those who are designing or remodeling for aging in place. Not only is it a matter of safety but additionally it is a matter of comfort. The longer a person lives, their body begins to lose muscle tone, bone mass and inflammation of joints may occur. It is important to choose appropriate flooring to help reduce the discomfort these can produce. Flooring choices that are safer, have lower maintenance requirements and are more comfortable are beneficial to all family members including those choosing to age in place.”
Beth looked at Caleb and he said, “So, what would be a better alternative to placing tile in the kitchen?”
“Depending on the homeowners tastes and style, there are a number of better choices that range from cork flooring to laminates (it says to check out Armstrong floors) to engineered wood and even hard wood (says make sure it does not require stripping and waxing). These floorings have some give or bounce to them that will help alleviate some of the discomfort that standing for prolonged periods on a hard surface causes.
Another thing it says to keep in mind when choosing kitchen flooring is the slip factor. “Ceramic tile can create a potential slip issue. Some tiles become very slippery when there is liquid on the surface. Think about what will happen when there is water on the floor from spillage and cleaning. Look for products that have a bit of a texture to them so there is traction.”
“Caleb, I would like to look at installing some cabinetry features that include storage drawers instead of shelves and maybe some cabinet pullouts.”
“Those are not hard to find Beth, we can find them ready-made to install. There is one company by the name of Rev-a-shelf, I think and I have seen those sorts of things at the big box warehouses,” said Caleb. You should look at those new fangled dishwasher drawers I was telling you about. You wouldn’t have to lean over so much and you could was your dishes more than once a week like you do now.”
“Caleb, that sounds good. I would also like to do some additional things like changing the cabinet handles to pulls shaped like D’s that allow for easy opening. I will need you to do the more extensive cabinetry changes like putting in some easy-glides. I am so glad there were already lazy-Susans installed before I moved in and the upper cabinets were lowered for easier accessibility.”
“Oh, listen to this, “When choosing color, choose a contrast so that aging eyes can make a distinction between the cabinets and floors, etc. When everything is all one color like white, it is more difficult to see. Also consider installing task lighting in work areas. Eyesight is not as clear as the eyes age. Even the inside cabinetry color choices can make it easier to work in the kitchen. Lighter colors make it easier to see what is in the cabinet.
Consider replacing some utensils and cooking implements to make kitchen use easier. Consider replacing pots and pans with those that will prevent heating of the handles, make sure handles are secure and strong enough to move the pots. Flimsy handles can cause the person to drop the pot and get burned. Strength and flexibility are lost with age.”
“I guess I should also get rid of a couple of those old pots I have had forever since the handles are bad. I guess those really aren’t safe to use. There are so many things I can do to make things safer as I continue to live here. I think if we can get these things changed a little at a time, I can remain here for another five years or so! God willing and the creeks don’t rise, right Caleb?”
Making changes to the kitchen slowly and with a plan in place will create a space that is safe, comfortable and low maintenance not only now but for many years to come providing a haven for those aging in place. I welcome your comments or questions. Take care.
Painting, Color, Lighting and Aging in Place
07 Sep 2011 Leave a Comment
in Aging in Place, Health and Welfare, Interior Design, Senior Safety Tags: Aging, Design, seniors, Universal design
Susie and John are in their late 60’s and their children have decided they need to paint the walls in their home. Susie and John would like to go with something light and warm but not too warm. The kids think they should paint something trendy and edgy. They keep seeing dark walls in all the spec homes they tour and think that is what their parents should go with to stay up with the times. What should Susie and John do?
They should go with their gut instincts and stick with lighter colors that are warm but not too yellow. Why is that? Because as we age, our eyes see color differently, we see less clearly and we need more light. The muscles in our eyes become weaker as we age. Beginning in our forties, our eyes begin to change and not necessarily for the better.
The colors become more yellowed as we age. What may seem red to one person could be very different from what the other person is seeing. Don’t assume that because a certain color is “in” it is the best color for your space. Older eyes may see colors that have more of a yellow cast to them. Keep this in mind when choosing any colors. 
Another important thing to remember is the need for more light as we age. The eye requires more light to see things clearly. Choose to spread lighting evenly throughout the room and prevent contrast in area lighting because it is harder for the eye to compensate if there are light and dark areas.
As we age, we tend to run a little colder too so choosing a warm color is a good choice. Visually your eyes will signal to the mind that the space is warmer. Think about the colors of the sun and warmth like yellows, oranges, reds to know what are warm colors. Use these colors sparingly in your choices because too much will be overwhelming. Always take the color samples home and place them in the location where you are thinking of painting that color. What you see in the showroom or paint department will probably not look the same as your home. 
Yellowed colors need not be a detriment in the aging process, after all, your yellow and my yellow may not be the same. Take care and if you have any questions or comments, please contact me.
Alesha is the only Certified Aging in Place Specialist with experience in Residential and Commercial Interior Design in Southeast Idaho. Alesha resides in Pocatello, Idaho. (208)-313-6414. Alesha@aechurba-design.com http://aechurba-design.com.
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