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Home Adaptations for Independent Living
Blog
Product Spotlight: Pocket Door Closers
| Posted on February 24, 2014 at 4:19 PM |
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We have recently completed some accessibility projects for
people in wheelchairs and replaced their hinged bedroom and bathroom doors with
pocket doors. In doing so, we looked for
an easier way to close and open the door than the standard little door pull
usually inserted in a pocket door's edge.
We found a product called Pocket Door EZ-Closer which allows someone to quickly
release the pocket door from its cavity with one bump or push. and prevents the pocket door from slamming into
the pocket frame when the door is being opened. Its' spring loaded action works
as a shock absorber, helping to prevent damage to the pocket door hardware.  We have found the EZ-Closer to be very easy to use and
simple to install. It works with new or
existing doors and door styles, is flush fitting and has been durability tested
on doors weighting up to 170 lbs. It requires no maintenance and has a 5 year
manufacturer’s warranty. There are two models available, both seem to function identically. Steel - steel casing and plunger Molded - glass filled nylon casing and
plunger For more product information, installation requirements and pricing,go to http://www.pcdoors.com  Susan LuxenbergPresident HomeSmart LLC |
Aiding the Caregiver
| Posted on December 25, 2013 at 2:11 PM |
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We talk about adapting or building homes for aging
in place as being critical for safe and independent aging, most often with the focus
on the aging client themselves. Adaptations include replacing tubs (when climbing over a tub wall gets too difficult ) with walk in showers, or
installing comfort height toilets to counteract the difficulties many
people encounter when getting up from a seated position, or adding bars that help
with balance issues. Without question, all of these measures contribute greatly
to safety and independence as we age. It's important to acknowledge that creating a barrier
free environment will also positively impact the types of caregivers we attract and the quality of care we may receive in the future. We recently adapted a home for a client who required
a wheelchair for mobility. Her biggest problems centered around her
bathroom. Between the narrow doorway and overall configuration of the space, she was
unable to get her wheelchair inside the bathroom, relying instead on her caregivers carrying her (or more accurately dragging her) through the bath
in order to use the toilet. She admitted that she had considered renovating her
bath to accommodate her failing health, but as she explained, her caregivers were "wonderful
and willing to compensate and carry her throughout the home when necessary." It came as an unpleasant surprise and rude awakening when one of her aides
dropped her en route from doorway to toilet, prompting our client to call us
for help. Our initial conversations included her main caregiver who
admitted she did not like having to carry our client at all and was worried not only
about the client's safety but her own. She expressed that if we could not provide solutions to the restrictive bathroom configuration, she would need to resign for fear she would ultimately injure her client. So let's acknowledge that if we want to retain
quality caregivers, we need to set up safe, easy to negotiate spaces not only for
ourselves but for them as well. Caregiving is often a difficult, stressful job and the last thing any responsible caregiver wants is to cause harm to
their loved one, or get injured themselves and unable to do their job. And while we're on the topic of caregiving, I recently received an
email from a reader who found himself thrust into the role of family caregiver when his wife was diagnosed with a rare and deadly cancer three months after giving birth to their baby daughter. Happily, his wife ultimately won her
battle and survived the ordeal.
What they went through however proved to be such an extreme learning experience
for them both, that he wanted to share his thoughts about effective caregiving in the hopes it would benefit others. “In the beginning it was an intense whirlwind of
emotion and confusion as I did not fully understand what exactly needed to be
done. I had to quickly learn what was
required of me and go above and go beyond these requirements for my wife. I had to remain strong for my wife, my
daughter, and myself. During my trials, and the trials of the many other
caregivers I met along my journey, many lessons were learned. Here are some of the best tips for being a
caregiver that I have learned from my experiences. USE RESOURCES TO BECOME INFORMED Knowing all the options you have regarding treatment
and all possible outcomes will help you feel more prepared for any decisions
you might have to make. Write any
questions you may have down so that you don’t forget them when you are with the
doctor. Remain organized with your
information and your questions, and don’t be afraid to ask about even the most
minor things. ESTABLISH PRIORITIES Prioritize everything that needs to be done. You
may find yourself overwhelmed with everything, but prioritizing will help you organize and can make the entire experience easier. ASK FOR HELP Consider hiring and/or enlisting the help of others
for those things you don’t absolutely need to be responsible for. Friends
and family are often eager to help, but they really don’t know what would be most helpful.
A
little direction can go a long way.
Asking for and accepting their help can make things considerably easier on you and your
loved one. This alone will go a long way towards lowering your stress levels
and helping you focus on things you need to get done. TAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF When a loved one is ill and everything falls onto
you, taking some time for yourself can make you feel selfish. This is not the case however and can actually
be very beneficial. Taking this time to
unwind can lower your stress levels, and allow you to focus greater attention
to your loved one as well as the many things that need to get done. If you fail to take any time for yourself,
your stress levels will remain high and your ability to do anything will be
greatly reduced. USE TOOLS TO REMAIN ORGANIZED There are many things that can help you remain
organized and focused. Clutter and
disorganization will lead to higher stress levels and an inability to fully
understand what needs to be done and where priorities lie. Keeping a notepad handy to jot down reminders
will help immensely. Keep all important
paperwork and information sorted into folders in one place nearby.
This way you never find yourself frantically looking for that one piece
of paper with the important information you need at the last minute. Susan Luxenberg President HomeSmart LLC |
Project Files: Updating a Bathroom for Accessibility
| Posted on July 15, 2013 at 6:41 PM |
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We’ve recently worked on a number of bathrooms needing
modifications, all for clients with vastly differing physical issues. Regardless of the underlying issues, however, the
remedies are the same – building walk in
showers, replacing low toilets with higher ones, and widening doorways seem to
come along with most bathroom modifications. A recent project involved widening a standard bathroom for scooter accessibility which resulted
in opening one of the bath walls into an adjoining bedroom closet, removing an
old tub so as to build a walk in shower, shifting the location of the toilet,
and removing a standard vanity so as to build a roll under one. Here’s the original layout of this 8’ x 11’ bathroom:   View of the existing bath from the doorway  crowded toilet with little access  Standard bathtub  Narrow doorway To accommodate our client who who wanted to bring her wheelchair or scooter into the bathroom,
we needed to create a wide turnaround area that would allow her to move freely between toilet, shower and vanity. We designed the following layout:  The general scope of work was as follows: · Remove the wall between the bathroom and guest
room closet and close in the closet from the guest bedroom side to gain an additional 3' of width in the bath (new bath size: 11' x 11') ·
Shift the location of the bathroom door and
expand it to 36” ·
Build a curb-less shower , enclosed by two ½
walls topped with glass panels ·
Move tub drain location and replace with trench drains along shower walls ·
Install new tile walls in shower, floor to
ceiling, and behind toilet ·
Install new tile floor throughout bathroom and
into shower ·
Relocate existing electrical to work with new
fixture location ·
Install can lights over vanity and toilet and
fan/heat/light adjacent to shower ·
Remove the existing vanity and replace it with a 36” roll under counter, new sink and faucet ·
Build a 24” linen closet adjacent to the vanity ·
Paint bathroom ·
Install new 36” hinged door for guest room ·
Rebuild guest room closet on alternate wall  Toilet plumbing was relocated to the adjoining wall for direct access from doorway and sufficient room to maneuver.  Shower walls in process; you can see the wood framework in the corner for a floating corner granite shower seat.  Non-skid flooring tiles were installed throughout bathroom and shower.  Shower half-walls being measured for glass splash guards.  Vanity top, sink and faucet installed; open underneath for scooter access  Curb-less shower entry; shower floor sloped to trench drains installed along interior shower walls which keep all water within shower boundaries and off the bathroom floor COMPLETION! After months of frustration at being unable to take a shower or use her bathroom independently, the end result was a happy client whose updated bathroom now functioned to meet her needs.  Susan Luxenberg, Pres. HomeSmart LLC |
The Ongoing Problem of Elder Abuse
| Posted on May 1, 2013 at 3:05 PM |
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The problem of elder abuse is not going away. With millions of cases of elder abuse reported
each year, this has become a very serious issue. Maybe it’s a combination of more seniors
sharing homes with their families and the stresses most people live under
today. Certainly the struggle to care for an elderly adult who is sick or impaired, either
physically or mentally, along with the financial burden of caring for an elderly
individual, can cause stress on a caregiver and increase the
likelihood of abuse. The victim is often
female, over the age of 75, dependent on the abuser, isolated and frequently impaired. The abusers are frequently financially dependent,
isolated, inexperienced, unrealistic and impatient caregivers. And while abusers can be spouses,
children, hired caregivers, or any other adults with whom elderly individuals
have contact, the greatest risk for the victim comes from those
with whom they live. Family dynamics are
a major contributing factor to adult abuse; it is known that in 90% of all reported elder abuse cases, the abuser
is a family member. Researchers have estimated that anywhere from five to
twenty-three percent of all caregivers are physically abusive. What are the indications that someone is not being treated
with proper care? Each state might differ slightly in its definition, but the following comes from Florida’s Department of Elder Affairs: Physical Abuse is the infliction or the threat to inflict physical pain or injury
on an elderly person. This
includes pushing,
striking, slapping, kicking, pinching, restraining, shaking, beating burning,
hitting, shoving or other acts that can cause harm to an individual. Emotional or Psychological Abuse is the infliction of mental stress, pain,
or anguish through non-verbal or verbal actions including verbal
berating, harassment, intimidation, threats of punishment of deprivation,
criticism, demeaning comments, coercive behavior, isolation from family and
friends. Financial Exploitation involves improper use of the victim’s
funds, property or assets, cashing checks without permission, forging
signatures, coercing or deceiving an older person into signing a document, using
an ATM card without permission. Sexual Abuse is non-consensual sexual contact of any kind
including assault or battery, rape, sodomy, coerced nudity or sexually explicit
photographing Neglect is indicated with unexpected or unexplained
deterioration of health, personal care, or
living situation, inadequate food, clothing and/or shelter. We all need to become educated about what elder abuse is and
how it can be prevented. In the event
that you know an elderly individual who is the victim of abuse, there are many
resources from public authorities to legal professionals, you can contact. Bottom line -- if you
believe someone you know is the victim of elder abuse, seek help. You
can call the toll free hotline: 1-800-96-abuse. All calls are confidential. Susan Luxenberg President HomeSmart LLC |
Product Spotlight: Key-less Entry
| Posted on March 17, 2013 at 3:39 PM |
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It's hard keeping up
with all the new gadgets emerging in the home automation market and disappointingly, many turn out to be nothing more than toys. Lockitron, a key-less
entry system that fits over an existing deadbolt lock and allows a door to be
locked or unlocked using a smartphone, looks like a product that’s actually
suitable for the aging in place market. Any
smartphone can use Lockitron through a simple two-button application. You
can use your phone to lock or unlock the door from anywhere in the world and share
the ability to operate the door lock with caregivers, friends or family. Any time a door outfitted with Lockitron is unlocked via phone (or key), the
system will send a message to your phone.
 I particularly like
the fact that Lockitron slips over an existing lock, making it easy to install
and remove. Placing it on the
interior of a door, as opposed to the exterior, keeps it immune from vandalism. Lockitron's
batteries last for up to one year and the system sends a notification when batteries are
running low.
Right now the company is
taking orders for May delivery. You can
read more about this product on the Lockitron website: www.lockitron.comor watch a video interview with one of the founders at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMOM_BznnKo Susan LuxenbergPresident HomeSmart LLC |
A Very Special Event
| Posted on March 9, 2013 at 9:11 AM |
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THE RED CARPET WILL ROLL OUT MARCH 16, IN BOCA RATON, FL., FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES The nation’s Largest Free Event for Kids & Adults with Special Needs Invites America to Attend 5th Annual Day-Long Party in BOCA RATON, FL The nation’s largest, annual, free-event for people with physical and/or intellectual challenges, the Boating & Beach Bash for People with Disabilities, will take place Saturday, March 16, 2013, from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, in Spanish River Park, State Road A1A, Boca Raton, FL. The event encourages families with a child or adult member with disabilities, to spend a long weekend in Florida during the nicest time of year, early spring. “We annually roll out the red carpet to welcome people from all across the United States,” says Bash director Jay Van Vechten. “Florida residents and visitors alike have discovered the Bash is the one national event that celebrates diversity by offering a safe, accessible, atmosphere for all ages, with any type of physical and/or intellectual disability, their caregivers and families. Last year, 4496 guests registered at the gates, while 501 volunteers lined up to assist with hospitality and helping attendees have the best possible time. Five thousand guests are expected this year. Everything for the day is free to all participants. See you there! Susan Luxenberg President HomeSmart LLC |
Design Trends for the Boomer Generation
| Posted on February 11, 2013 at 8:08 PM |
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Baby Boomers are definitely having an impact
on housing trends as they demand more sophisticated options and choices for their housing.
Some are selling off the homes in which they raised their families and
moving to smaller houses near their children, or to locations with milder
climates. Others are planning to stay put and redesign their homes to meet
their changing lifestyles.
Whatever
the choice, stay or move, there are certain design features coming into greater
demand that reflect the preferences of the Boomer population -- and builders are paying attention. First
floor bedrooms and bathrooms. According
to the National Association of Home Builders, more than 40% of new homes have
master suites downstairs, a 15% increase over the past decade. It's the Boomers’ desire to not have to climb up and down stairs that's
driving this trend.
Larger
bathrooms that include dual vanities and curb- less showers. Even this "stay young forever"
generation can't avoid the aches and pains that make a walk in shower such a
joy. These showers have now become
showpieces on their own, outfitted to the hilt with beautiful tiles and stone, multiple shower heads, jet
sprays, even steam.
Flex space. This is an extra room that can easily
adjust to a person's changing lifestyle. So the space might start out as an exercise
room, turn into a home office, then later serve as a guest room or
caregiver's room. Central
control centers. Baby boomers are tech
savvy and they want all the best and newest tech amenities. Control centers for Wi-Fi, security,
lighting, heating along with systems that manage all media sources are often
requested. Media rooms with surround
sound are becoming more common for this group, who now have the time to enjoy
it.
Wider
doorways and hallways tend to make a house look more gracious, are easier to
navigate when moving large pieces of furniture, and have the added benefit of
increased functionality and accessibility should anyone wind up wheelchair
bound in the future.
Bigger
windows and increased lighting. To
accommodate a person's need for increased lighting as they age, builders are
adding larger windows to let on more natural light. At the same time under cabinet lights and
stairway lights have also gained in popularity. Susan Luxenberg President HomeSmart LLC |
Home for the Holidays 2012
| Posted on February 11, 2013 at 4:49 PM |
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Note: I published this blog post last year around Thanksgiving but believe the information is important enough to post again. Statistics remind us that fall prevention is key to independence as we get older, and features in a home that pose no problem when we're at our physical best often become more difficult to negotiate with aging frailties. It’s holiday time which means that you may be either visiting or being visited by your parents. This is a perfect time to assess your parents’ safety and comfort whether in your home or theirs. I recently gave a presentation at a senior complex and spoke about safety concerns that could be found in almost every home. That triggered a lively conversation about the problems these seniors encountered when visiting their kids: no grab bars in the bathroom, slippery shower and tub floors, no place to sit down when showering, steps that were not clearly delineate, stairs without handrails, or poorly lit hallways or staircases. Most of those I spoke with said that they were reluctant to ask their adult kids to make any permanent changes to their own homes or install any special equipment, etc. I have no doubt that if their kids thought about it, they would be happy to provide their aging parents with safer, more comfortable surroundings. And truthfully these modifications would benefit everyone in the home. So here’s a simple list. None of these items are costly and all can be done quickly: 1. Reduce tripping hazards by removing books, shoes, laundry, and toys from stairs; ensure there are clear pathways through all rooms 2. Install handrails on stairs and steps; bright colored tape can be applied at the edge of steps and stairs to delineate floor level changes. 3. Increase the lighting at the top and bottom of the stairs; put bright lights over all porches and walkways 4. Store frequently used items in easy-to-reach places so that using a step stool or chair is not necessary. 5. Small throw rugs are a hazard. Either remove them completely or tape them to the floor with double stick tape. 6. Have night lights or battery operated lights in the bedroom, hallways and bathrooms. 7. Apply non-slip strips or non-slip coatings in bathtubs and showers 8. Install grab bars in showers and tubs, appropriately anchored (no suction ones, please!!) 9. Purchase an inexpensive shower bench or chair which can be taken in and out of the tub or shower as required. After all, an injury from a fall is one the biggest dangers the over-65 population faces and one that often results in a loss of independence. Implementing the safety measures mentioned above can substantially reduce the chance of injury to your parents and allow for a safer, happier holiday season for all. Happy Holidays!  Susan Luxenberg President HomeSmart LLC |
Recent Questions: Bathroom Design for Boomers
| Posted on January 26, 2013 at 2:24 PM |
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Question: My husband and I are planning to completely
remodel our master bathroom. We
recognize that at this point in our lives it might be smart if we incorporated
features that would allow us to comfortably use our bathroom as we age. What do you recommend for those of us baby
boomers looking to upgrade our bathrooms? Answer: You might be
surprised to learn that I’d recommend the same bathroom renovations to a baby
boomer as I’d suggest to a younger family or an older couple. Today’s trend is towards universal design –
that design which allows everyone, regardless of age or physical ability, ease
of use. One benefit of universal design
is that as we get older and our lifestyle changes, we can still comfortably use our
home without need for additional adaptations or equipment. As an added bonus, planning renovations from a
universal design perspective ensures an increase in the resale value of your
home and opens to door to many more potential buyers. So here are universal design elements to consider: Try to create a bathroom large enough to allow for a 5’
circle in front of the plumbing fixtures.
When space is at a premium, do not create a separate room for the toilet
or shower but instead keep the space open. Make sure the bathroom doorway is minimally 32” wide,
preferably 36”. Doors should swing out rather
than in or you could install a pocket door. The doorway threshold should be flush with
the adjacent flooring. All flooring materials must be non-slip. Look for matte finished tiles and natural stone,
instead of glazed tiles or polished stones. Select a comfort height (16 – 18” height vs. 14-15”) toilet
or wall hung toilet which are space saving and can be mounted at an
individualized height. These toilets are becoming more and more popular for people of all ages.  Install a curb-less shower which has no lip or threshold at
the entry. The floor slopes towards the drain and away from the rest of the
bathroom floor. A swing out, frame-less
door or shower rod and curtain also help keep water within the shower area. Build in a shower bench which can be sized as large as
you’d like or purchase a folding shower seat that can be mounted to the
shower wall. Use a handheld shower head mounted on a slide bar. These versatile shower heads are easy to use
when standing or sitting and are an aid when younger children are using the
shower. All come with multiple settings
that allow you to control the flow of water. Install grab bars in the shower and tub. A typical placement is one vertical bar to
be used as a hand hold when entering a shower/tub and one horizontal bar placed
along the long wall. With the advent of
special mounting brackets that allow grab bars to be installed securely into
drywall faced studs, installation is no longer dependent on having special backing
behind the walls. If you find in the
future that for example, you require grab bars in the toilet area, you’ll be
able to have them installed them as needed. Grab bars now come in so many different styles and colors that they no longer have to look institutional. If your local hardware stores carry nothing other than the chunky standard stainless steel bar, check online. You'll be surprised at the range of choices you have. Consider a wall mounted sink or floating vanity that would allow for a mobility device or wheelchair
to easily roll up under. If you want
to maintain a vanity cabinet, you can still use a wall mounted vanity –just set
it at least 9” off the floor to allow for a wheelchair footrest underneath. Choose accessible faucets that do not require a strong grip
to operate. Between single handled or
double handled lever style faucets, sensor, and touch faucets there are many designs
and styles to choose from. Now with these elements in mind, take a look at these bathrooms
to see how universal design was applied in each.       In every one of these bathrooms you'll find features that not only will adapt to your physical needs as you age, but will also be appreciated by people of any age. We've come a long way in understanding how our traditional design approach to bathrooms has not really been suitable for people throughout their lives. Just remember as you make your selections to think through not just your present lifestyle but what might be in the future. Susan Luxenberg President HomeSmart LLC |
Technology Report
| Posted on October 16, 2012 at 9:03 AM |
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Periodically I like to check out the new and/or updated technologies
for aging in place that are being brought to market. Here are a few I found interesting: Microsoft, in an effort to improve its technology for
people challenged by limited motor skills or for those visually or
hearing disabled, has made changes to its new operating system, Windows 8, to
significantly enhance accessibility.
Both Microsoft Magnifier and Microsoft Narrator have been improved with
touch capabilities making them much simpler to use and maneuver. To make these features easier to find,
greater emphasis has been put on the Windows Ease of Access Center which will
be clearly visible on the systems home page.
The Ease of Access Center poses questions that are designed to direct
the user to the features they need to be using.
For example, “Do you have difficulty reading the screen?” will prompt
someone to open the Magnifier function. And
while not there yet, Microsoft’s journey is towards broader accessibility. Eventually users will be able to interact
with their computer or tablet using the method they’re most comfortable with --
keyboard, voice recognition or even gestures –
virtually eliminating any visual, auditory, or dexterity impediments they might
have. Care Technology Systems and
Qualcomm Life have partnered to create is a cloud based system that enables
provider and users to capture data for any wireless medical device and deliver
it in a secure and reliable system. Information can be easily retrieved by
physicians, caregivers, or other critical audiences, for use in healthcare
decisions. The company provides fall
detection monitoring, activity monitoring, and biometric monitoring (pulse oximeter,
glucometer, weight scale, and blood pressure cuff) which is FDA approved and HIPAA
compliant. Read more at www.caretechsys.com Telikin
is committed to helping people who are computer novices connect with family,
friends and the world. Telikin
makes the easy to use, all-in-one, touchscreen computer that integrates features such as video chat with integrated Skype, photo sharing with an
integrated facebook application, email, contacts, weather, news, full web
browser, word processing, built in video help and more in a virus free
system. With the large monitor, intuitive interface, easy menu of popular
features, and extensive customer support, Telikin helps people stay connected
to their families, friends and the world. Find out more at www.telikin.com With an estimated 36 million American facing age-related
hearing loss and the hearing aid market estimated at $6 billion dollars globally,
the race is on to apply current technology -- such as that used in noise
cancellation and miniaturization -- to an inexpensive, user friendly hearing
device. Personal Sound Amplification Products (PSAP) are being marketed as less expensive alternative to a traditional hearing aid. PSAPs are classified as electronics and
not as medical devices by the Food and Drug Administration, consequently they are
not regulated and do not require a prescription. While these personal sound amplifiers may help people hear things that are at low volume or at a distance, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants to ensure that consumers don't mistake them—or use them as substitutes—for approved hearing aids. "Hearing aids and personal sound amplification products (PSAPS) can both improve our ability to hear sound," says Eric Mann, M.D., Ph.D, clinical deputy director of FDA's Division of Ophthalmic, Neurological, And Ear, Nose, and Throat Devices. "They are both wearable, and some of their technology and function is similar." There are a number of companies making PSAPs which range from well under $100 to around $1,000, unlike a typical pair of hearing aids which cost $3000-$4000. Able Planet, a $140 million consumer electronics company, offers a
tiny, in-ear device, called Personal Sound, which has won numerous product
awards. To read more see www.ableplanet.com/products/hearing-health Susan Luxenberg, President HomeSmart LLC |
