A recent family reunion to celebrate Grandmas 90th Birthday got me thinking:
How can we make Grandma more comfortable as she remains in her own home?
During our family reunion trip to see Grandma- My grandma said numerous times every day, "I don't ever want to go to a nursing home". Home is where most folks feel comfortable, their lives are filled with daily routines. When the routine is broken, there is a breakdown of spirit and happiness for many. Hearing and seeing my Grandma go through her daily routines and being a member of the National Aging In Place Council organization, I wanted to focus our weekly "Stay at Home" blog on how to keep Grandma (or anyone for that matter) comfortable in their own homes as they age.
Below are some things to pay attention to when helping a loved one or neighbor "Stay at Home" comfortably and safely:
1) Medication management: this is teh number #1 reason that people can not stay in their own home and need to move to assisted living. One solution is to purchase an automatic pill dispenser that is locked until meds are dispensed at set times. A loud alarm and blinking light let's people know it's time for their meds. This item can be purchased for only $69.95 at www.rmmedicalsales.com/pill-reminder.html
2) Food: Upon inspection of Grandma's fridge, there was nothing fresh-in fact many expired items and half eaten food filled her fridge. A daily or bi-wekly care giver visit would go a long way to keeping up healthy eating habits.
3) Care Giver: There are many avenues to find a local care giver. Check with the national Aging in Place for quality organizations at www.naipc.org
4) Laundry: Unclutter all the items that go unused for a year or more! Education or "re education" on how to properly use the washer and dryer may be needed. Services can take out and launder or care givers can assist with laundy in the home.
5) Wandering Wristbands: these items are a must if there are any signs of dementia. They are worn like a regular wrist watch, are surprisingly affordable and can be found at: www.mediband.com/.../2008/01/17/wristbands-for-dementia-patients
6) Communication devices: Cell phones and I Pads etc... are a great way to keep in touch with Grandma or your loved one. Technology is changing rapidly and it's easy to have a face to face chat from long distance.
7) Construction Services: Light remodeling, small ramps, neutral thresholds, non slip flooring, improved plumbing fixtures, door and cabinet hardware, new appliances and much more can be a blessing in keeping Grandma navigating around her home. In Minnesota or Wisconsin, contact Lake Country Builders at www.lakecountrybuilders.com for these and more construction services.
8) Estate planners, lawyers and mortgage specialists: Sooner rather than later is the time to think about these services!
Conclusion: It's been said that most people take more time to plan a vacation than the aging of loved ones or themselves. Take action now to help Grandma stay in her own home safe and comfortably. The average cost of assisted living facilities can be $10,000 per month or more.

CareNextion is a program and interactive online guide to helping aid communication between caregivers. (https://carenextion.org)  Both caregivers as well as those in need can find helpful public forums, resources, education as well as interactive program to aid communication. 

Lake Country Builders is an active member of the NAIPC.

The National Aging in Place Council is a senior support network. We work together to solve your problems. NAIPC was founded on the belief that an overwhelming majority of older Americans want to remain in their homes for as long as possible, but lack awareness of home and community-based services that make independent living possible. The Minneapolis, Minnesota organization is one of fourteen throughout the country.

Most Americans do not make a plan to age in place, although you should start thinking about one before you plan to retire. Creating a plan can prevent unexpected events from turning into crises that compromise one's ability to live independently. Most people spend more time and effort planning a vacation then their aging future!

Just as many of us made a plan to go to college, we should have a plan to age. In planning for college, we knew what school we would attend, approximately what we would spend on books and tuition, where we would live and what we would do for transportation. A plan to age needs to be just as detailed and just as common.

If that is your goal, we urge you to take advantage of our senior support network. Our members are experts in healthcare, financial services, elder law, design and home remodeling. We are dedicated to helping meet the needs of our aging population, and assist you so that you can remain independent in the housing of your choice.

Your Senior Support Network

They call them the Golden Years - and they should be just that. Your work is mostly behind you, your children are grown up and your life should be comfortable. We are here to help you.
 
Aging in Place is your senior support network. We are a collaborative group of professional service providers who are thinking about your future and your happiness.

The NAIPC will assist you to stay in your residence whatever the developments in your lives, to take care of your spouse or partner, to plan your finances, to have an open and cooperative relationship with your grown children and to find solutions for any inconvenience or problem you may confront.
 
Sample of our many and diverse Service Providers:
Daily Money Managers

Elder Law

Emergency Response Services

Financial Planning

Healthcare

Home Accessibility Consultants

In-Home Care

Insurance Services

Interior Design/Home Remodeling: Lake Country Builders

Lifestyle Transition Services

Occupational Therapy

Products

Public/Non-profit Resources

Real Estate Services

Reverse Mortgages/Home Financing

The National Aging in Place Chapter of Minneapolis, Minnesota (NAIPC) is a new group  Lake Country Builders is a member of and participates in. The chapter has grown to over 3 dozen members. The membership has broken into "sub committees". June 11th, Lake Country Builders sub committee is part of an "ageless presentation" on Universal Living and Universal Design with the mission of helping people "Stay at Home" as they age or acquire disabilities. We will focus on the top 10 remodel ideas that help seniors and their care givers in their own homes. If you have aging parents or are concerned about someone else, attend the meeting. Improvements and remodeling for accessible living builds equity in your home and is less costly than a few months in a care facility. In many cases, universal design/"Stay at Home" improvements are funded by insurance companies, government agencies etc... Call Lake Country Builders, the "Stay at Home" experts for a free initial consultation today!

Rethinking our Homes for Aging in Place
   
The desire for independence is natural and ninety-five percent of adults 75 and older want to stay in their homes. The earlier you start to make decisions and incorporate Universal Designs in your home the better. Life happens. As our day to day lives continue to race by we need to take the time to rethink our home so we can
“age in  place”. It’s like saving for retirement, those changes and/or design plans will be in place for when the time comes.

Take a moment to browse online at the many design options available.  Here at
Lake Country Builders, STAY AT HOME, Inc. we are excited to continue forward with our clients in helping them with these changes and introducing new clients to the possibilities.  A little forethought during the “design & planning” stages can be your best investment of both time and money if you want to live happily ever after in your home.

There are many publications out now focused on Universal Design in Interior Design.  STAY AT HOME, Inc. is proud to be listed with the NAIPC ( National Aging in Place Council)  as a Service Provider for Interior Design and Home Remodeling.

Recommended reading on this topic can be found on their website. www.ageinplace.org