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Housing TipsSeniors & Covid

How Tech Habits Evolved During COVID-19

by Carol Marak
written by Carol Marak

I use an app called SnugSafe. It’s a check-in service for people aging alone. Recently, Snug surveyed the members in their community and discovered how tech habits have evolved over the last few months. Here are the top findings, other surprises, and the overall results.

Top Finding about how COVID-19 impacted the technology used by older adults:

  • 48% of respondents have ordered groceries online, and 56% of them are doing it for first time because of quarantine
  • 34.3% of respondents have attended a religious service online
  • Zoom is the most popular video conferencing solution (52%), followed by Facetime (46%), and Facebook messenger (28.2%). Interestingly, Skype (20.4%) was nearly twice as popular as Whatsapp (10.9%). This may be due to the North American nature of the survey.
  • 48% of respondents using an exercise app are doing so because of the quarantine.

 

What’s alarming to me is the amount of isolation that seniors are dealing with during this time. Isolation causes loneliness which can exacerbate depression. Before the pandemic, we would find studies about the negative effects of people staying at home all day and now, we’re encouraged to do so. So what can we do?

Today, the best way to stay connected is to follow the advice of the old AT&T ad that urged us to “Reach Out and Touch Someone!” The ad was meant to encourage people to make long-distance phone calls, which cost real money back then. While our real-life circles have shrunk due to self-isolation, our cyber circles are wide open thanks to FaceTime, Facebook, and other social media platforms.

In today’s world, people have organized happy hours and dinner parties over video conference platforms like Zoom and Skype, which is a fun way to stay in touch. Some older adults may not be able to participate in this cyber-connectivity, though — because of technical unfamiliarity, or hearing or vision problems. To stay close during social distancing, try writing letters or send greeting cards with a short note. It’s hard to distance and avoid close physical connections from those we care about.

I hope this will pass soon but learning about contact tracing that our government wants to deploy, has me a bit worried about the new normal.

Other findings from the Snug survey:

  • 60% of customers with an iPhone owned 4 or more smart devices.
  • Those using a smart speaker, 90.2% had an Alexa-enabled device.
  • Of respondents with a video doorbell, 88% had a Ring doorbell.
  • Facebook is more popular (86%) than the next 2, Instagram & Pinterest, combined.
  • Reddit (9%) and TikTok (5.9%) more popular than Snapchat (5%), though findings may not be statistically significant
  • 58.5% of respondents have played a video game in the past week.

 

The survey methodology352 Snug customers responded to the survey. All responses were anonymous.

Carol Marak, aging advocate, and editor at Seniorcare.com. She’s earned a Certificate in the Fundamentals of Gerontology from UC Davis, School of Gerontology.

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Senior Couple Moving to New House
Housing Tips

Senior Rentals: Benefits To Renting, Drawbacks, and Tips You Should Know

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

The period between 2006 and 2016 saw an 84% rise in tenants in their 60s. Although not every senior rents a property in their golden years, for many, it is becoming increasingly appealing. There are some definite benefits to living in a rental property as a senior, and while some prefer to live in their paid-off homes for the remainder of their lives, living in a rental home provides peace of mind and ease of care that an owned home often cannot compete with.

Better Maintenance

One of the foremost benefits of living in a rental property as a senior is that maintenance and landscaping are often taken care of for you. This isn’t always the case, of course, but many retirement communities and even some standard rentals offer this service. As you age, taking care of home maintenance and exterior landscaping gets more and more difficult, so having this provided is a decided advantage. The only downside is that you often need to pay for this service. Usually, there is a maintenance fee added to the monthly rent associated with the property, or it’s factored into the rent itself. However, as many homeowners also hire landscapers and cleaners, this may not prove to be an additional cost for you.

Security And Stability

Renting has another decided advantage over owning in your senior years, in that it can make life much easier for an elderly person. Many rental properties feature community-style living where your neighbors are not far away. This provides more safety as you age because it’s easy to call for help should you need it. Additionally, if you’re traveling around and visiting children or friends, a property with close neighbors and frequent maintenance is more secure.

Additionally, if you’re not quite sure where you want to settle down for your golden years, renting offers a solution for that, too. A rental property doesn’t need to be permanent, and if you find that the property or the area does not suit you, it’s as simple as letting the lease expire and moving on to someplace else. Leases can have variable terms, so you can stay in one place for as little as one month if you’re still deciding.

Financial Stability

Unfortunately, the financial outlay involved in renting a house is one point against it. If you own your home, you’re likely to have paid for it by the time you retire, with many retired homeowners opting to buy additional properties to let out themselves. Renting a place will mean monthly payments are still drawn from your bank account. Additionally, owning a home gives you security in the form of home equity, where renting does not. However, owning a home is not without risk, either, so depending on market conditions, your choice may be easier.

If you’re a senior with a healthy retirement account, the costs may not be an issue for you. After all, it’s worth the expense to spend those golden years living in an uncomplicated, peaceful, maintenance-free place with a supportive community around you.

By Jackie Edwards

Now working as a writer, Jackie started her career in finance and banking, but after becoming a mom refocused and decided to spend more time with her family. When she’s not writing, she volunteers for a number of local mental health charities and also has a menagerie of pets to look after.
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Cleaning up dangerous fungus from a wet wall after water leak
Housing Tips

Dangerous Effect Mold Can Have on Seniors

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

More than half of American homes have mold problems, and 38% of the population are genetically susceptible to the health issues mold can cause. Seniors tend to be more susceptible to the effects of mold as they often have weaker immune systems, poorer lung function, and take medications for other health problems that can make them vulnerable. Removing mold from their homes and preventing future problems can help to maintain and improve their health.

The general health impacts of mold

The symptoms and severity someone will have when exposed to mold will depend on the type of mold, concentration level, and their overall health, but symptoms generally include nasal and sinus problems, a cough, sore throat, tightness in the chest, and breathing problems. People with asthma and some allergies are likely to notice their symptoms exacerbate. Prolonged exposure to mold can lead to hypersensitivity, pulmonary injury, and even some types of cancer. Seniors are more at risk of health problems from mold exposure as lung function declines with age. The nervous system also changes and nerves that trigger coughing can become less sensitive, meaning they won’t cough out mold spores and other contaminants that enter the airways which can then build up in the body.

Identifying a mold problem

Identifying a mold problem can be relatively easy, especially once it spreads, because it’s usually visible. Once you spot mold, it’s important to look around a senior’s home to see if there’s any more. Areas with high humidity are the most likely to have mold problems, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. As seniors are more susceptible to the effects of mold and also tend to be in poorer health, identifying and removing mold from their homes can significantly improve their health. If they have new symptoms, particularly respiratory ones, remove the mold and see if their condition improves and then speak to their doctor as they may be able to stop or reduce medications that were prescribed, such as inhalers.

Removing and preventing mold

The best way to control mold is by preventing it. Using a dehumidifier in the home, particularly in high-risk areas, and keeping the humidity levels at approximately 50% will keep levels comfortable while making the environment less ideal for mold to grow. Opening windows regularly and having houseplants that improve indoor air quality can also help. Removing mold can vary from a quick, easy job to something to requires professional help, such as if it’s in multiple rooms or keeps returning. Generally, a bleach and water solution will kill mold spores and helps to remove any stains it can leave behind or you can use specific bleach cleaning products. Professionals can help to find and fix the source of the mold but this can require seniors to temporarily move out.

Mold can have detrimental effects on anyone’s health, but elderly people are more susceptible as their health is generally poorer and their body’s are weaker. This is why it’s so important to keep their home mold-free and regularly check for problems.

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Open Fire
Housing Tips

Surprising Cause of Most House Fires

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

Fires resulted in $13 billion in losses in 2017, not including the $10 billion lost due to the Northern California wildfires. Although we’re well aware of how devastating fires can be, most of us don’t realize how easily they could happen to us.

According to an American Red Cross study, two in five adults think they’re more likely to win the lottery than lose their home in a fire. Unfortunately, they’re wrong. While there is a one in a million chance of winning the lottery, the odds of dying from fire or smoke are about one in 1,500.

The risks of a fire and magnitude of potential damages should prompt us to be more prepared and to familiarize ourselves with potential fire hazards. Being unaware and not having the right plans or tools in place can put your safety in jeopardy and may result in preventable injuries and damages.

We surveyed 3,000 people to get a pulse on America’s knowledge of fire safety. Take a look at our findings below to see what we found and why you should think twice about home fire safety.

Key Takeaways:

  • Only 12 percent of Americans know the leading cause of house fires (cooking)
  • Nearly a quarter of Americans don’t have a fire extinguisher in their home
  • 16 percent of Americans leave their kitchen unattended daily

The holidays are a time to be especially cautious since most of us are cooking. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reported that home cooking fires peaked during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Last year alone, State Farm paid over $118 million for almost 2,500 cooking and grease fire claims.

Despite this, Americans aren’t aware of the risks or taking the proper precautions.

88 Percent of Americans Don’t Know the Leading Cause of House Fires

Most Americans incorrectly thought electrical malfunctions were the leading cause of house fires. Although these are dangerous, electrical malfunctions account for only 10 percent of residential fires, according to the NFPA.

The NFPA reported that 49 percent of residential fires were a result of cooking. A November 2018 report from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) found that fires between 2012 and 2016 alone caused 530 civilian deaths, 5,270 reported civilian fire injuries, and $1.1 billion in property damage each year.

If you’re unaware of the high risk of kitchen fires, you won’t know what steps to take to prevent or extinguish them. When it comes to fires, every second counts. A small flame can turn into a major fire in less than 30 seconds.

Preparedness is not only important when keeping you and your loved ones safe, it’s also crucial for preventing expensive damage to your home.

Fire Extinguishers are Missing from Nearly a Quarter of American Homes

Fire extinguishers are one main tool we can use to put out fires. However, our results found that:

  • Nearly one in four (23%) Americans still don’t have a fire extinguisher in their home
  • 15% of Americans aren’t sure if they have a fire extinguisher in their home
 

While simply having one fire extinguisher is the first step to increasing your home’s overall fire safety, it’s important to know how to use it and what types of fires you can put out with your fire extinguisher.

There are several classes of fire extinguishers you can have in your home. Nationwide recommends having one fire extinguisher on each level of your house and near places fires are likely to start, like the kitchen.

Fire Extinguisher Classes

Letter Symbol Uses Examples
A Ordinary combustible materials Cloth, wood, paper, textiles, rubber, trash and plastics
B Flammable liquids Grease, gasoline, oil, oil-based paints, solvents and tar
C Electrical equipment Appliances, tools or other equipment that’s plugged in
D Combustible metals Magnesium, titanium, zirconium, lithium, and potassium
In your home, you’d ideally want an A-B-C extinguisher, since it puts out many common types of fires. Class D extinguishers are typically found in industrial or lab settings.

Fire safety extends beyond having the correct tools and definitely requires putting fire safety prevention tips into practice. Our last finding reveals that a portion of Americans are putting themselves at risk.

16 Percent of Americans Make this Kitchen Fire Safety Mistake Every Day

In our survey, we found that 16 percent of Americans leave their kitchen’s unattended daily. Our chart below breaks down how often Americans make this mistake.

Leaving your kitchen unattended to go grab your laundry can be a risky mistake. In the same November 2018 NFPA report, the researchers found that 32 percent of home cooking fires were a result of unattended equipment.

They also found that a third of people who died from kitchen fires were sleeping. Make sure to double-check that your stove and oven are off. If you can help it, try not to cook when you’re tired to prevent accidentally leaving your kitchen equipment on.

Additional House Fire Safety Hazards

Kitchens are certainly an important part of your home to focus on, but fire safety for the entire home is crucial. During the colder months, it’s especially important to pay attention to your heating equipment since they are the second-highest cause of house fires.

The NFPA reports that local fire departments responded to 52,050 fires involving heating equipment between 2012 and 2016. They also found that:

  • The leading contributing factor of home heating fires (27 percent) were from a failure to clean equipment.
  • The leading contributing factor of ignition home heating fire deaths (54 percent) was heating equipment too close to things that can burn, like clothing and bedding.
  • Most home heating fire deaths (86 percent) involved stationary or portable space heaters
  • Nearly half of home heating fires (48 percent) happened in December, January and February

 

Heating related fires are preventable. In the midst of the cold winter seasons, make sure you:

  • Place heating equipment away from anything flammable
  • Clean and maintain your heating equipment
  • Keep a close eye on space heaters

Taking Your First Steps Towards Home Fire Safety

Home fire safety, especially in the kitchen, is crucial for the upcoming holidays and the rest of the calendar year. Getting informed about potential hazards, taking the right precautions and making a plan can lower your risk of fire hazards while keeping you and your loved ones safe.

A good place to start is by checking all of your appliances and anything else in your home that produces heat. Check if they’re in good working condition and if you see anything potentially wrong or hazardous.

Things like boilers should be the right size to ensure you’re not overpaying for your heating costs or otherwise being inefficiently used. Learn more about boilers to see the qualities of an efficient one and if you’re in the market for a new one.

By FurnaceCompare.com

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Housing Tips

Benefits of Living in an Active Adult Community

by Jagger Esch
written by Jagger Esch

Today’s seniors could discover an active adult community is exactly what they’ve been missing. Offering an ideal environment for retirees seeking a low-maintenance, but still active lifestyle. Many senior communities have resort-like advantages for residents.

As retirement nears closer, many people wonder what benefits come from leaving their pre-retirement home. Exploring an active adult community is a great start.

The number of seniors looking for an adult community across the country is on the rise. This could be the cause for the more recent increase in such communities.

Sometimes a retiree prefers to live in a more comfortable climate or needs to downsize for financial reasons. Other times it’s a matter of wanting to live closer to their loved ones.

Benefit from Living in an Active Adult Community

Neighborhoods specific to a 55 and older community are retirement homes or active adult communities. These neighborhoods aim to accommodate the lifestyle of a retiree.

Today, more individuals are moving into adult communities before retirement. State and federal rules regulate these communities. Each neighborhood has its own rules and regulations. Some require ALL residents be at least 55 or older; however, others may only require 80% of residents to be 55 or older.

Congress initiated an 80% rule to allow younger adults to stay in their home should their 55+ spouse pass. However, children under the age of 18 may not live in an active adult community full-time. Most associations allow 30-60 days each year for minors to visit.

Although, rules and regulations may vary depending on the community guidelines. Additional regulations may include the retiree’s income, financial situation or criminal background.

There are many reasons a person may decide to move into an active adult community.

Older Adults Benefit from a More Active Lifestyle

One of the most beneficial aspects of moving to an adult community is the active lifestyle that comes with it. Many communities have various activities to choose from; all of which are fun and easy enough for everyone.

From fitness centers, recreation rooms, and different exercises to keep you healthy. No matter what pace you need to go, activities accommodate all residents.

Some of these fun lifestyle activities range from cooking, painting, shuffleboard, picnics, barbecues and much more!

A Social Community is Important with Age

The quality of life can change drastically with or without a sense of community, especially as we age. Living in an active adult community can provide residents with that community-like environment.

The goal of creating long-lasting memories and knowing their neighbor is a common benefit among residents. For those that don’t live close to their relatives, this can be a great way to stay social.

Getting older doesn’t have to mean loneliness. Many individuals find great friendships and a sense of belonging within the social community of an active adult organization.

Maintenance-Free Living

We’re not talking about just snow plowing, leaf blowing, and basic lawn services. Maintenance-free means all exterior building services including streets, roofs, driveways, and sidewalks.

Adult community staff generally handles even interior repairs, replaces hard-to-reach lightbulbs and other things. Sometimes, having loved ones living close by makes these tasks less difficult.

However, not all people have the help of their family members. For some, the idea of a maintenance-free life is exactly what they need.

Support Services Available

Living independently is something we all strive for, especially as we get older. Although, many of us will experience illness or accidents that prevent us from living without any help.

Fortunately, communities for 55 and older, have multiple services available for residents. Some places require additional costs for using certain support services.

Typical services such as housekeeping, meal prepping, light errands, and pet care. Personal support services like physical rehab, daily living assistance for those in need, and medication reminders.

Convenient Locations

When looking for an active adult community, location is one of the biggest things to consider. Some individuals prefer walking or taking public transportation over driving. For these adults, the location should be near certain places.

Completing tasks like shopping at the mall or attending church events may be difficult if living in certain areas. Moving to a community near hospitals, churches or shopping malls may be ideal for those unable to drive themselves.

Living near grocery stores, theaters, restaurants, and other community facilities make life convenient. Many adult communities are located close to these venues to provide residents with a better quality of life.

Feel Safe & Secure

Many active adult communities have strict security policies in place, allowing only approved residents and guests on the property. Additional security staff is on-site to ensure the safety of all residents. Perks include well-lit parking lots, common walkways, sidewalks, and streets.

Other safety features include working fire alarms and smoke detectors. Also, emergency maps displayed for evacuation purposes and exit doors clearly visible.

As we age, it can become easier to get confused or lost. Having well-lit and clearly marked can help a senior greatly in emergency situations.

Don’t Wait Until Retirement

Active adult communities are “retirement communities”. However, there’s no need to leave your employer to live here.

Although, restrictions for the residents usually include age and income. A common misconception is that members must be retirees to live in a 55+ park. However, that’s not always true.

Members of the community can travel freely or enjoy an active lifestyle without the responsibilities of owning a home. Living in one of these communities can free up more time for retirement activities or just a more relaxed lifestyle.

Be Happy in an Active Adult Community

The baby boomers are moving into retirement. The right residency may offer an active social life, recreation, and activities, privacy, and security, but most of all relaxation.

Most community designs keep the resident’s needs in mind. Offering a socially, physically and mentally active lifestyle for all within the community.

Also, members may meet new people and make new friends. Doing so is easy while taking part in some of the different activities the community offers.

 

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What Type of Senior Living Facility is Right for You?
Housing Tips

What Type of Senior Living Facility is Right for You?

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

You may be wondering what type of senior living facility is right for you, and you’re certainly not alone! According to Money Task Force, 70 percent of seniors require some type of long-term care services.

Choosing the right senior living facility is a big decision that’s often complicated by the number of options out there. Between home care, nursing homes and independent-living communities, it can be easy to get confused when analyzing each option. To help you make the right decision, we’ve outlined five different types of senior living facilities:

  1. Independent-Living Communities are great for those who are still active. Also known as retirement communities or 55+ communities, residents can choose from a variety of fully-equipped apartments and enjoy organized social events and outings. This option is ideal for those with few medical problems as a nursing staff is not typically on-hand, but this luxurious lifestyle comes at a hefty price – it can cost anywhere between $1,500 and $3,500 per month.
  2. Assisted-Living (or Assisted-Care) Communities seem to be the Goldilocks of the situation as they’re ideal for those who cannot safely age in place but don’t need the round-the-clock medical care provided at nursing homes (see below). Staff is available 24 hours a day to assist residents with completing activities of daily living, and similarly to independent-living communities, frequent social activities are offered. An added benefit is that some assisted-living communities take Medicaid, but depending on how much assistance you require, the cost could range from $2,500 to $4,000 a month.
  3. As mentioned above, Nursing Homes, or Long-Term Care Facilities, have licensed nurses on-hand 24 hours a day to assist those who need extensive medical assistance and care; most residents have complex medical conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease. This type of senior living facility can cost between $4,000 and $8,000 a month, but Medicare and Medicaid is oftentimes accepted as well.
  4. A Residential Care Home is a great option for those who are looking for a more private and homelike care experience. As the name suggests, a residential care home is a private home where residents live together and receive care from live-in caregivers. Residents receive assistance in completing daily living tasks, but be sure to verify which services are offered since services and amenities vary according to each home. This is most likely the cheapest option so far on the list as it typically costs between $1,500 and $3,000 a month (Medicaid may also help pay for this type of care).
  5. Don’t forget about Home Care! This option may be last on our list, but a large majority of seniors would actually prefer to age in place. As its title suggests, home care allows you to receive care right in your own home. In addition to assisting with activities of daily living, in-home caregivers may also provide transportation, medications, meals, and most importantly, companionship. Depending on one’s needs, a caregiver could be available one day a week or 24 hours a day (at a cost of about $20-$40 an hour). It’s also important to note that there are affordable tools to help you age in place. Medical alert devices allow you to receive help even if your caregiver or loved one isn’t nearby, and they are a great way to cut back on the cost of home care if you are unable to afford an in-home caregiver every day of the week.

This list is a great starting point for you and your loved ones to help you determine what type of senior living facility is right for you, but remember that there is no right or wrong answer. Consider which facility will best meet your needs, and you’ll make the right decision!

Meghan Orner
Medical Guardian
https://www.facebook.com/MedicalGuardian
https://twitter.com/MedicalGuardian
https://plus.google.com/+Medicalguardian
APlaceforMom.com

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Housing Tips

How the Prodigy Smart Toilet Increases Bathroom Independence

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

When you think of your bathroom routine, it can be difficult to imagine anything other than the basic steps you’ve been following since childhood. However, as we age and begin to experience mobility issues, the toilet can quickly become a difficult contraption prone to slips and falls. From sitting down to wiping clean, there are many variables that can turn our typical routine into a challenging experience and leave us wondering why our bathroom habits have stayed the same for so long.

Bio Bidet has recently developed a brand-new Smart Toilet designed to enhance your bathroom experience and increase independence every step of the way. Introducing the Prodigy Advanced Smart Toilet. Let’s take a look at the top 5 features that will make a change in your everyday life.

1. Expanded Comfort Seat

By expanding the front edges and increasing the total surface area of the seat, the Prodigy welcomes you to a comfortable trip to the bathroom every time. This exclusive design offers additional support for your legs and body, while the adjustable heated seat keeps you cozy during those cold winter months.

2. Auto Open/Close

Designed for an easy hands-free experience, the Prodigy P770 automatically opens and closes the lid when you enter or exit the bathroom. You can also control the seat and lid with the push of a button.

3. Dual Smart Flush

The Prodigy adjusts to your habits and automatically activates the proper size flush when necessary. No more twists and turns to wrap up your routine!

4. Luxury Bidet Controls

Say goodbye to toilet paper, and say hello to a cleaner, healthier lifestyle. The Prodigy features a stainless steel bidet nozzle that extends when you need it and retracts when you don’t. Personalize your cleaning experience with adjustable temperatures and spray controls, and finish up with the warm air dryer.

5.Wireless Remote

Effortlessly activate features and adjust your settings with the sleek and simple wireless remote control. Use the included bracket to mount your remote to the wall and have easy access to every function.

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How to Help Seniors Organize and Declutter Their Homes
Housing Tips

How to Help Seniors Organize and Declutter Their Homes

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

Organization is a challenge for people of all ages. After decade upon decade of living in their homes, though, seniors often accumulate mass amounts of clutter and sometimes find it nearly impossible to scale back and organize. Three in four seniors want to age in their own homes, according to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), but this sometimes becomes impossible when excess clutter becomes a safety issue. Falls are a leading cause of injury-related deaths among Americans who are over the age of 65, and a disorganized home that is filled to the brim with excess stuff can increase the risk of such accidents.

If there is a senior in your life who needs help with organizing and decluttering, you may be unsure of where to start. After all, asking someone to simply throw away a lifetime worth of treasured memories and prized possessions is both unfair and impossible. The good news, though, is that there are plenty of less drastic measures that can be taken to help seniors organize and declutter their homes. Keep reading to learn more.

Tackle the Living Room First

For many seniors, the living room is where they spend the vast majority of their time. This room is where they watch television, read, work on crafts or other hobbies, or socialize with friends and loved ones. If their mobility begins to decline, this room may be transformed into their bedroom, too.

Since most seniors spend so much time in the living room, it’s only natural that this room tends to become cluttered. Knickknacks overwhelm shelves, tabletops are littered with papers and mail, and excess furniture occupies every square inch of the space. Sound familiar? A cluttered living room is difficult to navigate—especially for someone who uses a walker or wheelchair—and is often nonfunctional. Starting with the living room ensures that the space one uses most frequently is safe and functional even as you work on clearing out other rooms in the home.

Consider What to Do with Excess Furniture

Your grandmother may have needed a sofa, loveseat, and several chairs when numerous kids lived at home. Now that she is on her own, though, she probably doesn’t need to have nearly as many sitting areas. Consider relocating furniture to different rooms or parting with unused pieces altogether. Folding chairs can be stored and taken out when visitors show up.

Help your loved ones determine which furniture pieces they absolutely need. Ask them to think about which pieces they use most and which ones mean the most to them. They’ll likely be able to identify several pieces that they are willing to part with or move to another part of the home.

Install Storage Solutions

Shelves and curio cabinets provide a safe place for storing knickknacks, souvenirs, and photos. You can also create storage space by swapping out something like a plain coffee table for one with built-in storage. You can also replace a regular ottoman with a storage ottoman or bench. There are all sorts of products out there that are designed to double as both functional furniture and extra storage space. Investing in a few could create room to store some of the excess “stuff” that is currently cluttering up space.

Take Care of Cables

Having cables lying around creates a serious tripping hazard. Whether it’s the cord for the television, wires for a computer, or any other type of cables, having them run throughout the home—especially on the floor—is dangerous. Using cabling solutions clears up some of the clutter and makes the home safer.

Create a System for Dealing with Mail

Unsorted mail is one of the leading causes of clutter in many homes. When you receive several bills, catalogs, and pieces of junk mail throughout the week, it doesn’t take long for all of that paper to start piling up.

Help your loved one create a system for dealing with mail as soon as it comes in. Consider setting up “In” and “Out” bins for incoming mail that needs to be sorted and outgoing mail that needs to be sent. Help them determine where to place bills that need to be paid, important paperwork that needs to be filed, etc. And, of course, encourage them to put the junk mail in the recycling bin or trash as soon as it arrives, to keep it from accumulating.

Clean Out Medicine Cabinets Regularly

A medicine cabinet that is loaded with expired and no-longer-needed medications puts seniors at risk. This is especially true for seniors who have cognitive or memory problems. Help keep them safe by cleaning out these cabinets frequently. Ensure that all old and unneeded medications are disposed of properly, and keep current meds in their original containers. Make sure that all necessary medications and frequently used products are neatly organized and within easy reach.

Conclusion

When it comes to helping seniors organize and declutter, their safety should always be the primary concern. Clutter poses a serious tripping hazard, and it can make it difficult for people with mobility issues to navigate their homes. Decluttering can be difficult, but, by starting with items that don’t hold a lot of sentimental value, you can help them downsize and clear out the excess.

Helping them organize is important, too, as it ensures that they know where everything is when they need it. From keeping daily medications close at hand to coming up with a system for dealing with the mail, taking small steps to improve organization can make a big impact in an elderly person’s life.

With patience and understanding, you can make it easier for someone to remain in their own home as they age. Follow the tips listed above. Listen to what the person you are helping has to say. You may find that they have some really great ideas!

By Halle Summers

Halle Summers is a Marketing Coordinator for FASTENation Inc., a premier global manufacturer, technical converter, distributor, and designer of adhesive based fasteners and tapes. Halle enjoys sharing her unique perspective and knowledge through her blog writing. When she isn’t writing articles, she enjoys spending time in downtown Charleston, South Carolina and all the amazing food her hometown has to offer.

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Housing Tips

The Tiny House Trend

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

Is It Ideal For Seniors?

Over the last seven years, we have shared our expertise on the downsizing process with boomers and seniors through conferences, blogs and other online resources. We have offered ideas and insight on making a successful transition into a healthier and more manageable living environment, and our eight-step checklist to downsizing successfully and profitably.

When talking about downsizing, we have explored a variety of options. From condominiums and senior retirement communities, to recreational vehicles (RVs) and even boats, we have discussed the pros and cons of each.

Another downsizing option that has been trending in the United States since 1997 is known as the tiny house movement. It was made popular by Sarah Susanka with the publication of her book, The Not So Big House. As early as the 1970s, tiny house pioneers were touting the benefits of downsizing. And now, seniors and boomers are discovering the joys of tiny-house living.

Pros and Cons of Tiny House Living

Tiny houses come in all shapes and styles. From super mod and industrial chic, to rustic, luxe and everything in between. Tiny home owners really are limited only by their own imagination. If this is a downsizing option that may be right for you, don’t make the move without first weighing the pros and cons of this kind of downsizing.

First, let’s talk about the disadvantages that can come with tiny house living. The obvious downside to it is space limitations. The average home today includes 2,687 square feet of living space and are nearly 1,000 square feet larger than the average home of the 1970s. If you have been accustomed to living in the “average” size home for years, making the move to 500 square feet or less might be a shock to the system. Space is precious in a tiny house, and limits the ability to have things like a home office, or the ability to have more than the bare essentials.

Limited space can also lead to another con where tiny houses are concerned: relationship issues. If you are sharing your new tiny space with a significant other, there is the potential for trouble. No matter how well you think you get along, being forced to be in each other’s space all the time can test even the strongest of relationships. And if you do have a disagreement, or are just craving a little alone time, being crammed into a tiny house can make getting away from one another impossible.

There also are pros to living in a tiny house. The biggest is the cost savings that comes with reducing belongings and living space so drastically. Tiny homes can cost as little as a few hundred dollars or as much as you want to spend. The average tiny home in the U.S. costs $23,000. Because the size is compact, savings also are possible on the cost of utilities. Tiny homes, especially those mounted on wheels, are easy to relocate, which is another huge benefit to living small. Homes that are mounted on wheels so that they may easily be towed by trucks or other vehicles may have size restrictions, so keep this in mind if you opt for a tiny home with wheels.

Choosing a Design, Location

As mentioned earlier, there really is no limitation on the kind of design tiny house owners can incorporate. Some tiny homes are very simple, like this one, while others are quite elaborate. Some states have building codes pertaining to tiny houses, so be sure to check with yours before you purchase a premade model or build your own.

Some areas do not allow tiny homes at all, which can make it challenging for those who want to downsize to this option, but are not allowed to do so in their preferred city or state. This is the reason many tiny home builders put their homes on wheels. By putting their tiny home on wheels, owners can easily skirt building codes that require permanent dwellings to be of a minimum size. There currently is a movement to establish a national uniform building codethat will allow tiny home builders better access.

Once you choose a design, the next step is to find a location for your tiny house. If you decide to purchase one on wheels for easier transport, options for locations will be more plentiful and can include camp sites with water/sewer hookups to private plots of land. You also can build your tiny home on a foundation or a runner. A foundation can be a simple concrete slab, or a full “basement.” If you choose to build on a foundation, you will need to make sure the building codes in the area you plan to build allow for tiny houses.

If you want to have a foundation of sorts, but not one that’s so permanent that pulling up roots and relocating is harder, then consider a runner. This semi-permanent foundation style makes it easier to move in the future; however, you will need to build your tiny house so that it fits on wheels when the time comes for transport.

There are other aspects to consider when building a tiny home. If you have pets, you will want to make sure they have easy access and space for things like food bowls. There are many designs for tiny homes – like this one – that consider pets and their unique needs.

Pets aren’t the only ones who may need special accommodations. Some seniors don’t consider tiny homes because they may have ambulatory issues. But there are tiny home models, such as these, that are wheelchair and handicapped accessible. There truly is a tiny home design for every need!

Tiny homes are just one of many options when it comes time to downsize. To learn more about the downsizing process – including which option may be right for you – consider attending our upcoming Upside of Downsizing conference, scheduled for September 30 in Portland. More information about the conference, including guest speakers and how to register, is available here.

Mary Spann

Mary Spann is the founder and president of Upside of Downsizing®. In addition to her 26 years in construction, interior design, and home staging, Mary also holds college degrees in Social Work and Psychology, making her uniquely qualified to assist with the downsizing process, and helping 50 plus-year-olds achieve a happy and healthy life balance. Mary learned the key components of construction and interior design at an early age. Her father was a prominent custom home builder in Minnesota and Texas, and her mother was a successful interior designer and a principal broker.

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