Guest BloggerHow to Downsize with Alzheimers in the Mix
We have said it before, and you will likely hear us say it many more times: downsizing is taxing on the body, mind and spirit. More than just the physical aspects of sorting, donating, discarding and packing, downsizing takes an emotional toll on everyone involved in the process. How To Downsize With Alzheimer’s In The Mix The emotional stress of downsizing can be triggered by memories of the items you are sorting, attachment to a home where you may have raised a family and made many memories, and the echoes in the back of your mind whispering that change can be
Continue readingMaking the Move to Senior Living Easy for Mom
Don't wait until the weekend before the move! Follow these 6 tips for a smooth transition: Set aside a weekend: Moving takes time. Set aside a weekend to do it right. Get the family involved: Get as many family members as possible to help with the move. Aside from helping the move go more quickly, it'll help remind your Mom that she has a support system. Identify the true junk: Walk with your Mom through her house or apartment identifying items that all agree can be donated, recycled, or trashed. Remember: just because Mom owns it, doesn't mean she has to
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Carol MarakWays to Adjust to a New City
Are you starting over in a new city where you don't know anyone? Or thinking about making a move? Or maybe you've just moved to an independent living facility and know very few residents. I found an article on Livability and wanted to share a few great tips if you plan to make a move to a new city in the future. A few years back I made a move and glad for it. It was definitely life-changing and, rarely, disappointing - and it's something everyone should do at least once. After the move, it took a while to adjust
Continue readingWhat to Know About Landlords
A reader requests, "Many retirees opt to sell their homes and rent apartments. It would be great to see something about dealing effectively with landlords as we age, particularly when it comes to important maintenance and safety issues. Many owner landlords are reluctant to spend money or manpower on maintenance; and don't always take service requests or complaints submitted by older renters seriously and/or do not respond in a timely manner. And many seniors are reluctant to report or assert themselves for fear of reprisal or confrontational situations. Perhaps this falls somewhere under the "elder law" category?" Drive out rent
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Kendall VanBlarcomMoving Aging Parents into Your House
Are you considering moving an aging parent into your home? For some, moving parents into an adult child’s home is an optimal solution for everyone involved, but there are things to keep in mind to secure a smooth transition. Benefits of Living with Your Elderly Parents Some families find living with multiple generations is beneficial for everyone. For an aging parent, it can help to decrease feelings of isolation. And adult children can welcome the support of another adult while raising their own young children. Even if you are looking forward to transitioning your parents from their own home into
Continue readingHow Tech Habits Evolved During COVID-19
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
Continue readingSenior Rentals: Benefits To Renting, Drawbacks, and Tips You Should Know
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
Continue readingDangerous Effect Mold Can Have on Seniors
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
Continue readingSurprising Cause of Most House Fires
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
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