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10 Kitchen Updates Help Seniors Age-in-Place
Home Improvements

6 Tips to Get Your Home Ready for Aging in Place

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

6 Tips to Get Your Home Ready for Aging in Place

Home Ready for Aging in Place1. It pays to retrofit. Basic design and structural modifications to a one-story home cost an average of $9,000 to $12,000, according to The MetLife Report on Aging in Place 2.0. Contrast that expense to the cost of assisted living, which averaged $3,500 per month in 2014, according to Genworth Financial, or $42,000 a year.
2. Think small. Start with replacement hardware, such as lever-handled doorknobs and sturdy handrails along stairs. Install grab bars, single-handled faucets and “comfort height” toilets in the bathrooms. Upgrade your kitchen by adding rollout shelves and better lighting under the cabinets. (For a comprehensive to-do list, see the Aging-in-Place Remodeling Checklist at http://www.nahb.org.)
3. Make it accessible. Other modifications will cost more, and you may want to consult an expert. Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists (CAPS) — who have completed a program developed by the National Association of Home Builders in collaboration with AARP — can create a prioritized to-do list suited to your budget and resources (to search by zip code, visit the NAHB website at http://www.nahb.org and search for “CAPS Directory”). If, for example, your home has entry steps, consider installing a ramp; it will run $1,200 to $2,500, according to http://www.costowl.com. A curbless modular shower will cost $2,000 to $3,000 to install.
4. Consider the big picture. Structural changes may include widening doorways and corridors and eliminating walls to accommodate wheelchairs and scooters, or even creating space in a multistory home to add an elevator later. The perfect time to make such adjustments is when you’re updating or remodeling your home.
5. Tap your equity. If you have substantial equity in your home, you have multiple ways to pay for improvements, such as a cash-out refinance of your mortgage, a home-equity loan or line of credit, or a reverse mortgage. For more information on reverse mortgages, visit the websites of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (go to http://www.cfpb.gov and search for “reverse mortgage”) and the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (http://www.reversemortgage.org). Veterans may be eligible for a grant to construct or retrofit their homes (see http://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/adaptedhousing.asp).
6. Use Technology for support. R2-D2 to the rescue. Voice-activated robot helpers are on the way. Meanwhile, existing tech tools can help you stay in touch with family, caregivers and community, as well as monitor your health and provide for security, says Laurie Orlov, founder of the Aging in Place Technology Watch (http://www.ageinplacetech.com). For example, the BeClose system (http://beclose.com; $499 for equipment plus $99 a month) will alert your emergency contacts if you diverge from your usual activity pattern.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance
(Patricia Mertz Esswein is an associate editor at Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. Send your questions and comments to moneypower@kiplinger.com. And for more on this and similar money topics, visit Kiplinger.com.)
(c) 2015 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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When is the Right Time for Seniors to Downsize?
Home Improvements

Downsizing in Comfort

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

Downsizing in Comfort: Making the most of a Smaller Space

Paint is cheap: Use it!

Downsizing in comfort: Making the most of a smaller spacePaint can be the best way to open up a smaller room. By using cooler colors – blues and greens – you can trick your eye into thinking the room is much bigger than its actual size. Darker colors tend to make the room look smaller and more constrained. Whether you choose to paint an accent wall to liven up your living room or paint the ceiling white with lighter walls, adding color to a room not only livens up the area, it also creates the illusion of a larger space with smaller square footage. Downsizing in comfort: Making the most of a smaller space
Think vertical
A sizeable amount of wasted space in any room sits between the top of the sofa and the ceiling. You can both utilize unused space in the room and have a place to store sentimental possessions by thinking vertical.[i] Using a large shelf to display family photos and heirlooms or a tall bookcase to house your favorite novels are perfect ways to hold onto possessions important to you without sacrificing precious space.
Keep items off the floor
This goes hand in hand with thinking vertical. You can considerably open up a room by choosing to hang items instead of placing them on the floor. A great way to draw the eye upward instead of downward, and creating the illusion of more space, is by hanging a mirror or a picture higher up on the wall. (ii) By saving the floor for only a large carpet or floor mat, the room is more open and stays cleaner.
Keep function in mind
When living in a smaller space, putting function first is one of the easiest ways to fully take advantage of your living space. One simple rule to follow for small space organizing: personalize your space to your tastes. If you prefer eating on the couch or in your favorite chair, save space in the kitchen by foregoing a larger table in favor of more functional items. If side tables and large television stands are cluttering your living room, think about how you can use a piece of furniture for more than one function; a television stand can double as a bookcase or cabinet, and a coffee table can hold anything from your magazines to your reading glasses to an extra blanket.
Utilize unseen space
Some of the best storage spaces are invisible. Closets with plenty of shelves and closet doors are great places to keep your winter clothes. When your “going-out” outfit does not call for a certain pair of shoes, store them and the rest of your footwear under the bed. Have extra blankets and pillows for when the grandkids want to stay over? Keep them out of sight inside an ottoman with a storage compartment.
Living in a smaller space does not mean you must live uncomfortably. By taking advantage of simple organization tips for small spaces, you can still have the comfort of a larger home without the hassle of spending your time with its maintenance.
Holiday Retirement offers numerous resident programs and amenities designed to make our residents feel welcome and at home. Contact Holiday Retirement to learn more about these and other exciting programs, and to find a location near you.

[i] Pandolfi, Keith. “9 Small-Space Solutions.” This Old House. http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20301933_20665706,00.html.
[ii] Cannell, Michael. “Make the Most of Small Spaces.” Real Simple. http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/decorating/decorating-tips-techniques/make-most-small-spaces (accessed April 15, 2015).
Katie McHale
Posted in Mind, Body, and Spirit
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10 Frugal Gardening Tricks
Home Improvements

10 Frugal Gardening Tricks

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

056049A10 Frugal Gardening Tricks

Fun, frugal and environmentally-friendly, these tricks will help you get a great garden:

  1. Use a yardstick and permanent marker to mark inches and feet on the handle of your rake, shovel or hoe. The next time you plant, simply lay the marked handle along the row and perfectly-spaced seeds will be a snap.
  2. Line the bottom of a clay pot with a coffee filter to keep soil from leaking out the bottom hole.
  3. Use empty plastic water bottles or clear milk jugs to fill the bottom of large pots. They will reduce the weight of the pot and require less soil to fill.
  4. Want to test your seeds to see if they’re still viable for this planting season? Do what kids do. Place a wet paper towel inside a zip top bag, drop in 3-4 seeds and wait a week to see if anything grows.
  5. One way to prevent weeds is to line your garden with a layer of newspaper. Just top two or three sheets of newsprint with a layer of pine needles, grass clippings or dried leaves for an eco-friendly and inexpensive weed barrier.
  6. Instead of planting tall sunflowers in a row, plant them in a large circle. Once the flowers reach their full height, it will be the perfect secret hideaway for children to play.
  7. Provide brightly-colored nesting material for birds to build their nests. Cut small lengths of yarn, ribbons, twine cloth strips, and then gently drape them over sturdy plants or tree branches. Spring nests will be beautiful.
  8. Keep gardening twine handy. Nail a funnel to your potting bench with the spout pointing downward, feed the twine through and your string will never go missing. For a more portable solution, place a ball of twine inside a Mason jar, make a hole in the metal lid and feed the end of the twine through the hole. Now, you can take twine anywhere tangle-free.
  9. There is no need to buy expensive potting systems for starting seedlings. Place several cardboard toilet paper rolls inside a clean plastic clamshell, like those used for supermarket salads. Fill each cardboard tube with potting soil and plant. Once your seedlings grow too tall for the clamshell, simply tear off the top lid.
  10. Canning tomatoes is an art that requires hours in a hot kitchen on a steamy summer day. Forego the work and simply freeze your tomatoes in a zip top bag. When you thaw the tomatoes, their skins slip right off and you’re ready to add delicious summer flavor to your favorite recipe.
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Home Improvements

Are Your Appliances Up To Scratch?

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

Are Your Appliances Up To Scratch?
Kitchen DishesHome appliances should be checked on a regular basis. Not only will this help you to know that you are getting the best out of them, but also you will be ensuring that you and your family are kept as safe as possible. Are Your Appliances Up To Scratch?
If your appliances are not in a good working order, they will be potential hazards, but not only that, even if you avoid a major disaster, they will certainly be costing you far more in energy. Ovens for instance could have the potential to leak gas whilst washing machines can carry many dangers from the potential for major electrical faults to simple things such as ruining your family’s clothes.
Checking them regularly is the first step to making sure they are not hazardous or simply just not doing the best possible job. Faulty washing machines for instance could lead you to have to wash clothes many more times than should be necessary and in turn waste money not just on energy bills but on washing powder and softener too.
Should your appliances be old or no longer working like they should, it is easy to just let things carry on as they are and get complacent, or be worried about how much new replacement ovens are going to be. However, if they are showing problems there is a potential for danger never mind the reduction in efficiency and getting them repaired or buying new alternatives is a must.
In the long run it is often easier to simply buy new appliances as by shopping for them online you will almost certainly find them at prices that make forking out for repairs seem utterly pointless. A new appliance will also come with a good warranty and you can be sure that it will do the job you need it for many years to come.

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Home Improvements

Is your Furnace Filter Making You SICK?

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

Is your Furnace Filter Making You SICK?
FilterWe all know how important nutritious food and clean drinking water are to our health. But rarely do we consider another major health factor we cannot see, touch, or taste: the air we breathe. Medical studies confirm that many people unknowingly breathe “sick” air in their homes and offices every day- air that contains common microscopic elements like pollen, dust mites, and bacteria. As this polluted air is absorbed into our skin, lungs, and blood cells, it often causes or aggravates allergic reactions, headaches, fatigue, recurring colds, breathing difficulties, dizziness, nausea, and serious respiratory diseases. Is your Furnace Filter Making You SICK?I
Air conditioner filters commonly used in residential applications are often inefficient, low cost furnace filters purchased from a local hardware store. These filters generally consist of a cardboard frame housing fiber mats or blankets of varying thickness, fiber sizes, and densities. Manufacturers recommend changing these filters regularly, however, homeowners rarely follow such recommendations.
As a result, particulate buildup on the filter increases thereby increasing the pressure drop or resistance across the furnace filter. When this occurs the airflow naturally seeks the path of least resistance. Since the thin cardboard filter frames provide a poor perimeter seal, when the resistance increases, air tends to leak around the frame edges thereby completely avoiding filtration.
One company recently received a US patent for a new, efficient, air conditioning filter incorporating a plurality of filtration methods in series configuration for optimum filtration performance and low resistance. The invention comprises: a rigid frame custom fabricated and sized for a conventional air handling unit filter track, a gasket attached to the frame for providing a seal to prevent air bypass, a conventional replaceable dry-type filter media, viscous impingement media, and an electrets or electrostatic filter, arranged in series.
These new furnace filters have been engineered to eliminate the many problems found in ordinary furnace filters. They are available through air conditioning companies and home inspectors; you can also find them on the internet by searching Air Sponge Filters.
articlecity.com

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Home Improvements

Get Luxurious Window Designs For Your Home

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

windowsGet luxurious window designs for your home and add elegance to your decor. Using stylish frames in your home can change the entire look of your home. When refurnishing our homes we often tend to ignore the opening and their frames. But this can affect the overall deor and can make it look shabby. So get stylish balcony windows that can make your home look modern and stylish.
As per the present trend, more and more people are opting for sliding windows and other window designs that can make their home look larger. Using the large frames allows the natural light to enter your home and helps in making your home look spacious. They also allow proper ventilation so that you don’t feel crammed in your home.
If you need to get a good balcony windows that can look out to your balcony and enhance the splendid view then you can opt for French windows. This kind of frame functions as door also and is trendy. It allows the air and light to enter inside your home and also makes it possible for you to enjoy the splendid view.
In case you don’t have a balcony but would still like to get a good frame then the sliding windows may be considered for the same. These are apt for huge opening so that you can install 2-3 panes easily. Since these are installed in huge opening they also allow your room to get natural light and air.
Different kinds of materials are now used in window designs. One can prominently see wooden and aluminum windows around him. However, these materials require maintenance work and are costly. This is why people are now opting for UPVC frames that are stylish, durable and affordable. The UPVC has now become very popular with buyers and is preferred over wooden frames or over any other material.
People have realized that UPVC frames are more durable and are cost effective. Installing UPVC sliding windows allows them to forget about maintenance cost and thus it works out to be cheaper. These can be made weather friendly also and are therefore better than other kinds of windows. If you are interested in seeing different kinds of balcony windows then you can contact companies like Fenesta that provide with different kinds of windows and doors. You can get bay windows, casement windows or other styles that may be apt for your home.

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Home Improvements

Tips on Water Removal from Flood

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

Tips on Water Removal from Flood
home-264231_640Once your home has suffered from flooding, it can be quite a long process before you can actually start to carry out repairs. So in the interim period, ensuring that water is removed and mold removal is carried out is necessary. Tips on Water Removal from Flood
Because repairs on a flood-damaged property can be performed only when the timber and masonry has been fully dried out, it can take some time for the relevant dehumidifying equipment to carry out its work. And the water removal has been sufficient for any repairs to be carried out which wouldn’t themselves be damaged by the water still within the property.
What To Do Once You Suffer Flood Damage
Coming home to find that your house has been hit by a flood, or finding the flood waters rising and there is nothing you can do to prevent it from hitting your home can be a devastating experience. Therefore, it is important that once this has happened, you take a moment to compose yourself so that you can be calm and rational when dealing with the insurance company.
They will understand your desire to get everything repaired as soon as possible, and will make sure that the water removal has been completed sufficiently for any repairs to be lasting repairs. After this has been completed and the repairs carried out, they will also take mold removal measures to ensure that there isn’t any mold of fungal growths that will take hold afterwards.
And once flooding has occurred, the most important to do is to carefully carry out their instructions in terms of what needs to be done, and not take any rash steps that may damage any claim that you will actually be making.
The Importance Of Water Removal And Mold Removal
Depending on the severity of the flooding, it can often be the case that your home will not be habitable for some time after the flood strikes, so you may well be desperate to get back into your home. However, it is important to be patient as moving back in too quickly can lead to problems of its own.
While waiting for the water removal stage to be completed, you will often see that there doesn’t seem to be much activity, apart from the dehumidifiers working almost constantly. It may seem to be tedious, but it is vital to make sure that your house is almost entirely dry before repairs are carried out, otherwise, you may run in to large problems with mold damage further down the line.
Mold removal is almost equally important, as these fungi can also cause large problems in the aftermath of flooding, whether it be from a growth on your walls, or in the more serious cases, those growing in areas which aren’t visible and accessible.
By ensuring that these steps are carried out to completion, then you will allow your repairs to be fully effective, and can be happy that they will be in place for years to come.
articlecity.com

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When To Resurface Your Driveway
Home Improvements

7 Simple Steps In Cleaning Your Furnace Filter

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

Home Pic7 Simple Steps In Cleaning Your Furnace Filter
Regular furnace maintenance is indispensable to keep your home’s cooling or heating system in top condition. Cleaning a furnace can be cumbersome to some homeowners but knowing that the build up of dust and debris in the system can create friction and a possible fire hazard, they should deem it important. There are lots of professional services offering furnace and duct cleaning using the right tool to fully reach down and target the dirt accumulated in your HVACs furnaces. However, there are simple tools that are easily accessible right in your nearest hardware store that can let you clean your own furnace and spare yourself from spending with labor.
Check out these simple steps on how you can go about cleaning your own furnace filter.
1. Disconnect the power and fuel sources. You don’t want your first furnace filter maintenance job to be your last so keep it mind that you are working on an electrical appliance. Never work with the electrical wires unplugged. As an additional safety measure, in gas and oil furnaces, the pilot light and fuel supply needs to be shut off.
2. Locate your furnaces maintenance service panel. You can refer to the user manual to see if you might need any tool to accomplish this task. Some furnace doors open by hand, while others are screwed in or fastened so you may need a screwdriver or other simple tool to open it.
3. Locate the furnace filter. The furnace filter is that spongy like piece of object that sits between the furnace and the air duct. It has a width of 1 inch or slightly more than that.
4. Once you locate the filter, take it out from the furnace. If you have a reusable filter, you can just take it out and clean all the dirt from the filter with your garden hose. Let it dry before replacing it. If you have a disposable filter, you can just replace it with a new one.
5. Clean the areas where the filter sits. You can use an old toothbrush to get into the furnace�s blower and smaller spaces and thus effectively remove accumulated dust and debris.
6. Replace the filter and put back any safety cover that you have removed. Check to see if everything is in order, if yes, you can reconnect the furnace and turn it on. If you have an electrostatic air filter, simply take it out, wash it with a hose an place it back in the filter tracks.
7. Run the furnace for a few minutes and observe if there are unusual sounds or smell coming out. If you smell burning wires or are hearing crackling sounds for prolonged period of time, shut down the furnace and call in a furnace and duct cleaning professional.
A clean furnace is the number one thing to keep heating or cooling equipment running at its peak performance along with maintaining its life span. Checking your air filters for blockage at least once a month, especially if you use continuous heat throughout the winter season, can not only increase your furnaces’ efficiency but it can also cut down your bills and save your family from possible respiratory health issues as well.
articlecity.com

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Home Improvements

Ideas for Small Bathroom Remodeling

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

Ideas for Small Bathroom Remodeling
BathroomWhile you plan to re-work the bathroom space, the first thing you need to consider is its design. While working on bathroom remodeling ideas for small bathrooms, try not to change the existing layout and plumbings. You can either add or reduce the elements, but avoid shifting the major elements. If you have a bathtub then you can consider adding a shower enclosure. With the required shower fixtures and a classic shower curtain, you can enjoy the soothing shower as well as the relaxing bathtub. Consider adding bathroom safety for seniors. Apart from this, add a wall hung vanity to the basin. Corner, wall hung basin is best to be added instead of pedestal basins that occupy a lot of space. Utilize the corner space as much as you can. If you are adding a shower stall consider using glass as this will not give a blocking effect.Ideas for Small Bathroom Remodeling
Add Storage
Once the basic design is worked over, you need to add some extra storage here. Remember that lack of storage is sure to make your small bathroom look cluttered and messy. As mentioned above, add wall hung bathroom vanity that will not occupy the floor space. Make arrangements to place your towels, bathrobes, etc. Have a vertical mirror over the basin and add small shelves on either sides of the mirror. These shelves will help you place the toiletries. One of the best small bathroom remodeling ideas is to add more shelves and closed cabinets on a side wall where you can keep grooming essentials and other bathroom accessories.
Color it Fresh
Giving a fresh coat to your bathroom needs no mention while you remodel it. Browse through the remodeling ideas for small bathrooms and you will find a lot of lively colors covering the bathroom walls. While it is best to paint small spaces in lighter shades like white, peach, lemon yellow, you can consider adding spicy element with a hint of flashy shade. Go for wall texturing or add a dark shade between the light colors. If bathroom walls are covered with tiles, make sure you clean them and the grout thoroughly and make them anew.
Spice it Up
One you have finished implementing the basic bathroom remodeling ideas for small bathrooms, it is time to spruce up the area. Add decorative accent pieces like potted plants near the entrance and empty shelves. You can use decorative show pieces, wall hangings and frames to play up the bathing area. Use colorful, scented candles and decorative candle holders to further brighten up the small bathroom remodeling designs.
With the aforementioned bathroom remodeling ideas for small bathrooms, get ready to have a great looking bathing space. Make sure you maintain uniformity in terms of colors to get the best effect while bathroom remodeling for small bathrooms. With latest bathroom fixtures that area available in classy finishes and designs, you can give a grand touch to the area. Fresh and bright colors will help give a lively look to the bathroom designs for small spaces. So when are you remodeling your small bathroom?

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