Up & Coming Weekly

18 UCW MARCH 10 - 16, 2010 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM The Parent Trap: Boomers Help Mom and Dad Avoid a Home's Potential Pitfalls by MARTHA OWEN & SUSAN GUY If you're anywhere near retirement — or just dreaming about it — a vacation home might be on your horizon. Taking care of two homes may not seem so daunting. But, instead of a vacation home, what if that second home belongs to your senior parents? It's happening more than you know. That's because more seniors want to age at home. The majority of seniors polled in recent indus- try surveys — typically 90 percent — say they want to stay at home. The major concern is if that can be done. It's a legitimate fear. Many seniors and their families don't think about the fact that homes must adapt to the changing needs of folks as they age — until an accident happens, that is. And many will need help with their homes to stay there. We know that for a fact. Since co-author Susan Guy's husband's illness in 2005, they have installed a ramp, stairway chair lift, offset hinges in a bathroom, hand- rails, shower sprayer and shower chair. Areas to review are the entrance, living areas, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and stairways. You are looking for the many potential pitfalls that run the gamut from lighting problems to trip-and-fall hazards. Many home-safety improvements are simple and inexpensive, experts say. Convincing seniors to make them, on the other hand, is another story. We see a lot of seniors who don't want to admit they're getting older — so they don't want to make changes in their homes. If older adults do need help, they often don't know where to go, or how much things cost. If a senior has problems getting off the toilet, he might use a towel bar to assist in getting up. However, a towel bar might eventually pull away and break, creating the potential for an accident. Unfortunately, many home makeover changes are responsive rather than proactive. Too often changes aren't made until someone has had a stroke or other type of condition that begins to impair mobility. Let's go over some of those areas that you can look for in your senior's home. • Examine dark pathways, corners and other areas where seniors regularly walk or read. • Look for ways to reorganize. • Look for ways to simplify your senior's life. • Consider security. • Keep an eye out for damage. • Look for ways to make entries safe. • Is clutter taking over? While many fixes are simple and inexpensive, others might involve a remodeling project to help a senior remain at home. The first important step is to make an objective determination of what needs to be done to keep them at home. Home safety doesn't have to be expensive. Did you know that you could actually help your senior safeguard his or her home for less than $600. Here are some ideas: • Raised toilet seats with arms that lock onto an existing toilet provide height and support to stand. $90 • Hand-held shower nozzle slips directly over a tub faucet. $30 • Floor to ceiling grab bar provides a full range of heights to hold onto while sitting or standing up. It can be installed by the bed, in the bathroom or by a favorite chair. $150 • Offset door hinges (to allow a doorway to be a maximum of 2 inches wider). $35 • Lever doorknob turner adapters attach securely to a variety of round door knobs to provide leverage for easy opening. $22 • Lever handles attach to recliner chair handles to serve as an exten- sion. $22 • Various kitchen items are available including automatic openers that re- move lids and open cans, jars and bottles. $50 • Rubber ramp that is ADA compliant is easy to install to most surfaces. Ramp stays in place by its sheer weight and can be moved from one opening to another. $36 • Mobile stools are particularly useful to help seniors navigate a kitchen. $100. Searching the internet will offer many sources for these items at a variety of prices. Our area is fortunate to have Better Health, the only lender of medical equipment in the county. As a United Way Agency, they appreci- ate any medical equipment you would donate. Located at 1422 Bragg Blvd., you can learn more about this service at www.betterhealthcc. org. Remember that change is difficult for ev- eryone, especially seniors! Seniors must under- stand how the changes will positively impact their daily routine, which should result in support for the projects. The old saying that "Change is Good" can be the truth in these situ- ations. SENIOR CORNER SENIOR CORNER MARTHA OWEN & SUSAN GUY Contributing Writers COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 or editor@upandcomingweekly.com Bathrooms are common places for mishaps.

• Cover