Lasting Impressions Home Remodeling Center, LTD
As Printed In The Suburban Journels Of North County
"The New Fifty"
January 19, 2005
PHONE: (314) 837-7722 FAX (314) 837-0655
2168 N. Waterford; Florissant, Missouri 63033
The Maturing Market
Part I
“Accepting Reality”
One slip, one fall is all it takes to find yourself with a new friend – a walker or wheelchair to help get you around while you recover from an accident.
A temporary or permanent change of that sort in your or a loved one’s life can cause stress and trauma. For most of the aging population, moving in with a relative or building a new home to accommodate their new limited mobility is unthinkable and the talk of moving to an assisted living facility is out of the question.
So, what can you do when facing a new challenge in the golden years? Whether it’s you or your aging parent, there are some solutions available that allow you to stay in familiar, comfortable surroundings—namely, your home! Remaining in familiar surroundings is important for many people because it promotes a sense of independence.
Some solutions are very simple. Other solutions require minor or major remodeling, but staying at home is the important goal to keep in mind. The first thing to consider is safety. Safety should be a primary concern for everyone throughout the whole house.
Let’s begin with the simplest and least expensive solution—CLUTTER! After living in a home for 40 or 50 years, treasures are collected, papers accumulate, and magazines begin to take up permanent residence.
Survey your main living quarters first. Can a walker or wheelchair pass through these rooms? If the answer is yes, congratulations! Most of the time, however, the answer is “No Way.”
To change this “No” to a “Yes,” start by clearing space. You may need to donate several pieces of furniture to your favorite charity, or have someone move them to the basement for you. In either case, your objective is to widen the pathways through the home so they can easily accommodate a wheelchair or walker.
Next, cancel magazine subscriptions if you do not have the time to enjoy them. This step will help eliminate future clutter plus save you money.
Now comes the hard part—deciding what to do with your treasures. Everything you own requires space and care. Make an honest assessment on how much of each you have to spare at this point in your life.
It may be necessary to begin passing on some of your treasures to your children, grandchildren or other relatives and friends who would enjoy them and cherish their memories as you do. The process of sifting through a lifetime of accumulations can be daunting, however, and your home will not transform overnight.
To keep from becoming overwhelmed by the task, start on one section of a room at a time and complete that section before moving to the next. A good method to follow is to start at the doorway and work your way clockwise around the room.
Also, you might want to work in fifteen-minute intervals so you won’t become exhausted or weighed down by the task. Start slow and stay in the same room. If you start hopping from room to room your accomplishments won’t be as noticeable and you’ll become discouraged.
Your goal and your family’s goal is to let you safely stay at home and following the suggestions above will help move you in that direction. In my next article we’ll look at other changes you can make in your home that will help you achieve that goal.
Until next time, have fun treasure hunting and enjoy sharing a part of your life with others. If you have any questions or comments about ways to help you or a loved one remain at home and independent, feel free to call me at 314-837-7722.
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