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We always like to promote worthwhile events and causes on our blog and this one is no exception. On August 31, 2010, RV4TheCure comes to Pittsburgh, hosted by Martin M. Shenkman, CPA, MBA, PFS, JD, a well-known author of over 34  tax, estate and legal books. In 2006, his wife, Patti Klein, MD, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.  Marty and Patti are traveling throughout the country providing  advice on special estate, tax and legal issues confronting those with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, and other chronic diseases.

RV4TheCure is a program, a national initiative, designed to educate professional advisors in several disciplines (CPAs, attorneys, financial planners, insurance consultants) on how they can better advise clients whose families have been impacted by chronic illnesses.

According to Marty, although there  are often simple modifications that can be made to investment plans, insurance arrangements, powers of attorney and other common steps that can make the planning and documents more protective for, and tailored to, those living with chronic illness.

The couple, because traveling had become so difficult for Patti, purchased an RV to accommodate the many health issues more typical travel made so difficult. The Shenkmans now travel from one seminar location to another  with their Airstream trailer.

Ken Eisner, of Eisner Law, PC, along with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Team Fox, and the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps are teaming up to host his free seminar presented by Martin entitled “Estate and Financial Planning for Clients Living with Chronic Illness” on August 31, 2010 at the Rivers Club, Oxford Center, 301 Grant Street, Suite 411, Pittsburgh, PA  15219.

Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. and the seminar will be held from 8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m.  Professional advisors will be entitled to one hour CPE, CFP, or CLE credit.  There will be no solicitation at this event. If you are interested or know of other professional advisors that would like to better serve and advise their clients living with chronic illness, then please register by either calling Ken Eisner at (724) 940-7500 or e-mailing keisner@eisnerlawfirm.com.  Seating is limited.

Despite his hectic schedule, Martin was kind enough to do a brief Q&A with us to tell us more about the program.

What drives you and how do you maintain this drive to continue doing rv4thecure? Our 4-year journey with chronic illness has repeatedly demonstrated how many living with health issues are treated insensitively, unfairly and are often taken advantage of….. Creating awareness will address that. Helping professionals better understand the issues and giving them planning tools will help that. Through the rv4thecure mission we will have an impact in both these areas. By reaching out to professional advisers, each of whom may have hundreds or thousands of clients, we are able to greatly leverage the impact of our efforts to help more people living with chronic illness.

What advice do you have for those who are struggling with chronic illness to help change the way they think? With respect to estate, tax and financial planning, those living with chronic illness must be forthright and really explain to their advisers (CPA, attorney, financial planner) what their illness is, what its likely disease course is and then work pro-actively with advisers to plan. Too often people with health issues don’t really disclose their status, or sufficient detail, to enable their advisers to help.

What plans do you have for rv4thecure in the short and long term? Where do you hope it will take you? In time, all over the U.S. We’re doing a trip through the Midwest in August/September. We’re planning a trip down the east coast in early spring 2011 and later that year to the south to Texas.

What can professional advisors expect to learn from Estate and Financial Planning for Clients Living with Chronic Illness? First, we’ll build awareness as to the common nature of chronic illness. 120 million Americans are affected yet most advisers would guess a very small percentage of their clients are living with chronic illness. Second, by making relatively modest (in terms of professional time and effort) changes to general planning techniques, advisers can make a tremendous positive impact on clients living with chronic illness. This also presents a great business opportunity. With an aging population the techniques and planning ideas we teach about will be useful to all advisers trying to build their practices.

Do you have any other tips or advice you’d like to share with our readers? Show empathy. The next time someone is pushing the grocery cart slower than you would like, or reacts a bit less quickly than you would at a traffic light, first consider that they might have a tough health issue they’re struggling with and being abrasive will hurt them, stress them, and do little to change the speed at which they can react. Given the statistics, it will likely be you or someone you love in the same situation at some point, so treat them appropriately.

RV4TheCure has just launched its own Facebook page. Just search for RV4TheCure and follow them!

Are you following us on Twitter? — Home Evolutions will give you real-time updates when our latest blogs are posted, as well as timely information on Aging-in-Place news from around the country.

In a recent article for U.S.News & World Report, Philip Moeller discusses The Stanford Center on Longevity’s newly published review of aging and demographic statistics in the United States.

New Realities for an Older America: Challenges, Changes and Questions captures the nation’s major aging trends in a single report. Authored by Adele M. Hayutin, Miranda Dietz, and Lillian Mitchell, the report summarizes what is already known about aging realities, but it also poses important questions about how we are going to deal with them as a country.

The Stanford report begins by highlighting several facts that it believes will drive the debate over how America deals with an aging society, including:

• One in every five Americans will be at least 65 years old in 2030, up from 13% today and only 8% in 1950.
• Older people are living much longer and retirements are lasting 20 to 30 years instead of 10 or 15.
• The numbers of households with older Americans has soared to about 22.5 million and nearly half of them represent older Americans living alone.

In addition, the report lists twelve aging-related questions that it says the United States needs to address including these samples:

• How should we change our senior-age support programs (Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security), and other age-related polices, so that we as a society and as individuals, can realize the benefits of increased longevity without being overwhelmed by the costs?
• What incentives would lead individuals and communities to make realistic provisions for their long-term care needs and living arrangements, without adding to the already substantial budgetary pressures governments face because of aging populations?
• What home-based services available in traditional communities would allow people to remain independent longer?
• What are the characteristics of age-friendly communities and what are the critical indicators of success?
• Will mortality rates for dementia continue to rise? What medical breakthroughs might reduce the prevalence, age of onset, or speed of progression?
• How will rising health care spending threaten personal and national financial security as the population ages?

Asking the right questions, having excellent resources like The Stanford Center on Longevity, and utilizing the expertise of companies like Home Evolutions, can help seniors age-in-place comfortably, safely, and independently.

Read more about this story in the next and upcoming issue of The Forever Home!

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With the current heat wave hitting our region and much of the northeast with record-breaking high temperatures—first and foremost, everyone (especially seniors and people with disabilities) should be cautious and vigilant to not become over heated. Stay cool by remaining indoors with air conditioning and fans during the hottest times of the day, and remember to not do strenuous activities in excessive heat.

Since most people are running their fans more and their air conditioning lower and longer (especially perhaps seniors who are aging-in-place in their own homes), it is also wisely frugal and economically important to keep an eye on how much you are spending on energy through these hot days.

A recent article offers some tips on how seniors can lower their energy costs and save money during the summer. One way to do this is to reduce the amount of energy used every month. Here are a few ideas for ways that seniors can cut back and things they can change to help reduce monthly energy expenses.

In General

• Turn it off if you’re not using it! You could save 2% on your electric bill.
• Unplug appliances that aren’t in use—they still draw electricity.
• Replace air conditioning filters once a month.
• When re-charging cell phones (or other re-chargeable devices), only leave them plugged in as long as it takes to charge them.
• Install a whole house fan and save up to 5% on electricity.
• Install window shades or film to keep the house cooler. Shade trees also can help.
• Have your cooling ducts checked for leaks and sealed—this could save up to 20%!
• Make sure to adjust outdoor lighting timers to save money since it is daylight longer.
• Check and re-install weather stripping, seals, and caulk.
• Set your thermostat to 78 when you’re home and 85 when you’re away.
• Use ceiling fans to keep rooms cooler.
• Keep the blinds drawn to cool down your house.

In the Kitchen

• Cooking with your microwave uses 1/3 less energy than your stove.
• Use the dishwasher instead of washing by hand—it uses less water.
• Save 1% of your electric bill by air drying your dishes if you use a dishwasher.
• If you have a range hood, use it frequently to vent heat from cooking.
• Grill out to keep cooking costs down.

When Doing Laundry

• Do as much of your laundry in cold (or warm if need be) water. Always rinse in cold water.
• Dry your clothes on the line and save money on your energy bill (up to 5%).
• Always run full loads in the dryer when you use it.
• Clean your dryer filters for efficiency.

Are you following us on Twitter? — Home Evolutions will give you real-time updates when our latest blogs are posted, as well as timely information on Aging-in-Place news from around the country.

As a service to local charities, we like to give our readers a heads-up on any special event that may be coming up that would be of interest. The “Tickets Fore Charity!” is one of those events. A worthy organization, Airlift Research Foundation, will be participating.

Would you like to see some of the PGA’s upcoming stars compete for their spot on the PGA tour? Are you looking for an opportunity to entertain friends or clients and would like to help a good cause at the same time?

From August 30 -September 5, 2010, the Mylan Classic presented by CONSOL Energy will partner with the PGA Tour to bring the Nationwide Tour to Washington County, a neighbor to Pittsburgh. The Mylan Classic is providing non-profit organizations with the opportunity to sell tournament tickets and receive 100% of the proceeds through their “Tickets Fore Charity” program, and the Airlift Research Foundation will be participating.

Additionally, funds from a $25,000 bonus pool provided by ANSYS, Inc. will be distributed based on each charity’s percentage of total ticket revenue. Tickets range from $25-$50 and may be purchased in packs of ten ($200-$400) as well. To participate in this great event and support the Airlift Research Foundation by purchasing tickets, please visit www.airliftrf.org. The Mylan Classic will be played at Southpointe Golf Club in Canonsburg, PA. For more information on the Classic, please visit www.MylanClassic.com.

About the Airlift Research Foundation: The Airlift Research Foundation exists to breathe hope into the lives of those who have suffered life changing orthopaedic trauma, on the battlefield and at home. We rarely think of trauma as a growing epidemic. Yet the fact is that trauma is —by far— the most common cause of impairment and death in young people all over the world. And the greatest targets of trauma are the legs we stand on and the arms with which we embrace. Partnering with The Aircast Foundation, an internationally recognized leader in translating donor dollars to real scientific progress, the Airlift Research Foundation is looking for members of the public to support critically-needed innovative research that returns injured troops and civilians to maximal function — empowering those who have lost limbs or limb function, so we can say “yes” you can be all you once were, and more. By investing public funds into the careers of the world’s best and brightest clinician scientists, the Airlift Research Foundation sets a course for the future. Just as the history-making invention of sterile surgical technique came out of the Civil War, our current military conflicts will drive quantum advances in orthopaedic trauma medicine, benefiting countless people in war and peacetime alike.

Please keep us posted on any other worthwhile events and fundraisers!

Are you following us on Twitter? — Home Evolutions will give you real-time updates when our latest blogs are posted, as well as timely information on Aging-in-Place news from around the country.

A recent article by Paula Span for The New York Times discusses the many benefits of minimal physical activity for seniors and gives them another reason to keep moving.

Span focuses on a new Journal of Gerontology study that proclaims more good news about the role of exercise in preserving cognitive skills. “It made me so happy that I decided to call the lead researcher, epidemiologist, Dr. Catarina Rosano of the University of Pittsburgh, to learn more.”

“We already knew that exercise makes you sharper and makes your mood better,” Rosano explained. “But it wasn’t clear how much or how often you have to exercise, or how soon in life. Do you have to begin by 60? Can you wait until you’re 70? Do you have to exercise every day, or every other day, until you die?”

Rosano’s subjects were all over 70 and had led sedentary lives until they were recruited for the study. One group became more physically active, with a goal of walking 150 minutes each week, and a comparison group met for health discussions, but didn’t do the walking. According to Span, the programs continued for a year, and Rosano’s team followed up nearly two years later with 20 seniors who continued walking at least one to three times a week.

But we are not talking about sprints and extreme calisthenics here. Rosano emphasized, “They didn’t hit the gym like crazy—they were walking.”

The participants then took a test that involved remembering numbers and symbols on a computer screen. “This is similar to functions of the brain we use every single day,” noted Rosano. The exercisers continued to do significantly better on the test—with greater speed and fewer errors than the control group. In addition, the imaging scans demonstrated that more parts of the brain were activated, and to a greater extent, in the group that had kept walking.

Span explained that even though this is a pilot study (which the researchers plan to replicate with a much larger sample—perhaps then answering more of those questions about how often and how much), this report adds to evidence that a low-cost, moderate approach to exercise yields cognitive dividends. Rosano concludes, “Some level of physical activity, even started later in life, can really impact the brain. Taking a walk with someone you like and having a chat—that’s always great.”

Exercise and activity are important aspects to aging-in-place—and they can help you to remain living healthy, safely, and independently at home.

Are you following us on Twitter? — Home Evolutions will give you real-time updates when our latest blogs are posted, as well as timely information on Aging-in-Place news from around the country.

As a company dedicated to providing remodeling options for seniors and people with disabilities that allow them to remain living independently, Home Evolutions is happy to share stories in this blog that also highlight these groups’ independence.

A recent article by Sonya Chun, for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, discusses the production of a new movie entitled, “Pie Head: A Kinda’ True Story,” that is currently being shot in Pittsburgh, Pa. The movie will feature actors with disabilities.

According to Chun, the movie is being made by Pie Head Productions and stars Hollis McLachlan, who also wrote, produced, and directed it. “McLachlan hopes to pave the way for disabled actors in her film. Through the family comedy, she wanted to offer opportunities in the film industry for people with disabilities and special needs.”

McLachlan believes that “Disabled actors are not encouraged to look outside of the box or audition as, let’s say, a secretary.” The director wants to show that people with disabilities can and do work in many different, regular roles. She continues, “In real life, disabled people have those jobs so why can’t a secretary be in a wheel chair for a movie?”

The diverse cast will also include actors without disabilities as well as actors of various ethnicities. McLachlan explains, “We have a great group of people—we should appreciate our differences because that’s what makes life interesting.”

Chun notes that the film is based on McLachlan’s personal experiences about moving to Los Angeles in pursuit of an acting career and working as a special education teacher in an inner-city public school after graduating from Washington and Jefferson College.

McLachlan and her mother, Louann Petrucci, came up with the idea while taking a walk two years ago while she was recounting her traumatic experiences as a teacher to her mom. “It was a heavy subject matter, but to lighten the mood, I told the stories in a comedic way so I could laugh instead of cry,” McLachlan said. “The next day, we both called each other and thought that it would make a great movie.” She and her mother wrote the script together and are working as producers on the film.

McLachlan originally intended the film to have one disabled actor play her autistic brother, Gregory Louis, but after meeting several actors with disabilities during the auditions, she decided to rewrite the script to include them, too. “Acting isn’t about having the physical requirements or a pretty face, but who can deliver the best performance. I’m not favoring disabled people—I’m trying to be a true, equal opportunity employer.”

Although the story centers on McLachlan’s experience as a teacher, she hopes many can relate to the film’s overall message. “Our economy is not in the best shape and lots of people are losing jobs and starting over. So, this story has developed far beyond my experience as a teacher,” she said. “‘Pie Head’ is not just a story about a girl who moved to L.A., but it is about how you pick yourself up when things are looking bleak and how you can help yourself attain your goals.”

McLachlan doesn’t expect this low-budget film to make it to theaters, but hopes that viewers will enjoy the family comedy fun. “I’m not anticipating anything grandiose, but I wanted to give actors with disabilities and actors in the Pittsburgh area more opportunities and an encouraging, reinforcing experience.”

Are you following us on Twitter? — Home Evolutions will give you real-time updates when our latest blogs are posted, as well as timely information on Aging-in-Place news from around the country.

Here at Home Evolutions, we occasionally like to report on inspirational human beings such as Michael Donahue of Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Michael joined hundreds of veterans and their motorcycles as they began a cross-country journey for the annual “Run for the Wall” last Wednesday, May 19, 2010. Michael will be a part of that group and so will his Mobility Conquest wheelchair accessible motorcycle.

Michael, 55, began riding motorcycles when he was 16 years old. Thirty years ago, he was a military policeman in Virginia Beach and was accidentally shot. The injury left him paralyzed from the waist down and he was certain he would never ride again.

However, last year, the freedom of the open road was once again an option for Michael. He purchased The Conquest after finding the wheelchair accessible motorcycle while surfing the web one day. Michael had been searching for a viable option for over 27 years and has now found the one motorcycle that will let him enjoy the freedom that the motorcycle offers.

Michael is leaving for the cross-country trek from his home Rancho Cucamonga with his new wheels, as he takes part in the annual motorcycle ride “Run For the Wall” that ends in Washington, D.C. The ride raises awareness for veterans and those that are missing in action.

“I’m going to put on as many miles as I can,” Michael says. “I’m going to put her to the test. Everybody calls it a Batmobile. Temporarily, she’s my freedom chariot.”

Michael says that people take pictures of him on it and when he took it the DMV, they weren’t sure how to register it. Mark Allen Roberts, president of Mobility Works, said that many of their customers tell him they never thought they would be able to ride again.

“It’s hard to explain what it’s like watching people’s faces change when you give them new hope,” he says.
Mobility Conquest was founded by Bill Koeblitz of Mobility Works, in partnership with Martin Conquest of the UK. Mobility Conquest will be the only authorized manufacturers and distributors of this powerful, wheelchair accessible motorcycle.

There are currently 29 wheelchair accessible motorcycles in the country and Michael was the first to buy one in California. He will be one of three riders taking their Mobility Conquests to the capital on the ride. The other two riders will be joining the “Ride For the Wall” in Ohio.

For more information on The Conquest wheelchair accessible motorcycle, visit the official website at http://www.MobilityConquest.com.

Are you following us on Twitter? — Home Evolutions will give you real-time updates when our latest blogs are posted, as well as timely information on Aging-in-Place news from around the country.

The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing last week titled “Aging in Place: The National Broadband Plan and Bringing Health Care Technology Home.”

This hearing focused on:

• Benefits of remote patient monitoring;
• Need for more broadband;
• Special health care needs of the senior population and the obstacles presented by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) when it comes to reimbursement of services related to telehealth and telemedicine.

Elements of e-Care include:

• Video consultation services make specialty services available to rural and other underserved areas, improving health care quality and reducing disparities while also increasing convenience for patients. Nearly 50 million people living in rural areas face challenges accessing needed health care today.

• Home monitoring can place daily metrics of patients’ health—weight, blood pressure and other vital measures—in patients’ and providers’ hands, improving chronic care management and patient engagement. Early detection of problems made possible with real time information, but not imaginable through office visits at six-month intervals, can help avoid unneeded hospitalizations for patients with heart failure and other chronic conditions.

• Secure sharing and remote reading of patient information such as radiographic images on high speed channels can improve care coordination and reduce the risk of medical errors.

The panel offered a preview of the government’s future role in health care, showing how seniors could interact with health care providers using the latest technology. Outcomes from the hearing include the creation of a position within the Office of the National Coordinator to advance the proliferation of e-Care technologies to address America’s problems with high-cost and inefficient health care delivery.

There was pressure on Don Berwick, the nominee for CMS Administrator, to examine e-Care as a top priority during his nomination proceedings that are set to begin on May 5.

The hearing also focused on how our senior population lacks access to available modern technologies that would help them age in place.  During the hearing, three senators discussed how CMS is an obstacle to modern health care technologies and is fundamentally flawed.

There were also multiple references by the senators and witnesses on broadband and wireless technologies and how they enable the delivery of care to both rural and urban populations.

We’ll continue to keep you posted on any of the latest developments!

Are you following us on Twitter? — Home Evolutions will give you real-time updates when our latest blogs are posted, as well as timely information on Aging-in-Place news from around the country.

The growing marketplace for technology to assist aging adults is attracting a steady stream of new vendors to a market that will exceed $20 billion by 2020, according to the newly updated 2010 report by Aging in Place Technology Watch. The emergence of caregiving as a concern to baby boomers is driving new entrants into the market, according to Laurie M. Orlov, founder of the market research firm.

“At a time when we are seeing so many business opportunities shrinking, this market is poised for steady growth,” said Orlov, in a press release. “With the slowdown in the housing market, growing elder caregiving responsibilities, and emerging technology awareness of service providers means that more people will look for solutions that help older family members. This is a catalyst for innovation and opportunity for both new entrepreneurs and new business opportunities for existing companies.”

The industry projections from Aging in Place Technology Watch are part of the updated market overview report, “2010 Technology Market Overview.” The document updates which technologies matter to inform caregiving and enable aging in place, including categories for communication and engagement, safety and security, health and wellness, and learning and contribution. The report also explains how these tighten the connections between families, caregivers, service providers, and care recipients. Check it out and let us know what you think.

Orlov is the leading industry analyst describing the trends and technologies in the aging in place market at http://www.ageinplacetech.com. Headquartered in Port St. Lucie, Florida, Aging in Place Technology Watch provides thought leadership, analysis and guidance about technologies and related services that enable boomers and seniors to remain longer in their home of choice.

She spent more than 30 years in the technology industry, including 24 years in IT and nine years as a leading industry analyst at Forrester Research. Laurie is a recognized expert advisor to organizations like AARP and her blog is widely referenced and re-published. She regularly speaks at conferences like Aging in America, Connected Health, and the UCLA Conference on Aging.

Are you following us on Twitter? — Home Evolutions will give you real-time updates when our latest blogs are posted, as well as timely information on Aging-in-Place news from around the country.

We are pleased to announce the release of the spring edition of The Forever Home, our quarterly e-newsletter that provides insightful information, valuable advice, and helpful tips about aging-in-place.

Spring is here and as the flowers bloom and the days grow brighter and warmer while buzzing with renewed life, it is a great time to think about renewing your home with modifications and renewing yourself with the possibilities of aging-in-place comfortably, safely, and independently.

With all of this on our minds, we here at Home Evolutions are excited to summarize what interesting articles you will find in this newest edition of The Forever Home—including information about financing, universal design, and of course, about what’s new and exciting in aging-in-place and home modification options.

In this newest issue, you can first read about various programs that may help fund aging-in-place home modifications. A recent article by Lisa Ann Fagan and Cheri Cabrera for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) offers some advice and financial ideas while discussing the following funding possibilities:  insurance coverage of home modifications; federal programs administered at the state or local level; state assistive technology projects; health promotion / fall and injury prevention grants; foundations and organizations; and tax deductions.

The second article discusses a new AARP study revealing that nine out of ten people prefer to age-in-place. These latest research findings come from a recent study conducted by AARP members in New York. AARP commissioned these surveys to examine the opinions of members regarding issues of neighborhood safety, community services, affordable housing, home modification, and transportation. The findings note that seniors who are 55 and older are less likely to move and buy/build new homes and more likely to age-in-place because most of them feel satisfied with their homes and the communities in which they live.

The next article covers another survey conducted by MetLife showing that aging-in-place is an affordable future option for baby boomers. This piece discusses author, Tom Kelly’s description of how rising long-term care costs are fueling the demand for aging-in-place home modifications. The article also describes the MetLife study’s findings that the cost of living in general is still increasing in its traditional manner despite the economic recession. For retirees and seniors who are realizing the reality and limitations of a fixed income, aging-in-place may not only be the best personal choice in one’s golden years, but it may be the most economically sound option as well. The economic and aesthetic benefits of universal design options are also considered.

Our final piece showcases the newest high-tech devices and products that allow caregivers to check on aging family members. The article describes products that were introduced to the commercial market during a recent National Council on Aging and the American Society on Aging conference. One highlight is a new wireless, home monitoring system called “BeClose” that was announced. According to the piece, this new technology will effectively connect caregivers with those who receive care. The BeClose system utilizes unobtrusive, wireless sensors that are placed throughout the home, which then transmit information to a website where caregivers can log in to monitor the daily activities of their loved ones.

We hope that you enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together for you! As always, please feel free to forward our newsletter to your friends and families. We also invite you to email us at hburns@homeevolutions.com with your comments, suggestions, and any story ideas that would help The Forever Home address your interests and better meet your specific needs.