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In 1990, President George Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), potentially the most far-reaching civil rights legislation since the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The ADA prohibits discrimination against Americans with physical and mental disabilities in such areas as employment, public accommodations, and transportation. Official reports on the number of people covered by the law vary widely—somewhere between 14 and 43 million.

On September 11, 2008, the U.S. Senate passed the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (Amendments Act) on a voice vote, restoring Congress’ original intent to the ADA of 1990.

This past Thursday (September 25, 2008), President George W. Bush signed the Amendments Act, which makes important changes to the definition of the term “disability” and rejects the holdings in several Supreme Court decisions and portions of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s ADA regulations. The Amendments Act retains the ADA’s basic definition of “disability” as an impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of such an impairment, or being regarded as having such an impairment. However, it changes the way that these statutory terms should be interpreted in several ways.

The Amendments Act also overturns Supreme Court decisions that have reduced protections for certain people with disabilities who were originally intended to be covered by the ADA—including people with diabetes, epilepsy, heart disease, mental disabilities, and cancer.

Nancy Zirkin, executive vice president of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, recently commented, “…passage of the Amendments Act gives the nation a glimpse of the legislative process at its highest and best. No narrow partisan politics barred the way to reinstating a vulnerable class of people with disabilities who had been excluded by narrow court decisions from the law’s protections—such as those with diabetes, cancer, and bipolar disorder.”

As the recent passing of the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 illustrates, the nation at large and people in general are becoming more and more aware of the special needs and independent rights of persons with disabilities.

Home Evolutions exists to assist people with all levels of need to be able to live safely, comfortably, and independently in their own homes. We also want our website and blog to be helpful hubs of information for these issues and resources for those who have questions and concerns about staying- and aging-in-place.

With rising health care costs, job losses, and an uncertain economy in general, American families are already concerned about retaining their savings, having retirement funds, and helping to pay for their children’s education.  But now, many working families are also faced with additional expenses that they may have never considered—they now realize that they have a fundamental and necessary responsibility to become primary caregivers to their aging parents.  This added time requirement and financial duty have increased the concern and stress levels of families who are already burdened and worried about what the future holds.

In a recent article, experts noted that adults who are coping with an aging parent struggle with a wide range of emotions:  ambivalence, depression, guilt, mixed feelings, resentment, sadness, and even anger.  Sociologist, Roberta Satow, explained the emotional reaction, “No matter how much you love your parents, it’s going to disrupt your life.”

A Gallop poll of 500 baby boomers with living parents showed that over 30% of them are providing financial assistance or personal care assistance to a parent.  The poll also found that nearly half of all those who are providing such help have felt at least some additional stress.

Gail Gibson Hunt, President of the National Alliance for Caregiving, noted that caregivers seem to feel that they are not doing enough, even though they often sacrifice their own jobs as well as their focus on other family members.

The ever-increasing health, physical, and mental difficulties faced by aging parents keep life for their caregiving children unbalanced.  In fact, millions of baby boomers are now finding themselves being direct or indirect caregivers for an aging parent in various stages of need.  And as longevity and life-expectancies increase, the caregiver’s journey can potentially be a stressfully difficult and long commitment which may even require more years than raising a child.

Companies like Home Evolutions offer house renovations, maintenance services, and personal support that can assist caregiving children with their aging parents and possibly alleviate some of their stress and even financial burdens.  Caregiving children have this other choice that they should consider—their aging parents have the option to remain living in their own homes.

As a result, caregivers can find some peace of mind because their parents can continue to live safely and age comfortably in place.  This aging-in-place option can also possibly save caregiving children money, especially when compared to the long-term costs of assisted living and care facilities.

Home Evolutions would like to help you and your aging parents live with less worry and stress.  What are some of your other needs? How we can help alleviate some of your parent’s or loved one’s home care needs?

It’s always in your best interest to be proactive in dealing with your aging in place needs. By being more informed, you’ll be better prepared when your family members or even you will need similar physical or medical services.

South Brunswick seniors will learn more about aging in place this upcoming weekend at an Aging in Place fair. The event, to be held this Saturday, Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., will discuss different facets of the aging process with seniors.

Vendors from different care agencies will be present and various speakers will discuss topics such as “Aging and the Law” and, safety at home and nutrition and exercise. In addition to the lectures, a doctor, lawyer and pharmacist will be available to answer questions free of charge.

According to Christine Wildemuth, director of the South Brunswick Office on Aging, there will also be free blood pressure and blood glucose level screenings will be conducted by St. Peter’s University Hospital Mobile Diagnostic Unit.

Wildemuth went on to say that some people have already signed up for the fair and she’s hoping people will be excited about it because “it gives people an aging alternative they might not have thought possible.”

The event is free and open to South Brunswick seniors only. Registration is suggested. For more information, reservations or to request transportation, call 732-329-4000, Ext. 7670.

I hope to see more communities follow the South Brunswick Office on Aging’s lead and offer aging in place fairs, seminars or other free resources to educate seniors and people with disabilities about staying in their home, increasing their quality of life, and remain independent.

What’s your community doing to educate seniors about aging in place?

Armed with more financial assets than other age groups, seniors most often fall prey to financial exploitation. This has increasingly become a common form of abuse towards seniors. In fact, The National Center on Elder Abuse estimates that there are now about five million cases of senior financial exploitation annually.

The National Association of Adult Protective Services Administrators reports that financial exploitation is the fastest rising category of reports across the country. It has increased by 60.4 percent nationwide over the last seven years.

Financial exploitation is defined as stealing, withholding, or otherwise misusing senior victims’ money, property, or valuables for personal advantage or profit, to the disadvantage of the senior.  The tactics perpetrators use includes deceit, coercion, or intimidation.

Pennsylvania’s attorney general office created an Elder Abuse Unit two years ago to help uncover financial exploitation ranging from telemarketing and home contractor scams to criminal fraud and financial abuse.

With more seniors continuing to seek opportunities to stay in their home, increase their quality of life, and remain independent, the attorney general’s office warns of two home common home contracting scams seniors should be aware of.

Home Repair Fraud—Traveling Group

In this scam, someone knocks on the door claiming that his or her crew is doing work in the neighborhood and noticed the victim’s roof was leaking. They then accompany the resident upstairs—generally to a back room. One of the crew members will distract the victim while another male will squirt water on the ceiling from a squirt ball. They then claim they will be able to fix the roof for a small amount of money, usually $20 to $40. After the alleged work is done they then confront the victim claiming that they put a new roof on and charging up to $3,000. Sometimes they will also remove valuables such as cash or jewelry from the house.

Home Repair Fraud—Local Contractors

In this other popular home repair scam, some unscrupulous contractors will overcharge for work that is done or little or no work is done. Some of these contractors will usually advertise in neighborhood newspapers, while others may solicit door-to-door. These scammers may demand large deposit for materials and then never return.
Take steps to protect yourself.

In the first instance, simply say no and do not let anyone in your home. If they won’t take no for answer, call the police. Always be wary of these door-to-door repair solicitors. More often than not, these people are scammers.

In the second scenario, be careful of people who want all the money before the work has been completed. If you do need repairs done, never allow anyone to rush you into a deal. Also, never pay in cash.

As we mentioned in a previous post, always be careful when selecting a home repair or home modifications company. First, make sure that your contractor is licensed. If you decide to hire a contractor for modifications, check with your state’s housing commission to make sure that contractor is licensed.

Secondly, always look for companies that are Certified Aging-In-Place Specialists (CAPS), like Home Evolutions.

What other steps can you take to protect yourself from home improvement fraud?

I found this to be a heartwarming piece of a community coming together to help one another. After extensive research and planning, Polly Brown of Vineyard Haven started Vineyard Village at Home (VVAH) to empower seniors to enjoy a vibrant, at-home lifestyle supported by direct access to vital resources and services. The VVAH Web site calls it a concierge-style convenience and care to help seniors enjoy life to the fullest.

By paying a yearly membership fee ($900 per individual, $1,200 per family), this program entitles seniors and people with disabilities with quick response from various volunteers and service providers at either a discounted or competitive price.

The group’s mission is to help older Vineyarders continue to live in their own homes by providing them access to a wide range of volunteer, household, health, social, and professional services that will ensure their safety and comfort.

According to the article, the VVAH, which began operating in January, now has 27 members aged 63 to 100, and a list of 39 on-call volunteer drivers and 51 professional service providers from plumbers to electricians, to caterers and hairdressers.

Many of these service providers have offered significant discounts to people who wish to age-in-place. Some of the services available include plumbing and electrical work, health care, companionship, meal preparation, and financial assistance.

Also included among the service providers are a yoga instructor, an acupuncturist, a clutter and organizing consultant, housepainters, handymen, and even a professional pharmacist.  These service providers agree to respond to calls promptly and perform projects at a discounted rate. Some services are available at no cost to the homeowner.

How it works is that members just call one number when they some assistance and the VVAH matches the homeowner with the proper service provider. Although there is an annual membership fee, the VVHA offers “scholarships” to those who cannot afford it.

Hopefully, we’ll continue to see more communities follow this model and help more people live independently and age-in-place.

What kind of services do you find yourself in need of to allow you to continue living independently?