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A recent article discusses a new program that is designed to help veterans age-in-place. The newly-announced nationwide grant program is partnering with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as well as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide assistance to disabled older Americans and veterans who want to age at home for as long as possible.

With independence being the main goal, the program is designed to help the families of older Americans and veterans with disabilities of all ages care for their loved ones in the community.

According to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, this partnership is a landmark collaboration between the two agencies and is based on the similar missions of HHS and the VA with regard to caring for the populations they serve. Both representatives have the ultimate goal of establishing a nationwide home and community-based, long-term care, support program to serve older Americans and veterans of all ages.

Sebelius described the program, “This HHS/VA initiative combines the hands-on experience and skills of HHS’ national network of aging and community-based organizations with the commitment and resources of VA’s Veterans Health Administration to provide more people (particularly our nation’s veterans) with additional opportunities to remain independent.”

With an initial $10 million in funding, this innovative partnership will implement the Veteran Directed Home & Community Based Service (VDHCBS) program through HHS’ Aging and Human Services Network, in coordination with the Administration on Aging’s (AoA) Community Living Program (CLP), which helps the family caregivers of individuals with an ongoing need to keep their loved ones at home.

“Through this collaboration, many adults and veterans who would have previously been placed in nursing homes will be able to remain with their loved ones. This is another significant way America can recognize and care for the individuals who have cared for us,” Sebelius added.

Participants are allowed to direct their own care under both programs, including having control over the types of services they receive and the manner in which they are provided. One of the more significant provisions of the program allows beneficiaries the option of hiring their neighbors, friends, and even some family members to provide needed services.

“This collaboration provides an opportunity to serve our nation’s veterans by offering more long-term care, more choices and control over decisions, and by helping veterans to remain in their homes, supported by family and community,” noted Shinseki.

Under the collaboration, HHS’ national network of aging and community-based organizations will work in close collaboration with the VA Medical Centers across the country to continue to develop and expand VDHCBS for veterans. In addition, the CLP, led by AoA, will help states and communities to assist individuals who are at risk of nursing home placement but who are not Medicaid-eligible to remain at home.

Various State Units on Aging are expected to apply for the program before the close of applications on August 3, 2009. Part of the process includes the submission of a letter of intent before July 1, 2009. The program’s projected start date is September 30, 2009.

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.

It seems like more and more home tours these days are featuring universal design homes as part of the tour. This gives potential homeowners the opportunity to see just some of the ways that a universal design home can allow them to age in place.

Even if you are not looking to buy a new home, I highly recommend going on one of these tours that has a universally designed home to get an idea of what can be done with universal design. Remember, even if you’re not in the market, you can modify your home with universal design. By going on a tour, you can see what you like or dislike.

This past weekend in Owensboro, Kentucky, visitors at a local “Parade of Homes” were able to explore a universal design home at the 51st annual Owensboro Parade of Homes, sponsored by the Home Builders Association of Owensboro.

Those touring the two-story home at 3161 Spring Ridge Parkway, built by Martin Custom Building, were able to see how a home can be built or remodeled using universal design features. For instance, they got to see a walk-through shower in the master bedroom.

Another home on the tour also featured universal design aspects. Built by Homes By Benny Clark, this universal designed home has no steps (zero-step entry), no thresholds, wide door openings, microwave and dishwasher drawers, hand-held shower heads and knee space beneath cooktops and sinks.

According to the article, Clark described the home as being a “house for the future. The home’s design makes it is easily accessible for seniors and people with disabilities.”

One of the visitors, Ruth Brown, who lives nearby, visited this particular home because  her family is considering building a home, and her daughter, an occupational therapist, recommended a universal design.

Other people, like Ashley Bruner and Jason English of Owensboro, aren’t looking to build a home—but Bruner wanted to get ideas for the future as they begin to age. That’s something that we recommend that you do the next time there’s a home tour in your neck of the woods.

Are you following us on Twitter? We’ll 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 part of a national movement to promote Aging-in-Place initiatives, four communities across the country are hosting workshops this month, bringing experts together for discussions aimed at helping seniors remain in their communities.

Attendees also will learn how to apply for “JumpStart the Conversation” grants designed to help local organizations bring innovative ideas to life. The workshops are sponsored by MetLife Foundation, Partners for Livable Communities (Partners), and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a).

The events taking place during the month of June include:
• San Antonio, Texas — June 11, Redesigning Communities for Aging in Place
• Richmond, Virginia — June 17, Engaging Community Leaders in the Process
• Wichita, Kansas — June 23, Revitalizing Communities for All Generations
• Chattanooga, Tennessee — June 30, Building Partnerships

The workshops identify strategies for improving livability for those of all ages through: partnership building, community redesign, and intergenerational connections. Local discussions complement the national conversation on aging and highlight the creative work being done to make communities first-rate areas for all ages.

According to the 2006 survey, “The Maturing of America — Getting Communities on Track for an Aging Population,” a report led by n4a, Partners, the International City-County Management Association, the National Association of Counties, and the National League of Cities and funded by MetLife Foundation, only 46% of American communities have begun planning to address the needs of the exploding population of aging Baby Boomers. The first Boomers reached age 60 in 2006 and will be 65 in 2011. This rapidly aging population will hit its peak in 2030 when the number of people over age 65 in the United States will soar to 71.5 million, double the figure for 2000, or one in every five Americans.

“JumpStart the Conversation” grants allow area organizations to take local action on Aging-in-Place initiatives. In each region holding workshops, nine grants of $1,000 and one grant of $2,500 will be awarded to support innovative ideas tailored to the community. Although applicants do not have to attend to be eligible for a grant, the workshops are meant to be a catalyst for action and to stimulate participants to begin considering their community’s specific needs.

Previous workshops have taken place in Tampa Bay, Phoenix, Kansas City, Chicago, San Diego, Charlotte, Miami, and most recently, in St. Louis. They have resulted in grant awards for such innovative projects as:

• La Mesa Park and Recreation Foundation in San Diego — spearheaded a group drumming project for older adults and youth, providing an opportunity for all to learn about rhythm and movement and to reinforce the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle that can be shared by all.

• The Miami Behavioral Health Center — promoted a “Mobility Maps” program to seniors in the Miami-Dade area that alerts seniors to different transportation options based on specific transportation needs.

• Pinal-Gila Council for Senior Citizens in Arizona — developed new business partnerships with the 13 Chamber of Commerce organizations in the two-county area with the goal of creating age-appropriate jobs for older adult workers.

•Thomas J. Brown, Jr. Foundation, Inc. of Kansas City — recruited skilled professionals with experience in minor interior and exterior home repair and lawn maintenance to help older adults remain in their homes and neighborhoods as long as possible.

For more information on Aging-in-Place initiatives, upcoming workshops, and “JumpStart” grant recipients, visit www.aginginplaceinitiative.org.

Once you have made the decision to age-in-place, the next step for many seniors and people with disabilities is determining exactly what one needs to do in order to remain living comfortably and safely in one’s own home.

Many people will decide to remodel their existing homes using a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) like Home Evolutions. Some may even decide to build or purchase an entirely new home that better suits their aging-in-place needs.

Whatever option you decide will best help you to continue living independently, a recent article recommends seven things that you should always keep in mind for your aging-in-place residence.

1)    Canes, Walkers, and Wheelchairs—Finding the right home or properly planning home modifications can help you to maneuver around more safely.

•    Entrance doors should be at least 36″ wide and interior doors should be a minimum of 32″ wide for wheelchair and walker access.

•    Rooms should be designed so as not to impede passage.

•    Avoid high-pile carpeting, area rugs, or flooring that has a slippery surface because they can be trip and fall hazards.

2)    Balance and Standing—As people grow older, physical issues caused by lack of muscle strength, equilibrium, and other conditions begin to appear. Two areas to especially consider where standing occurs regularly are bathrooms and kitchens.

•    Ensure that these rooms have sufficient space and are designed with grab bars in mind.

•    Make sure that these rooms’ space allows for turning if roll-under sinks are installed.

•    Build counters at the proper height in these areas.

•    Ensure that there are ample places for chairs or benches.

3)    Bending and Reaching—Keep as many things needed for your daily life within as easy reach as possible. Areas of the home that are more prone for this to be an issue include the kitchen, laundry room, and bedrooms (especially closets).

•    Make sure there are sufficient cabinets at the proper height and enough counter space to reduce bending and reaching.

•    Consider installing under cabinet, roll-out shelves or pull-down shelves.

•    Make sure that closets are sufficiently sized for closet organizing systems.

4)    Reduced Hearing—When remodeling or buying, keep in mind that older people have a more difficult time hearing phone ringers, doorbells, and alarms of any kind.

•    Make sure that there are sufficient telephone jacks in the house. (All commonly used rooms should have them—the closer the ring, the more likely it is to be heard.)

•    Install smoke and CO2 alarms in the proper rooms. (You can also replace older models with ones that have visual indicators or louder alarms.)

•    Voices through doors are difficult to hear, so having a window in or near entrance doors is a good idea and very important for safety.

5)    Grasping and Holding Items—Opening drawers or doors, holding items that may be heavy, and any fixtures that require holding and turning to operate need to be given thought.

•    Install cabinet drawers and doors that have “D” shaped handles.

•    Install door knobs that are lever-handled.

•    Make sure there are sufficient flat spaces such as counter tops as well as tables or benches in areas where you will be working or where you may have to juggle or carry loads while performing a task.

•    Install faucets with lever handles.

6)    Eyesight—Diminished eyesight can hinder a person from getting around in their home, using appliances, and make everyday tasks more difficult.

•    Ensure that there is sufficient light in every room and work area. Installing proper or additional lighting is one of the best (and most inexpensive) things you can do for yourself if you have difficulty seeing.

•    Make sure floor transitions are easily distinguishable. Having contrasting colors at floor transitions will make them easier to see.

•    Install appliances that have large displays or text. Choosing models that do will make doing chores much easier and reduce the chance of errors.

7)    Sitting and Lying Down—For the same reasons mentioned in Balance and Standing, sitting and lying down safely (and getting back up again) can be issues for seniors and people with disabilities.

•    Make sure your home has plenty of open space where couches or chairs can be added to accommodate assistive devices (like walkers) needed for safely sitting and standing.

•    Make sure there is sufficient space in your bedroom to enter or exit a bed if you are using a walker. Also consider bed safety rails.

•    Design bathrooms to allow for the installation of grab bars.

•    You can also consult with your physician or occupational therapist to discuss your options for walking, sitting, or standing assistance.

Remember, it may not be easy to find, build, or remodel the exact home that will meet all of your future, aging-in-place needs. However, covering the bases for what most people experience as they age is a good place to start. An aging-in-place remodeler like Home Evolutions can help you choose the renovations and additions that are right for you.

Regardless of whether you remodel, buy, or build, the above suggestions are all possible issues that you should be mindful of when evaluating the aging-in-place features of your home. This list is by no means all inclusive, but merely a few general conditions to help get you thinking in the right direction.

Of the seven tips presented here, which ones specifically would help you to remain living comfortably, safely, and independently at home?

In one of our previous blogs we discussed innovative and new technologies that can assist you with your aging-in-place plans. These included gadgets like motion sensors, pneumatic tubes that measure weight shifts, smart carpets, talking pill boxes, and even robotic companion pets.

But there is one piece of technology that, although it has become extremely commonplace, it’s perhaps the most highly effective and integral piece of equipment that can help seniors and people with disabilities remain living comfortably and safely in their own homes—the cell phone.

The cell phone is still the most basic, high-tech gadget that can greatly enhance your independence, not to mention being a constant and reliable lifeline to loved ones, healthcare contacts, and emergency services.

Since their invention, cell phones have advanced in size, clarity, range, battery life, and helpful applications. And recently, cell phones have even begun to be intentionally designed with seniors in mind. In fact, companies like Jitterbug offer cell phones and services specifically for seniors and their unique needs.

Clarity’s ClarityLife C900 is one of the newest cell phones designed especially for seniors, and it highlights some of the best ‘senior-friendly’ functions and most advanced technology available.

In addition to the C900, Clarity also offers a wide range of home phones and phone amplifiers for people with hearing impairments. But their new cell phone offers a wide variety of features that make using it simple and easy. For example, it only has four buttons, an easy-to-read display, and it is two times louder than normal cell phones.

As the first wave of the next generation of cell phones for seniors and people with disabilities, you’ll notice some other distinct differences on the C900 right away:

•    Very large back-lit display;
•    Amplification up to 20 decibels;
•    A big, red, emergency button;
•    Flashing ringer;
•    Super-strong vibration ring;
•    Text messaging compatible.

The C900 is also unlocked, which means you can take it to most major service providers and have it easily activated. For more information about the ClarityLife C900 or other Clarity products, please visit their website at:  www.clarityproducts.com.

Companies like Home Evolutions can remodel residences while incorporating many new technologies that can greatly facilitate aging-in-place. But always try to keep in mind the tools you may have access to now that can also help you remain living comfortably, safely, and independently at home.

Are there other technologies like cell phones that you currently have which can help you or a loved one continue to age-in-place?