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A recent article by Helen W. Brown discusses some very interesting results of a survey conducted by AARP about female Baby Boomers and their long-term care (LTC) planning.

According to Brown, past research has consistently shown that it is challenging to make people proactive about LTC plans. It is also generally thought that this is especially true of Baby Boomers because this group has historically resisted traditional aging perceptions. Brown explained, “A common belief is that they will live in a society in which prevailing attitudes, demography, economics, and medical advances have made the prospect of growing old in America one that contains previously un-dreamt-of choices of managing chronic illnesses and remaining active and involved in life. This mindset could lead Boomers to believe that they will never have a need for LTC.”

The question was raised whether this was equally true for both male and female Baby Boomers, or if attitudes about LTC planning significantly varied along gender lines. In late September 2008, AARP commissioned an online survey with a nationally representative panel of Boomer women.

These were some of the key findings of that study:

•    More than half of the Boomer women (53%) have not had any experience with caregiving.

•    Over one-third (36%) had provided care or are currently providing care for an aging relative.

•    Those who have been caregivers are twice as likely to have some kind of LTC plan (16%) as those who have not (8%).

•    More than half of respondents (56%) indicated that they did not have any type of LTC plan.

•    Most often, the trusted source of information that Boomer women turn to when making plans for their future health needs or financial security, falls into the category of family and friends (83%).

•    When asked to rank the factors that would most influence them to make and implement an LTC plan, the number one factor was observing the LTC experience of a friend or family member—followed by understanding clearly the available options and then fear of what will happen if no action is taken.

•    More than two-thirds of respondents (65%) indicated they cannot afford the cost associated with LTC planning.

Additionally, a significant number of Boomer women were unaware that Medicare does not cover LTC. In fact, over a quarter of respondents (29%) said they are counting on Medicare to pay for their LTC service needs.

AARP contracted Knowledge Networks, Inc. to conduct this survey during September 3-16, 2008. With a nationally representative panel of 2,898 women aged 50-62, the survey also included over-samples of African American and Hispanic women.

It is never too early to start thinking about and planning for your LTC. Remodeling companies like Home Evolutions can help Baby Boomers and others prepare themselves for their future aging-in-place needs. This can allow you to remain living comfortably, safely, and independently at home for as long as possible. Contact us today for an assessment.

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This week, NBC Nightly News aired a very interesting report about Ablevision on its Making a Difference series.

Ablevision is a Boston-based, national award-winning TV program that is created, shot, recorded, produced, and edited by adults with physical or mental challenges. Most episodes include feature stories that focus on interesting individuals who happen to have a disability or on organizations that support and encourage people to maximize their ability.

NBC reporter, Anne Thompson, asked Ablevision correspondent, Nancy Cofino, what she hoped to convey in her story about Paralympic, sailor gold medalist, Maureen McKinnon-Tucker. “I like showing people that the disabled can do anything,” said Cofino.

Ablevision participants are given roles that are tailored to their skills. Ablevision’s executive producer, Alisa Brugnoli, explained, “We try to put them in roles that they’re going to excel at. So for instance, for someone who can’t see very well, we put them in front of the camera doing the interviewing. If they can’t speak very well, we try to put them behind the cameras or doing the audio. Our whole motto is ‘people with ability,’ so we try to get them to achieve that in any possible way and we don’t exclude anybody.”

For example, since Cofino has poor eyesight, she asks questions to interviewees. Teddy Curpfield uses a unique camera-mount that allows him to shoot video from his wheelchair. Christine Murdocca, who is bipolar, says that her favorite job is in front of the camera. When asked what she likes about being on TV, Murdocca replied, “I feel proud of it and I love seeing myself on TV.” Another participant added that Ablevision helps people enjoy the process of making television and provides positive stories for the viewers. “The strength of Ablevision is the whole crew.”

Brugnoli added that it doesn’t matter what a person’s disability is, anyone can be on Ablevision—they’ll find a job for everyone. She has found that this approach gives participants confidence and a strong sense of achievement. “I find that by giving them a job to do and by giving them a role, that empowers them that much more—even if their job is to pull the curtain, for them, that’s a huge accomplishment.”

“They put together everything,” continued Brugnoli, “they have pride and ownership in this show because it’s theirs—they write the questions, they come up with a lot of the stories, and they run the equipment. They’re so excited to show the world what they can do and to show that there are no limits to what they can do.”

The concept of Ablevision provides pride and the reinforcement of self-worth to all participants. “Pride is celebrated after every shoot and the team is as intrepid as their able-bodied counterparts,” noted Thompson.

Organizers say the goal is to create situations and opportunities for the participants to unlock the abilities within themselves. Brugnoli explained, “Part of our training is showing them that it’s ok to make a mistake—because we can re-edit it and re-shoot it. If they learn that it’s alright even in life to make a few mistakes and that you can get back on your feet, then we’re doing our job and empowering people with disabilities.”

The program airs every other month in 52 broadcast affiliates in Massachusetts, California, Idaho, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, and Virginia. Last year, Ablevision had 60 crew members—quadruple the number it had when it began just five years ago. It has also won a number of national awards including the 2008 and 2009 National Hometown Video Award for Best Access-Able Program and the 2007 Rika Welsh Community Impact Award by the Alliance for Community Media.

Ablevision is currently focused on expanding its national audience by building relationships with more public access affiliates. Brugnoli concluded, “One in six Americans have a disability and yet there’s no programming for them at all. Ablevision, I feel, really fills that void—in that we’re offering quality programming that’s entertaining and educational and showing that we are people with ability.”

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In 2005, the medical school at the University of New England (UNE) in Biddeford, Maine initiated a unique, hands-on program that encouraged and allowed its medical students to experience life as a nursing home patient. The theory behind the program is that if future doctors can better understand how their older patients live and what they go through on a daily basis, then those doctors can better treat and care for older patients because they have truly “walked in their shoes.”

A recent New York Times article by Katie Zezima chronicled Kristen Murphy—a medical student who partook in UNE’s program and lived in a nursing home for ten days.

According to Dr. Marilyn Gugliucci, the director of geriatrics education at UNE medical school, students participating in the program are given a “diagnosis” of an ailment and are expected to live the same way as someone who actually has that condition. “They keep a daily journal chronicling their experiences and, in most cases, debunking their preconceived notions,” she added.

Murphy, who is interested in geriatric medicine as a specialization, lived at a Mamaroneck, New York nursing home in order to experience what it’s like to be a patient there. The perfectly healthy, 38-year-old medical student had to learn the best way to navigate a wheelchair around a small room, endure the humiliation that comes with being helped in the bathroom, try to sleep through night checks, and become attuned to the emotions of her fellow residents.

The first few days at the nursing home included filling out paperwork, undergoing a full-body mole and sore check, eating pureed foods, and being raised out of bed with a lift. But the sometimes overwhelming reality of nursing home life did not fully hit Murphy until she wedged her wheelchair into a corner and could not get out. This particular experiential moment actually left her crying in frustration. She recalled, “All I wanted to do was shut my door and stay in there.”

It is not surprising that the experience emotionally affected Murphy. “At times I felt really lonely and got depressed. Sometimes it was an emotional roller coaster—up and down, up and down.” She continued, “When I came in, I was worried about working with older folks because I was afraid I wouldn’t be good at it. Now, if anything, I’m worried I’ll love them too much and it will really hurt to work with folks at the end of their lives.”

The program had a profound and lasting effect on Murphy, and in the long-term, it will make her a better doctor. She concluded that her time at the nursing home (where she herself ate, slept, and used a wheelchair), finally solidified her desire to work with older people.

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

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We’re proud to announce that Home Evolutions is being prominently featured in a series of AARP’s Aging-in-Place videos on its Web site.

The 3-part series of short video clips showcases Ross and Anna, a couple in their 70s who are making changes to their home so they can age in place. AARP invited me and Patricia Nunan, CEO of Philadelphia-based Lifestyles Design, to visit the home of this couple to make some simple kitchen, bathroom, and home interior/exterior fixes at low-to-no cost.

Seniors should start thinking about making these changes in a home now before they lose their independence. A properly modified home will allow a senior to live in a safe, comfortable home environment while maintaining their independence and quality of life.

In the Kitchen Makeover Video, we made simple changes to the kitchen for a price tag of under $235, including the installation of:

• Cabinet and drawer pulls
• Organizing bins for medication
• Three under-cabinet lights
• Wind-up timer
• Fire extinguisher
• Silicone pot holders and trivets
• Auto shut-off electric teapot

In the Bathroom Makeover Video, we installed these items in the bathroom to make it safe:

• Two grab bars for the bathtub
• One portable grab bar
• Non-slip textured strips for the bathtub
• Handheld shower head with glide bar
• Anti-scald lever shower control
• Single lever handle faucet

Including the services of a handyman for 4 hours of his time, the total cost for these minor modifications was $609.

We always pay close attention to the bathrooms because there are over 200,000 injuries a year in a bathroom, a majority occurring among the senior population. Even with a limited budget, you can still make many minor changes that can decrease the incidence of accidents and injuries.

Another video showcased safety additions to the interior and exterior of the home, such as the adding of hand rails, lever handle door knobs, and step stool.

Take a look at the videos and let us know what you think. We appreciate your feedback.

A living environment for children with autism should pay careful attention to their sensory needs, flexibility, comfort, and dignity. Homes should be designed or modified with Universal Design principles in mind. The Center for Universal Design at NC State University defines universal design as “the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.”

The intent of universal design is to simplify life for everyone by making products, communications, and the built environment more usable by as many people as possible at little or no extra cost. Universal design benefits people of all ages and abilities.

At Home Evolutions, we incorporate Universal Design concepts into every home that we modify because it makes a home safer and more comfortable for anyone, regardless of age, size, or ability. A universally-designed home can help to prevent accidents, increase comfort and safety, and enhance your loved ones’ independence. In addition to making your home more adaptable to their needs, these modifications are seamlessly integrated into the design of the home.

At the 40th National Conference on Autism Spectrum Disorders by the Autism Society of America in July, it was reported that “regardless of the age or background of the residents, dwelling units that are designed around the needs of spectrum populations can promote socialization, empower independence, and uncover hidden human potential.”

The presenters on a Universal Design panel from this conference—architects Rachel Raterman and Javier Esteban, and autism expert Shannon Shelley—discussed how people living with autism have particular sensory needs that must be addressed by the spaces that they inhabit. According to their presentation, “This sensitivity to their needs will enhance their quality of life mentally, physically, and socially. Because of the climbing rate of those with autism, more built facilities are needed to provide a sensitive environment for the wide variety of sensory, social, environmental, behavioral, and communicative needs of those with ASD.”

Finding the right home or properly planning home modifications can help you to maneuver around more safely. While retrofitting a home, or even purchasing a new one with Universal Design principles, can be costly, a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist can sensibly help incorporate these features into your home without breaking the budget or compromising the current beauty of your home.

Below are just some of the essential Universal Design features for your home that can benefit children with autism:

Zero Step Entry. At least one zero step entry makes it easier and safer for children with autism to go in and out of the house. At least one no-step entry to the house either through the front, back, or garage door is recommended.

Wider Doorways. Entryway doors should be at least 32 inches wide and interior doors at least 30 inches wide to allow for ample room for anyone to pass through.

Limit Obstructions. Rooms should be designed so as not to impede passage. Also, avoid high-pile carpeting, area rugs, or flooring that has a slippery surface because they can be trip and fall hazards.

Lever-Style Door Handles. These handles will make it easier for anyone to open and shut your front or back door because it doesn’t require any grasping or twisting to operate.

Covered Entryway. Not only will a covering help protect the porch from precipitation, but yourself as well from rain and snow, preventing potential slips and falls.

Safe Stairs. If you have steps leading up to one of your entryways, and you do not want a zero step entry, at least make sure your handrails are sturdy and in good shape to make it easier for your children to climb up and down.

Level Sidewalk/Driveways. Do you have uneven sidewalks or driveway which can be hazardous to walk on? Leveling them can also prevent future accidents.

Convenient Placements. 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.

Fencing. Some parents of children with autism often will place a fence around their yard to prevent their child from wandering off. The problem is that many communities limit the size of the fence that can be installed, typically four feet, which isn’t a deterrent to some children as they can easily climb over them. However, many of these communities also allow parents to file a variance that would allow them to install a taller fence for medical purposes.

There are many other features associated with Universal Design. Whatever it is that you need, a Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist can help design it for you.

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.