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Housing Tips

Resistant Parents Moving to a Senior Living Community

Housing Tips

Helping Parents Resisting A Move to Senior Living

by Jeff Dailey April 5, 2016

written by Jeff Dailey

Helping Parents Resisting A Move to Senior Living

Three dos: Helping Parents Resisting A Move to Senior Living

Understand their perspective. Moving can be frightening. Remember when you first moved away to college or a new city? For aging parents, moving to a senior living community is a big change and an even bigger step out of their comfort zone. By empathizing with their situation, you are better able to approach the experience from their perspective. Moving to a Senior Living Community and Dealing Resistant Parents
Emphasize your aging loved ones’ health. Make it readily known that the well being of your aging parent is your top priority. If you are concerned about his or her health, eating habits, or social interactions, reiterate your intentions and focus on the positive benefits a move to a senior living community can have on his or her quality of life.
Find a place that fits. Research. Research. Research. One of the most important aspects of helping an aging parent move from his or her current home to a retirement community is making the move appealing. Maybe your parent is looking for a place with plenty of activities and events or perhaps he or she will not consider moving to a community without a beautiful garden and plenty of walking space. Consider these important factors for your parent when researching senior living options. After researching and identifying a senior living community your parent is interested in, plan a visit and ask as many questions during the visit and tour as it takes for your parent to feel comfortable.

Three don’ts:

Be negative. Your parent will be less than enthused about a potential move to a senior living community if your focus is on the negative reasons for the move. Emphasize this is an opportunity to make new friends, instead of focusing on how the community may be in a different neighborhood than his or her current home. Remind your aging parent or loved one that he or she will have chef-prepared meals, instead of criticizing his or her current eating habits. Focusing on the positive aspects of a retirement community move is a great way to reframe the conversation.
Make quick decisions. It is important to start the conversation about moving to a senior living community early. A gradual adjustment to a new reality is always better than a rushed decision. Give your aging loved one plenty of time to acclimate him or herself to the possibility of moving to a new home. While the process may take longer, you will find the experience much more enjoyable for your aging loved one.
Go unsupported. Helping your aging parent move to a senior living community is a team effort. Whether you enlist the help of your siblings, extended family members, or friends, display a united front to let your aging parent know everyone he or she cares about also cares about him or her. Have any of your aging parent’s friends recently moved to a senior living community? Use their experience to display senior living in a positive light with a personal touch.

If your aging loved one is not immediately open to a senior living community move, it does not mean he or she will never embrace the idea, it just may take a little bit more time to assuage concerns. Above all, you want your aging loved one to know you are acting with his or her best health and interests in mind.

Author Brian Fawkes

April 5, 2016 0 comment

Housing Tips

Three Ways Senior Living Gives You Greater Independence

by Jeff Dailey April 1, 2016

written by Jeff Dailey

Three Ways Senior Living Gives You Greater Independence

As you consider moving into a senior living community, you’re probably concerned that your independence is at risk. Well, you don’t have to worry. Senior living isn’t about taking away your freedom to live how you want. In fact, it’s actually about providing you more opportunities to experience your ideal post-retirement life. Check out these three ways senior living gives you greater independence.

1. Better Food — Without The Hassle

Think about all the time and energy you spend taking care of three meals a day. It’s not easy. A senior living community takes that burden off your shoulders by providing multiple healthy dining options at every meal — not only giving you great choices, but also, freeing up your schedule.

2. Comfortable Living — Without The Chores

When you think about independence, cleaning and doing yard work probably aren’t very high on your to-do list. Independence should be about making decisions with what to do with your day, not being chained down by home maintenance. Senior living takes that off your plate, so you can spend more time doing what you want.

3. More Opportunities — Without Any Obligation

The post-retirement life doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, it shouldn’t be! Senior living provides regular activity programming that gives you plenty of choices every day to continue pursuing lifelong interests or find new ones. How much or how little you participate is completely up to you.
A common misconception about senior living is that it restricts your post-retirement life. In reality, senior living focuses on taking care of the unwieldy aspects that do restrict it. The end result is more flexibility to transform your lifestyle into exactly what you want. So why wait? Learn more about senior living at Holiday Retirement communities here.
by Bidnam Lee

April 1, 2016 0 comment

Housing Tips

Home Energy Makeover

by Jeff Dailey April 1, 2016

written by Jeff Dailey

Home Energy Makeover

As the seasons change, turn over a new leaf and give your home an energy makeover. You can improve your home’s comfort while helping the environment by making your home more energy efficient, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In addition, a variety of compatible technologies are available to help manage your home’s comfort systems more efficiently and economically. Here are some tips to get you started.
Schedule an overall home energy audit: How does your energy use at home measure up? Annual analysis of home energy efficiency can save you money in the long run and ensure your home runs smoothly. A certified energy auditor will complete an energy analysis of your home by measuring windows and checking insulation, ductwork and building materials. You can identify local certified professional energy assessment services through Residential Energy Services Network. Taking five minutes with energy bills at hand, you can also input your information online at Home Energy Yardstick by Energy Star to receive a topline home energy analysis. –
Improve comfort while staying efficient: Up to 72 trillion allergens find their way into your home every day. Not only can dirty air make your family less comfortable, but it can also pose problems for how efficiently your systems continue to work. By installing a reliable indoor air cleaner, you can remove irritating particles such as dust, pollen, pet hair and dander, dust mites, mildew, lint, fungus and bacteria, which can slow the performance of your overall heating and cooling system. For example, an energy-efficient model, such as the AccuClean from American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning, an Ingersoll Rand brand, removes up to 99.98 percent of allergens down to 0.1 micron in size, making it 100 times more effective than a standard one-inch throwaway filter.
Adjust your thermostat: Another way to manage home energy is to simply adjust your thermostat. For every degree you raise your thermostat in the summer, you can cut cooling costs up to 6 percent, and for every degree you lower your thermostat in the winter, you can save about 3 percent. (Potential energy savings may vary, depending on such factors as your lifestyle, system settings, equipment maintenance, local climate, equipment and duct systems.) A programmable thermostat is loaded with a multitude of built-in sensors, reminders and alerts, and it allows you to program as many as four energy-saving schedules for every day of the week, to reduce energy consumption up to 15 percent.-
Manage energy efficiency from anywhere, even while you’re away: For the ultimate in convenience, you can even monitor and adjust your home’s ecosystem from anywhere using most Web-enabled mobile devices. For instance, Nexia Home Intelligence, also a brand of Ingersoll Rand, combines wireless technology with simple Web access. You can use it to reduce energy consumption and costs by putting your heating and cooling system into an energy savings mode while you’re not there, plus control numerous other functions to manage the comfort, safety and efficiency of your home while you’re away.
Choose energy efficient products: If you’re looking for new energy-efficient products such as doors, heating and cooling systems and windows, ensure they are labeled with the Energy Star designation. The EPA’s Energy Star program was created to reduce the nation’s energy consumption. For more information on reducing energy use, visit www.epa.gov/greenhomes/ReduceEnergy.htm.
By taking steps to give your home an energy makeover, you’ll not only keep your family more comfortable, but you’ll also save money by streamlining home operations – so you can spend more time enjoying the seasons.
Provided by: Brandpoint

April 1, 2016 0 comment

Housing Tips

Simple Steps to Help Homeowners Ease into Spring Projects

by Jeff Dailey March 31, 2016

written by Jeff Dailey

Simple Steps to Help Homeowners Ease into Spring Projects

Now, while the winter is still around, is the best time for homeowners to get a jump start on planning and prepping for their spring and summer home and garden projects; so when the weather really does warm up, it takes little effort to get the projects underway. In addition to fine-tuning home improvement and gardening plans, it is also a good idea to make certain the required tools are in tip-top shape, so the projects are not delayed.
Here are some ways to prepare for the spring and summer seasons with just a few simple steps:
* Plans – Sketch out those garden plans, and pick the plants that can be purchased or grown from seed. Plans don’t need to be drawn to scale, but they’ll provide great background information for a shopping list. Research how early seedlings should be started, so they’ll be ready for transplant when the time arrives.
Also create plans for any home projects that need to be accomplished. The depth of those plans depends on how complicated the project is. Make certain all permits are in order, if required by the community; and if a contractor is needed, a formal agreement and timeline is in place prior to work commencing.
* Lawn tools – Check pruning shears for sharp blades – and either sharpen or replace them if they don’t easily cut through a small stem of plant material. Also, review lawn mower blades. Check the oil, gasoline and starters on all gardening machinery to ensure they’ll run correctly when needed.
* House tools – A review of all home tools helps to determine if any new purchases – or replacements are needed. This is the perfect time to head to the store and purchase missing tools, add new blades to saws or replenish the sandpaper stash – eliminating wasted time running back and forth to the store.
* Hand tools – A little care can go a long way in keeping your hands and feet – the most valuable tools found in every household – in good shape after the long, dry winter months. These tools are vital to accomplishing everything on those garden and home project lists, and they are often forgotten. O’Keeffe’s Working Hands and O’Keeffe’s for Healthy Feet are both guaranteed to effectively relieve dry, cracked skin in even the most extreme cases. And just a little bit of the highly concentrated, hypoallergenic and odorless creams is needed. Start every project off with healthy hands, and keep them that way throughout the entire season of projects. It’s the best cream for dry hands – especially after the long and dry winter months.
* Materials – As the project season gets closer, start purchasing the materials needed ahead of time. This helps to spread the cost out, and can give an idea of how much time and effort the project will take to be completed. Get started now in matching colors, finding the perfect accessories and even price-comparing between different suppliers to help save money.
For homeowners who haven’t experienced the warm-weather-project itch quite yet, it’s still a good idea to start thinking about those items on to-do lists to help with being prepared and ready to go when the season arrives. It doesn’t take a lot of energy to have a successful spring and summer project season. Don’t forget O’Keeffe’s Working Hands and O’Keeffe’s for Healthy Feet to keep hands and feet in healthy shape to tackle any job.

Provided by: ARA

March 31, 2016 0 comment

Housing Tips

Carpet Cleaning Tips � How To Maintain Your Carpet After A Professional Clean

by Jeff Dailey March 30, 2016

written by Jeff Dailey

Some people will call a cleaning company in London every month or so to send their professional cleaners to come into their home and perform carpet cleaning in order to ensure that the carpet always remains spotless.
Unfortunately not everyone can afford this type of luxury and some people will only hire a carpet cleaning service once or twice a year at most.
For these people though there is an alternative way to ensure that their carpets always look their very best, which involves regularly maintaining your carpet in between visits from the professional carpet cleaners London.
Vacuum Cleaning
The most important thing to do is to vacuum clean your carpet on a regular basis. This is enough to remove any loose dirt and dust, but make sure that you vacuum the corners of the carpets with a narrow hose attachment, and don�t ignore underneath the furniture or the dust build up on the skirting boards.
Removing Odours
You can remove bad smells from your carpet quite easily. Household smells are often locked into the fibres of your carpet, but putting a bowl of vinegar in the room somewhere discreet can neutralise the smells.
If you have an open box of baking soda you can sprinkle some over the carpet and leave it overnight to absorb the smell, then simply vacuum carpet the following morning.
Getting Rid Of Dents
If you fancied a bit of a swap around of your furniture, but you�re left with indentations in the carpet from the legs, you can level it out again by melting an ice cube into the dent, waiting for it to dry naturally and then vacuuming.
By performing these simple carpet cleaning tips you can make your clean carpet last longer between professional cleaning.
articlecity.com

March 30, 2016 0 comment

Aging in Place Solutions for Suburban Older Adults

Housing Tips

Retirees embrace ways to stay put, age in place

by Jeff Dailey March 20, 2016

written by Jeff Dailey

Retirees embrace ways to stay put, age in place

Although some people want to move to a warmer climate or exotic locale in retirement, for most folks, their current home is where their heart is.
They want to age in place, continuing to live in their home or at least in the same community. And they’re not afraid to remodel and try new technologies to make that happen, new research shows. They’d even be willing to have a cleaning robot or heated driveway.
The vast majority of people age 50 and older want to stay in their homes and communities for as long as possible, AARP data show. The group has expanded the definition of aging in place to include people either remaining in their own home or staying in the same community in other possible housing options, says Rodney Harrell, director of Livable Communities in AARP’s Public Policy Institute.
“There is something deeply nourishing about our homes, and people become increasingly appreciative of that emotional connection as they get older,” says gerontologist Ken Dychtwald, CEO of Age Wave. “It’s a rich emotional nest.”
Many people want to stay in their home “because they are most comfortable with what is most familiar,” agrees psychologist Mary Languirand, co-author of How to Age in Place, written with her husband, Robert Bornstein. “People are going to do whatever they can to maintain that sense of comfort. That is the ideal place in a lot of people’s minds.”
And they are willing to try technology. The Merrill Lynch-Age Wave survey found:
• 80% of retirees are interested in new technologies to reduce their home expenses, such as smart thermostats or apps to control appliances.
• 76% are interested in technologies to monitor their health at home, such as sensors, alerts or medication reminder apps.
• 67% are interested in home technologies to help them optimize their health, such as devices for air purification or to improve sleep.
• 58% are interested in technologies to help them maintain their home, such as cleaning robots or heated driveways.
In homes of the future there may be cleaning robots, thermostats that go up and down as you go in and out of rooms, alerts to take your medication or go to your doctors’ appointments, Dychtwald says. “There may be homes that can be reshaped and remodeled to accommodate visitors or guests. Imagine walls moving and desks disappearing and trundle beds coming out when the grandkids come.”
Dychtwald says 52% of people over the age of 75 live alone, and there will be more technologies that let adult children know if a parent slips or needs help. “Technology can help people keep an eye on mom or dad.”
“The good news is that all of these breakthroughs are on the drawing board or already available, but they are waiting for the market to take more full advantage of them,” he says.
New technology is a huge boon for people who want to continue to live in their home, Languirand agrees. “The smart-home concepts are wonderful because there are so many functions of the home that can be programmed and made automatic. Help is often one button push away so you are never really out of touch. It helps people feel more secure.”
She says many age-in-place concepts could be useful to people of all ages, such as easy-to-operate window hardware; easy-to-read, programmable thermostats; lighting fixtures that make rooms brighter; low-maintenance exteriors and anti-scald devices on showers.
As people get older, they should continue to evaluate their situation, she says. They may need ramps to make their homes wheelchair-accessible, wider doorways, grab bars and shower seats in bathrooms to prevent falls, she says.
Harrell says technological advancements can help make up for the fact that most homes are not designed for aging.
“High-quality Internet access is an essential component of many of these technologies, and when we looked at older adults, we found that those with low incomes, those who lived in rural areas, and those who did not drive were less likely to have access than their counterparts,” he says. “If people don’t have adequate Internet access, they may miss out on the advantages that technology can provide.”
AARP has a home guide with dozens of suggestions to help you live as long as possible in your current house, Harrell says. Those include making sure that area rugs have non-slip grips to prevent tripping and slipping; having an entrance door that’s easy to unlock and lock,
open and close and automatic night-lights plugged into outlets near steps and staircases.
By Nancy Hellmich in USA Today

March 20, 2016 0 comment

Housing Tips

Guide for Touring Assisted Living Facilities

by Kimberly Johnson March 11, 2016

written by Kimberly Johnson

Guide for Touring Assisted Living Facilities

It is a huge responsibility to find the right assisted living facility for your loved one or yourself. It’s one of the most important decisions you will make in your life. This guide will help you discern the differences between communities and the type of care being offered. The decision of “if, when and where to move” is ultimately your choice, so consider what factors are ultimately important to you.
TIP #1: OBSERVE THE LEVEL OF CLEANLINESS & FOLLOW YOUR NOSE
Does the community feel fresh and clean? Make sure to look past the furnishings and into corners, baseboards and windows. Ask how often housekeeping is provided in your personal living space. Make sure you get full details on the types of maintenance provided and the estimated response times. Don’t forget to ask about laundry procedures. Ask for specifics on what is available and at what cost.
Odors in the property may indicate a lack of cleanliness or a temporary problem. If you find smells concentrated to one area on your tour this most likely indicates a single, recent incident. Odors throughout the community most likely indicate a bigger problem. Always ask the manager what they think might be causing the problem.
TIP #2: VISIT DURING AN ACTIVITY
It’s a good idea to try and schedule your tour in conjunction with any community events. Ask the manager if you can watch the activities or
even participate. Are the activities and events well attended? Does the staff seem to be enjoying the activity as well? Take a look at the community calendar of events. Do they match your or your loved one’s interests? Do the events and activities vary in size and type? Do they include trips and outings away from the community? If it is important to you and your family, don’t forget to inquire about religious services.
TIP #3: PAY ATTENTION TO STAFF FRIENDLINESS
The attitude and friendliness of the staff are of the utmost importance. Make sure that you observe several staff members interacting with current residents. Do they listen and make eye contact? Make sure to get a good understanding of the staffing pattern. How many people are actually involved in residents’ care? Make sure you get an introduction to the management team. This will help you understand the goals of the property. It is important that you have confidence in the property’s staff.
TIP #4: VISIT THE OUTDOOR AREAS
Everyone wants to be able to enjoy a nice sunny day outdoors. While visiting communities make sure to investigate the outdoor areas that are available to residents. Does the area feel safe and secure? Does the property house outdoor activities in these areas? Does the staff use the same area for their personal breaks?
TIP #5: EAT A MEAL AT THE PROPERTY
As with most of us, the dining room experience is very important to seniors. When visiting communities it is important to discuss entree choices and learn about dining hours, options and procedures. Make sure you and your loved one enjoy a meal at the property. Not only is it a great way to sample the cuisine, but it also opens up a great opportunity to meet some of the residents. Discuss what happens if a resident is unable to make it to the dining room for a meal.
TIP #6: ASK SECURITY & SAFETY QUESTIONS
Safety and security features are very important for the senior and offer peace of mind for the caregiver. Make sure that bathrooms are accessible and have grab bars in convenient locations. Ask how residents contact staff if they have an emergency in their living area. Find out about other safety features available in living quarters and throughout the community. Make sure you find out about staffing patterns to determine who is on-site at all times to assist residents. Are there registered nurses on site? How do staffing patterns differ at night? How does the community assist or manage residents’ medication needs? Don’t forget to ask specific questions about any other medical needs that must be met for you or your loved one.
TIP #7: ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT PERSONAL CARE
As you go through the tour process make sure you ask a lot of questions about personal care. Discuss bathing options and bathing preferences. It’s a great idea to observe the current residents while visiting communities. Are they clean shaven with well-groomed hair and nails? Are the residents dressed appropriately? Make sure to take into consideration what activities they are involved in and the current weather. Does the staff treat residents with dignity, respect and a smile?
TIP #8: GET FEEDBACK FROM RESIDENTS & FAMILIES
Ask residents and families, past and present, for their honest opinions about the community. Many communities have a resident council that will be happy to answer any of your questions. A Place for Mom and SeniorAdvisor.com have more than 40,000 reviews and ratings from families who have shared their impressions and rated individual communities.
TIP #9: ASK ABOUT MOVE-OUT CRITERIA
Most people do not enjoy moving multiple times and seniors are no different. Ask about specific move-out criteria. Under what circumstances is a resident asked to move out of the community? What type of notice does the resident or caregiver need to give the staff? In many instances a 30-day notice may be required by the property.
TIP #10: TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS
As you are touring make sure you think about yourself or your loved one actually living at the community. Do you imagine you or your loved one being comfortable? Do you feel at ease? Are the staff and residents open, inviting and friendly? Always remember to follow your instincts and your heart!
www.aplaceformom.com

March 11, 2016 0 comment

Housing Tips

Smoke Alarms Save Lives

by Kimberly Johnson February 29, 2016

written by Kimberly Johnson

Smoke Alarms Save Lives
Smoke alarms save lives. Yet, every day in homes across the U.S., fire deaths still occur. By ensuring that you have working smoke alarms, you can cut your risk of perishing in a home fire by half, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
“Nearly 3,000 people continue to die in fires each year, with most of those deaths occurring in homes,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s vice president of Outreach and Advocacy. “The vast majority of home fire deaths are preventable, and working smoke alarms play a big role in helping reduce those numbers.”
This is why the theme for NFPA’s Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 5 – 11) is “Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives: Test Yours Every Month!”
“Smoke alarms can make a life-saving difference in a fire, but they need to be working,” said Carli. “Unfortunately, many home fire deaths result from fires where a smoke alarm is present but does not operate. This year, we’re trying to motivate people to test their smoke alarms each month to make sure they’re working properly.”
Since these small, unobtrusive, but life-saving devices have become such a fixture in homes across the country, it’s easy to take for granted that they work properly. The following tips on testing your smoke alarms and other guidelines will help protect you and your family:

There should be at least one smoke alarm on every level of the home (including the basement), outside all sleeping areas and in every bedroom.
For smoke alarms that include a 10-year non-replaceable battery, replace the entire smoke alarm if it begins to “chirp,” indicating that the battery is running low. For smoke alarms that use regular batteries, replacing the batteries once a year is recommended, or before then if the alarm begins to chirp.
All smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years or sooner if they don’t respond properly when tested.
For the best protection, smoke alarms should be interconnected, so that when one alarm sounds, they all do.

February 29, 2016 0 comment

Housing Tips

Understanding Mortgage Loan Assumptions for Home Buyers

by Kimberly Johnson February 23, 2016

written by Kimberly Johnson

Understanding Mortgage Loan Assumptions for Home Buyers

One of the ways to be able to get a house is through mortgage loan assumptions. When considering doing this, it’s important to consider the timing and the climate for loan assumptions. FHA and VA loans allow loan assumptions while other types of loans won’t. Other loans will require you obtain a house through filing a loan application to lenders and going through the usual process of loan application. Other people prefer “subject to” loans rather than make mortgage loan assumptions. Even though this is quite a risky move, some people still prefer it because they won’t really have to have a good credit history (unlike mortgage loan assumptions) in order to buy a house.
Let’s say that you want to invest on wake Forest real estate and have gone through Wake Forest homes for sale. If you meet a seller willing to do mortgage loan assumption, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Compare interest rates – It sounds very basic but some people do assume that since the loan has been taken out some years back, that the interest rates then would be better than interest rates now. Even a 2% difference in interest rates can add up to make a huge difference in your finances in the years to come.
Compare loan fees – Since you’ll still need to apply for a loan (and qualify for it) in order to go through with mortgage loan assumptions, you’ll need to pay for several fees as well. Of course the fees would not be as big as when you take out a new loan, but it’s still good to ask about them just so you know.
Beneficiary statement and mortgage – To make sure about how much is still owed on the property and how much of the loan is assumable, get a beneficiary statement and a copy of the mortgage. This is an important step in order to help you gauge whether you’d be better of getting a new loan rather than assuming the existing loan, in terms of the amount you’ll end up paying up front and over the years through mortgage.

While loan assumptions may initially sound like a good idea, some people prefer to take out a new loan because of a few reasons. Sometimes, it’s a matter of the difference in interest rates. Other times it’s something more definitive, such as the fact that alienation clauses in mortgages give the banks the right to accelerate the loan due to alienation. More often than not, banks are just happy that somebody will assume the mortgage and it’s going to be business as usual for them. However, some people are unwilling to take a risk, and with good reason. After all, when a loan gets accelerated, they’ll have to pay the outstanding balance on the mortgage even if they’re not prepared to do so.
Another reason is that since the house already has some equity built on it (depending on how long the seller has been paying the mortgage of the property), some people are financially unable to meet the difference of the loan and the price of the house. That is, unless the owner is willing to do seller’s financing.

February 23, 2016 0 comment

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