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Fabulously Functional: Simple Touches To Make Your Home More Senior Friendly

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We all want our homes to look fabulous, but as you get older, functionality and safety become key priorities. If you’re planning a mini makeover, or you’re hoping to revamp your home to make it more senior-friendly, we’ve got some brilliant ideas. Here are some tips to help you create a home that will make your home more senior friendly.

Flooring

The flooring you choose for your home can have a significant influence on the aesthetic appeal of different rooms, but it also has a practical role to play. As you get older, you may experience reduced or restricted mobility, and you might also find that you are less able to keep up with jobs like vacuuming. Wood flooring is an excellent option for seniors, as it is no hassle to maintain and it makes floors easy to cover if you need to use mobility aids or a wheelchair. Wood floors also add warmth and coziness to living spaces, and they suit both modern and traditional decor. You can choose from different types of wood and select a finish and shade that complements the style and size of the rooms. Lighter tones are ideal for small spaces where there is a lack of natural light, for example, corridors.

make your home more senior friendly

Image credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/wooden-floor-house-floor-hardwood-1336166/

Open layouts

Open-plan living is hugely popular now, but in years gone by, it was fashionable to have separate living and dining areas. Many older houses have a series of smaller rooms on the ground floor, rather than accessible, spacious kitchen-diners. Open areas are well-suited to families, and they’re also a great option for seniors. With a versatile living space, you can cook, watch TV, socialize, read, relax and work without using a host of different rooms, and you can spend quality time with friends and family members. All this make your home more senior friendly. If you do have a separate dining room or laundry area, or you have more than one living room, it’s worth exploring the possibility of knocking through or taking down a wall to create a larger, brighter, more functional space. This idea will be particularly appealing if you use a wheelchair, or you struggle to get around without support. If you are thinking about this kind of renovation job, it’s always wise to get a series of quotes before you decide which company to choose and to read reviews and ask neighbors and friends for recommendations.

make your home more senior friendly

Picture from https://www.pexels.com/photo/apartment-architecture-ceiling-chairs-276554/

Downstairs bathrooms

If you don’t already have a bathroom on the ground floor, this is an extremely useful addition as you reach your senior years. Even if you’re fit and you have no trouble getting around, it’s beneficial to have access to a toilet without having to climb the stairs during the day. Altering the floorplan or the layout of your main living spaces could free up room for a small cloakroom. You could also consider adding a ground floor extension if you’re willing to take on a larger-scale job and there is sufficient space at the back or side of the house. Home extensions usually take several weeks, but they make a huge difference to the amount of space available and they add substantial value to properties.

make your home more senior friendly

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Making your home more energy-efficient

When you stop working, and you don’t have money coming in on a regular basis, it’s beneficial to save as much as possible on living costs. Making your home more energy-efficient is advantageous for the environment, but it will also reduce your bills significantly. One of the most important considerations for seniors is temperature. You want your home to be cozy and comfortable, but you don’t want to spend a fortune on heating bills. Adding insulation and improving heat retention is an excellent way to reduce energy consumption. You can also replace old light bulbs and electrical appliances with energy-efficient alternatives and consider investing in double glazing if you don’t already have double-glazed windows. Double glazing will keep your home warmer, and it will also reduce external noise and enhance security.

Image source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-cfl-bulb-542619/

Making space for hobbies and interests

One of the best things about retiring is having more time to devote to hobbies and interests. Many of us complain that we simply don’t have enough hours in the day to indulge our passions when we’re working. If you’re keen to pick up old pastimes, or you’d like to spend more time doing activities that you love as you get older, it’s a brilliant idea to make space at home. You can set aside tranquil spots in living areas or spare bedrooms that are rarely used for activities like writing, reading, listening to music or sewing or knitting, and you can design creative spaces for painting, drawing, sculpting, making new clothes or creating DIY gifts. Think about the colors you use when painting walls or choosing soft furnishings and set the tone with lighting and accessories. For quiet areas, stick to muted, soft shades and add texture with bean bag chairs, floor cushions and armchairs and cushions, throws and blankets. Use low-level lighting to add ambiance. For creative spaces, you can be bolder with colors and patterns, opting for a statement wall in a studio or workshop and adding accessories to put your own unique stamp on the room. When you add a crafting or hobby area, it will automatically make your home more senior friendly.

Picture courtesy of https://pixabay.com/photos/brush-color-paint-play-watercolor-96240/

Having a hobby as you get older can help to boost mental wellbeing, and it’s a constructive way to use your time and meet new people and stay in touch with existing friends. It’s also beneficial to have an area where you can exercise. Being active is essential for physical and mental health. Activities like yoga and low-intensity Pilates are ideal for improving flexibility, suppleness and mobility. You can follow classes or online sessions at your own pace in the comfort of your own home.

As we get older, our routines change and the way we use our homes can also vary. If you’re approaching your senior years, it’s wise to think about how practical your home is, and how you could make it more functional. You want your home to look the part, but it also needs to complement your lifestyle and provide a safe haven for you.

How to Design a Senior-Friendly Bathroom

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As you get older your body just isn’t what it used to be. It’s a lot more difficult to get around, you’re not as flexible, parts of your body aches, your bones aren’t as strong, and you’re even more prone to having slip and fall accidents. Instead of struggling to maneuver around your house all day or carry out daily functions, why not have renovations done to accommodate your needs? Here are some tips on how to design a senior-friendly bathroom.

The bathroom is one of the most frequently used rooms in the home. However, it is also one of the most dangerous places. Should you happen to slip and fall in the restroom, you could be looking at serious injuries or even death. That’s why creating a senior-friendly bathroom is ideal. Work with bathroom renovation contractors and a Chicago plumber (or plumber located near you), to help you bring some of these ideas to life.

Widen the Door

If you or someone residing in your home has a wheelchair, getting it through the bathroom door is important. Depending on the size of your bathroom doorway, you may need to have it extended. Expanding it at least 34 inches wide should do the trick.

Install Grab Bars

Remember, falling is a serious risk for seniors. Trying to maneuver around in the bathroom on the hard, sometimes wet floors could be a disaster waiting to happen. Give yourself some additional support by installing grab bars in your bathroom. Installing one near your toilet, sink, and in the tub or shower is highly recommended. Grab bars are an essential when you design a senior-friendly bathroom.

Walk-in Tub or Threshold Showers

The curb right at the entryway of the shower or the side of the tub can be easy places for you to trip and/or lose your balance. To make your bathroom more senior-friendly, it may be best that you invest in a walk-in tub or a threshold shower.

A walk-in tub is a bathtub with a small door on the side for easy access. They also come with seats so you don’t have to try and squat too low. A threshold shower, on the other hand, is a shower that doesn’t have any curb at the entryway. You can walk right in without worrying about tripping. These would also be ideal for seniors who need to roll their wheelchairs into the shower.

Non-Slip Bath Mats

The carpeting in the bathroom can help prevent seniors from falling. This is especially true when the floors are wet. Be that as it may, it is important for you to select mats and rugs that are non-slip and have a good grip. If the carpet easily moves or flaps up, it can quickly become a tripping hazard.

Raise Toilet Height

Trying to squat down to use the restroom may not be as easy as it once was. Not to mention trying to get back up when you’re finished. When renovating your bathroom, you may want to consider your options to raise the height of the toilet. You can go basic with a seat extender or if you have the budget for it you can purchase a toilet that is more senior-friendly.

Adjustable/Handheld Showerhead

Feeling thoroughly cleaned when you leave the shower is a top priority. However, it can be hard to do with a traditional showerhead. You may not be as mobile as you once were to maneuver your body, or you may be in a wheelchair which makes it difficult for you to do a 360. Whatever the case is, having an adjustable and/or handheld showerhead makes it easier. You can adjust it to a position that is most comfortable for you without straining yourself, or you can grab it off the wall and direct the water wherever you’d like.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to live out your senior years in your own home. While you’re there, however, you may need to make some adjustments to ensure that your living is safe and comfortable. If you’re planning a bathroom remodel in the near future, don’t forget to include these important elements when you design a senior-friendly-bathroom you’ll absolutely fall in love with.

Tips for Hosting Parties and Holding Celebrations During COVID-19

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In this season of COVID-19, people are forced to start finding new ways to maintain time-honored traditions. Already many have lost the opportunity to walk in graduations, celebrate summer weddings, or come together to share a cake over a child’s birthday. As rates of the pandemic continue to rise, it is time to consider more seriously how we can celebrate life’s milestones safely. The digital era has come into its own during this pandemic. Zoom and Skype are hosting weddings and jury trials. Companies are learning how to operate with staff who all work remotely. As more of the industry around us adopt digital options, what are some ways for us to leverage technology when hosting parties and holding celebrations during COVID-19?

For starters, consider sending online invitations for quinceaneras, graduations, birthdays, and other important celebrations. Sending digital invites not only save on postage but reduce the risk of transmitting disease through the mail. Digital invites are also a great option to keep updated should you be able to host your celebration in-person rather than through a digital interface.

Celebrate safely by following the guidelines set by the CDC and WHO. There are many news outlets and individuals working to make face masks a political statement. In spite of this, medical professionals around the world are encouraging individuals to wear a face mask in public as well as practice social distancing.

If you’re able to host your celebration digitally, consider doing so! Facebook parties as well as group Zoom calls are a great way to connect with friends and family without risking the spread of COVID-19. These allow you to see your guests and communicate freely without risking contact or spreading illness between guests.

If you celebrating face-to-face, work to keep all of your guests safe with soap and space. Washing hands have become a ritual within our current social climate. Be sure to have hand sanitizer stations available for guests, as well as plenty of soap and disposable towels at any sinks. Sharing hand towels is not a great option right now, so replace traditional communal towels with disposable paper options when possible.

Another great option is limiting the number of seats per table. Typically, round tables at events seat six to eight different individuals. In an effort to maintain social distancing, place only four seats per round table instead. Try to space out or stagger seats on rectangular tables as well to add space between couples or families.

If possible, consider making events outdoors to allow for more air to circulate and space between guests to be made. Consider postponing events that would have larger attendance or require travel for guests. While nobody ever wants to wait to celebrate, it may be best to postpone bigger events. Weddings with larger parties, family reunions, even open houses for graduations can all be rescheduled.

It has to be the priority of hosts to make sure guests can attend and enjoy events without risking their personal wellbeing. If it is impossible to provide room for guests to social distance properly, or for attendees to maintain germ-free hygiene, it may be best to delay celebrating until the risk of COVID-19 has ceased.

Prioritize the health of your friends and family more than anything else in this season. It’s never fun to turn down a party, but making sure to care for yourself and those around you is the most important thing. COVID-19 will pass eventually, so reduce the risk of spread by being cautious in your celebrations today.

Activities For Children With Autism

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Guide created by Lighthouse Autism Center

3 Ways to Enjoy Life in Retirement

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Retiring can be a little bewildering. After decades of following a corporation’s rules and regulations (if you worked for a company, or trying to measure up to your client’s expectations) or if you ran your own business, you might feel a little disoriented because you have nothing much to do anymore. You suddenly find yourself in an unfamiliar phase of your life. Now comes the new challenge of learning how to deal responsibly with your freedom. Here are three suggestions on how to enjoy life in retirement:

Enjoy the Benefits of Assisted Living

If you need some assistance with daily living, you might discover that an assisted living facility offers many more benefits than you might have realized. Besides the obvious benefits of getting help with daily tasks, getting your meals prepared, reduced stress about self-care, and a feeling of safety, you’ll also enjoy the pleasure of an active social life. Many senior living facilities even have innovative technology, like Entertain360℠, a retirement home TV with a selection of the best channels at a lower cost.

Find a Hobby You Love

If you’ve always wanted to learn how to be a marvelous cook but were always too busy with your career to pursue this hobby, now is the perfect time to begin. Cooking your own food from scratch will allow you to make healthier meal choices. If, say, you are gluten intolerant, you can learn to cook delicious dishes like the Gluten-Free Homemade Peach Cobbler Recipe.

Also, consider creative crafting hobbies to take up. If, for example, you like to work with textiles, you could try weaving, embroidery, macramé, appliqué, knitting, crocheting, lace-making, tapestry art, felt-making, or quilting. You could also try your hand at paper craft, woodcraft, or glass crafts. Crafting isn’t just an enjoyable way to spend your time, it also offers some unexpected benefits:

Crafting provides cognitive benefits: Following instructions on how to design something provides cognitive benefits because it stimulates various regions of the brain.
Crafting gives therapeutic benefits. Many seniors take up crafting as art therapy–because crafting lifts your mood, reducing feelings of loneliness, anxiety, or depression.
Crafting supplies social benefits: Crafting offers opportunities to create new friendships because you can spend time sharing your latest craft work with other people who enjoy this hobby.

Some hobbyists even become famous. After carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders for many years, President George W. Bush is now an excellent project painter and has acquired some fame for his paintings to honor veterans.

Practice the Art of Yoga

Exercise is essential to maintain health, and one of the best forms of exercise for seniors is yoga. Yoga can help you reduce stress and mitigate aches and pains. These gentle exercises can pick up your mood, too, reducing anxiety or depression. Yoga can also strengthen bones, enhance balance, improve mobility, increase flexibility, and build strength. After a few weeks of practicing yoga, you’ll notice how well you sleep at night and how much more energized you feel during the day.

Although it’s possible to learn yoga from books or by watching videos, it’s usually best to go to a class to get in-person instructions. This will reduce the risk of injury caused by choosing the wrong exercises, doing them incorrectly, or trying too hard to push your body to perform an exercise that you’re not flexible enough to assume. Many retirement communities and senior centers offer yoga classes. If you can’t find a yoga class for seniors where you live, then sign up for a beginner’s class at a health studio.

All things considered, retirement can be fun. You don’t have to feel isolated, bored, or listless. In fact, if you make the right living arrangements, take up an interesting hobby, and practice yoga, it might surprise you how enjoyable your retirement can be. These are great ways to enjoy life in retirement.

Graduation Gifts Your College-Bound Teen is Sure to Appreciate

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It seems like only yesterday when you heard the news that your baby was about to have a baby. From the moment your grandchild entered the world, you did everything in your power to make sure that you were there to love, nurture, and care for them. You’ve been there through their many milestones, celebrated every birthday, cheered them on at games or other activities, and reveled in the joys of being a grandparent. Now, your grand baby has finished high school and is about to embark on the journey of young adulthood. Certainly, high school graduation is worth celebrating. The only problem is, you’re not sure what to purchase as a gift. They’ve outgrown toys, chances are they won’t like your sense of fashion choices for clothes, and giving them cash or a gift card just seems impersonal. Shopping for a teenager can be stressful, but here is a list of graduation gifts your college-bound teen is sure to appreciate.

graduation gifts for college bound teens

Me and my grandson, Spencer. He’s going off to college this fall.

Backpack/Duffel Bag

Your teenager will thank you for a new backpack or duffel bag. As college campuses are a lot larger than high school, they’ll soon realize just how strenuous it can be to lug books, laptops, and other supplies from one class to the next. A sturdy book bag or duffel bag, however, provides them with the comfort and support they need to travel without straining their backs.

Noise-Canceling Headphones

Trying to get into a zone on a college campus isn’t as easy as it sounds. Whether you’re jogging around campus for exercise or trying to study in your dorm room, there’s always a bunch of noise and distractions surrounding you. Help your college-bound teens stay focused with a nice pair of noise-canceling headphones. They can listen to their favorite music playlist, radio station, or podcast without being disturbed.

Underwear

Though most college campuses have laundromats on-site for students to use, maintaining a regular laundry schedule isn’t always at the top of the list of priorities for your teenager. Between keeping up with classes, after-school jobs, and their social lives, laundry can pile up pretty quickly. If you want to purchase them something they can appreciate, why not spring for underwear. A pack of undershirts and boxers or briefs for your grandson and trendy racerback bra and matching boy shorts for your granddaughter, at the very least, ensures that they have on clean underwear every day.

Grocery Store Gift Card

While you may want to give them something more personal than cash, a gift card to a grocery store near campus can really come in handy. Students soon learn that paying for meals on campus can get expensive. So, they tend to get pretty creative and prepare meals in their dorms. Having a gift card on hand that can be used to get groceries means they can save their cash for other college expenses.

Technology

No teenager can resist the convenience of technology. If you really want to get your college-bound grandchild something they’ll appreciate, you can’t go wrong in this category. If they don’t already have one, you could purchase them a laptop or tablet. These days most coursework and books are available through digital platforms, so having up-to-date technology will ensure they can keep up with their classes.

If you can’t afford to spend that much on a graduation gift, there are still other ideas like portable chargers, plenty of charger cords (they somehow always seem to lose those), or even a mobile hotspot for times they need to connect to the internet on the go.

Dorm Room Decor

Being able to create your own personal space in college means everything to a teenager. Find out what the theme is for their college dorm room. Then, you can purchase things like bed sheets, comforters, area rugs, posters, throw pillows, artwork, picture frames, and whatever else they might want to add personality to their otherwise plain dorm rooms.

It’s crazy how quickly time flies. Once a tiny newborn you could hold in your arms, your grandchild is now on their way to college. Send them off the right way by purchasing them a gift that they’ll not only appreciate, but be able to use to help them through the first few months of college life.

Celebrating Special Occasions With Your Family During the Pandemic

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As you patiently remain at home to reduce your chances of contracting the coronavirus, you’re missing out on all the wonderful milestones and special occasions with your loved ones. Your grandkids are graduating from school, holidays are zooming by, your adult children might even be getting married, expecting a baby, or celebrating a housewarming. These things are all times to celebrate and be happy, but when you’re unable to attend or get involved it can make you feel a bit sad and lonely. So, how are you celebrating special occasions with your family during the pandemic?

For most senior citizens, your family is what you live for. You enjoy the regular interactions with them, seeing them grow and evolve, and celebrating the best times in their lives. So, being apart from them can become emotionally overwhelming (which isn’t good for your health). Fortunately, there are ways you can connect, celebrate, and be involved with those you love most while remaining safe. Here are some suggestions listed below:

Tap in Virtually to Special Occasions With Your Family During the Pandemic

Are your grandkids having a graduation ceremony that you can’t make? Perhaps your adult child is hosting a baby shower, housewarming, or family barbecue this summer that you don’t want to miss? Whatever the case may be, you can always tap into the event virtually. With the right video chat application, you can call in, talk to everyone, and even spend a few moments watching the celebration. If the event is being recorded, you can also request to stream it live so you can feel as if you’re right there with everyone. My adult children and I all get on Zoom every other Sunday to talk about what’s going on in each other’s lives. It is so much fun! It’s almost like being together in real life.

Send Gifts

You may not be able to head to a nearby store and go shopping for gifts for your loved ones, but that doesn’t mean you can’t let them know you care. Instead of risking your health during the pandemic, pull up a chair, and go shopping online. You can find everything your family may need or want on the internet.

Is your daughter having a baby shower? You can go online and find her everything from baby clothes and blankets to breast pumps and nipple cream and have them delivered to your daughter’s home. Want to let your grandkids know you’re proud of them for finishing out the school year? You can send them digital gift cards or browse the inventory at your favorite stores and send them a personal gift. Maybe the family is having a barbecue in the near future? You can pay for a nearby restaurant to drop off anything from chicken and pasta to cold cuts and beverages to pitch in on the food for the family.

Host Small Yet Safe Functions

You may not be able to attend a graduation ceremony, baby shower, or family barbecue if there are too many people around, but, if you really want to celebrate with your loved ones, you can host something small and safe at your place. Inviting fewer than 10 people to your home, you can have a barbecue, a family dinner, or a small party of your own. Try to host the event in your backyard as it is a lot safer than being in a closed-in space like your home, keep the guest list small, and ensure that everyone is wearing personal protection equipment like face masks and gloves (especially when handling food) to reduce the spread of the virus. It may even be ideal to check everyone’s temperature prior to having them enter your place just to be on the safe side.

My four adult children talked amongst themselves, and came up with a plan for Mother’s Day. The three girls all sent money to my son via Paypal so that he could pick up a dozen roses, two pounds of crab legs, a box of my favorite snack cakes, and a card from all of them. My son and I had a nice dinner for two, then we got on Zoom with the girls so I could tell them how special it made me feel for them to plan this Mother’s Day Celebration for me.

Though there has been no treatment or vaccine yet created for the coronavirus, in many states, the number of new cases, hospitalizations, and deaths has slowed dramatically encouraging government officials to reopen states and gradually return to normal. Of course, that’s great news, but for those who are considered high-risk, remaining in the safety of your home just a bit longer is strongly advised. While this means missing out on family celebrations and milestones, the good news is you can still keep in touch, remain connected, and celebrate special occasions with your family during the pandemic.

Keeping Up with the Grandkids

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Meet Theresa, a good friend of mine. She’s also a good grandma! Her grandkids range from Danny, age one, all the way up to Lisa, who just started high school last fall. In all, Theresa has nine grandchildren, and she manages to keep up with them like nobody’s business. I asked her to share some of her secrets. Here is our conversation:

Q: Tell us your secret, Theresa. We all want to know how you can keep up with nine grandkids!

A: It makes me feel so blessed to have them! That’s probably the number one reason I can keep up with them. Gratitude. And I don’t want to miss a single moment, if I can help it.

Q: You and I have talked about your diet before.

A: Yes, absolutely. At least eighty percent of the time I eat a low-fat, whole-food, plant-based diet. I would say lately it’s more like ninety to a hundred percent. I just don’t want to risk it.

Q: Why don’t you tell us why you originally switched to a healthy diet.

A: I was tired all the time, my blood pressure was high, my cholesterol was high… the works. So I started searching to see if there was a way to reverse all of that. I found out that there was, through diet, so I threw myself into the diet. What I discovered was that I had so much more energy than ever before. There’s a documentary I tell people to watch on Netflix, called Game Changers. And there’s this guy in it that says something like, “I don’t have to keep up with my grandchildren. My grandchildren have to keep up with me.” I almost feel like that sometimes, and it makes me so happy.

Q: Besides a healthy diet, what else do you do to keep up with the grandkids?

A: Let’s see… Well, I get a moderate amount of exercise. I try to walk for half an hour or so every day. I also have been taking CBD gummies, usually on a daily basis.

Q: Do you really?

A: Yes. It’s said that they help you recover from exertion faster, and you know that I exert myself a lot. They also are supposed to help you sleep better, and I can tell you that I enjoy a good night’s sleep.

Q: Do you FaceTime the kids?

A: (Laughs.) Almost every morning! The youngest ones usually FaceTime me! Danny and his sister Cody, who is three. Danny’s one and a half.

Q: Can you imagine what it would be like to be that age and able to use video chat on a phone?

A: It’s like what they promised the future would be like when we were little!

Q: So you would say that you live a pretty healthy, happy lifestyle.

A: Absolutely. And honestly, I stay healthy for them, not myself. For example, I occasionally think about zipping through the drive through for a burger or fried chicken. But I don’t. I think about my grandkids, and I decide to skip it. I eat the whole foods, and I never regret it. I think about sitting on the couch all day, but I get up and I get moving. If it weren’t for my little darlings, I’d eat whatever I wanted and park myself in front of the TV, and I’d either have a hard time moving around, or I’d be dead.

Q: Jumping back to the CBD stuff we were talking about, I meant to ask one more question about that: Do you ever use them for stress?

A: Honestly I don’t think I have a lot of stress in my life! But who knows… maybe that’s because I take the gummies. Mostly, though, I think of it as whole body wellness with CBD.

Q: Are there any other supplements you take?

A: Besides vitamin B12 and CBD, I try to get everything else from eating a diverse, healthy diet. And for my vitamin D, I try to take my walks outside in the sunshine.

Q: I love a good walk in the sunshine.

A: Me too!