Although more and more schools are now starting in August, I still think of September as the time when children go back to school. After a summer of relaxation and sleeping in, it’s time to hit the books again. And while for many of us our days of formal schooling are a distant memory, I think we all should have an attitude of lifetime learning. Learning new things keeps our minds sharp and helps maintain our youthful vigor. What new things will you endeavor to learn this back to school season? In writing Housing Matters for the last seven years, I have been constantly looking for new ideas and information to include in this column. It has helped me to keep up with new product developments and new ideas in aging in place. In many ways aging in place is a new idea and in other ways it has been around since the beginning of time. Here are a few questions to ask as you plan to learn more this fall:
- Do you plan to live in your present home for the rest of your life?
- If not, what type of home would you consider moving into?
- Are changes needed to your home to make it safe and accessible?
- If you needed someone to care for you in your home, would you know where to find them?
- If you were no longer able to drive how would you get around?
- Do you have the financial resources to pay for the care you may need?
- Are your legal documents in order?
If these questions seem overwhelming, they don’t have to be. There are resources available to help you find the answers to them. A good place to start is the Planning Guide published by the National Aging in Place Council. The guide walks you through the various categories of services you may need to successfully age in place such as housing, healthcare, transportation, financial planning, and community and social interaction. By working through the guide, you are able to put together a plan for successfully staying in your own home for as long as you choose to. As the old maxim goes, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” The planning guide is available for download on my website at www.sre.expert or you can write to me at the address below and I will be happy to mail you a copy.
Senior Remodeling Experts
1371 Southside Dr Suite D
Salem, VA 24153
If you want to learn more, please visit me in booth #304 at the Fall Home Show at the Salem Civic Center on September 24 and 25 at the Salem Civic Center. I look forward to seeing many of my readers at the show. Let me know that you read Housing Matters and tell me what subjects you would like to see covered in the future.
Finally, as part of National Aging in Place week, the Western and Central Virginia Aging in Place Council will be hosting the Third Annual Aging in Place Symposium at Fitzpatrick Hall in the Jefferson Center on October 11 from 4-7. The Symposium will feature speakers, exhibits, and panel discussions about aging in place strategies. Past attendees have come away from the symposiums with a wealth of knowledge and a host of resources to help in their planning process. Refreshments will be provided. For more information look for the ad in this edition of Senior News or call me at 540-384-2064. As always, thank you for reading Housing Matters.
