Most people want to live independently for as long as possible, but family members and other loved ones are often concerned for their safety. It is important to most of us to be able to take care of ourselves and not be a burden to others. The sense of independence…
In the three years that I have been writing Housing Matters, the beginning of an age wave has reached our shores. The first baby boomer turned 65 on January 1, 2011. The 78 million of us born between 1946 and 1964 will be turning 65 at the rate of 10,000…
Since this column is called Housing Matters I usually talk about things that are going on inside the house. This month, since spring is right around the corner, I think I will open the door to the outside and talk about Universal Design outside the home. Many people enjoy spending…
I use the term permanent housing to refer to a home designed to be useful for the entire lifespan of its occupants. I do not mean to suggest that we are building houses that will last forever. The oldest house still standing that I could find reference to is a…
January begins a new year, and often begins with resolutions and high hopes. However, the shorter days, cold weather, and being cooped up inside can often leave people feeling less than enthusiastic about the month of January. Spending more time indoors might lead us to think about what changes we…
It is the most wonderful time of the year! That familiar verse from the old Christmas song brings to mind memories of sights and smells from my childhood. I think that Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year. Just like George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life…
In this column I write about all the things we can do to our homes to make them easier and safer to live in. I emphasize the fact that Universal Design benefits everyone in making our homes more user friendly for all of us. I think it’s slowly starting to…
Fall is in the air. The leaves on the trees are changing color, the air is crisp, and most of us are starting to spend more time indoors. The sights and smells of autumn always include cooking or baking in the kitchen. If you enjoy spending time in your kitchen,…
More and more of us are caring for our parents. A MetLife Mature Market Institute study on caregiving costs to working caregivers found that while in 1994 3% of men and 9% of women over 50 were providing care to a parent, by 2008 that had risen to 17% and…
All of us are getting older. There is no getting around that fact. While there are many who try to rephrase the fact or put into a fancy wrapper, it doesn’t change the reality. As we get older we often have more trouble doing the things we used to do…
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Dedicated to the memory of Susanna Baur Moore 1923-2010.
An inspiration to all who knew her.
