Home Modification

  When the truth is found to be lies and all the joy within you dies don’t you want somebody to love don’t you need somebody to love…  -Jefferson Airplane, 1967   I was reading a story about 91 year old, Jean Stevens from Wyalusing, Pennsylvania, who had been aging in place with her husband of 60 years,  along with her twin sister June. Nothing unusual here, except for the fact that her loved ones are both deceased. Husband James’s corpse was exhumed shortly after his funeral and strategically settled on the couch in the garage; where it

        (photo kenhealthcareja.com) Guest post: I found Sharon's story about the journey to aging in place with her father so practical (step-by-step approach) and compelling, I asked her if I could share it here. Before you place a loved one into a facility, read Dad's House and consider the possibilities.     Dad's House By Sharon R. McMurray Our first reaction was “He can’t live alone.”  How could he manage without her?  She was his companion in the house they bought the year after they married nearly sixty years ago. A typical homemaker from the 50s era, she cooked for him, washed the

                    (photo chatterbox.typepad.com) The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes. -Frank Lloyd Wright   I once wrote that inspiration is like rain, it falls on everyone; some shield themselves with an umbrella, failing to take heed; still others run in doors, avoidance all together—then there are those who walk freely amongst the pour, sensing every drop and giving reverence.  The word “inspiration” comes from the ancients who believed that a breath of divinity is received from the gods by some deserving soul. The key word here is, “deserving.” Diane and Jay Plesset are just such deserving

                                 (photo obviousmag.org) You never know what is enough, until you know what is more than enough. -William Blake, Proverbs of Hell   The other morning I went to the cupboard for some cereal and found two boxes, each containing less than 1/3 of the original contents; the boxes were taking up scarce shelf space. Next, the UPS delivery guy arrived with a package large enough to house several pounds of French roast: Yet the box was feather light (?). Opening the box I discovered two titanium “sporks” which I had ordered for backpacking; each packaged

                    (photo blog.tmcnet.com/tomkeating)   Santa Claus has the right idea: visit people once a year. -Victor Borge    Ya know Santa isn’t getting any younger…and to think, the old-guy has been climbing down chimneys for as long as I can remember. This got me wondering about the accessibility of our home—and more practically; how could we entertain guests with mobility issues? “Visitability” The aging in place movement embraces a concept known as “visitability” which is defined by 3 basic features: 1. One zero-step entrance, at the front, side, or back of the home 2. All main floor doors (bathrooms too) have at least