Aging in Place: No convincing required

“The only people with whom you should try to get even are those who have helped you.”

~ John E. Southard

Aging in Place

Scott Fulton is the President of the National Aging in Place Council (NAIPC), a teacher, health advocate, and business owner. He wears many hats and is a very busy guy. Scott is also active on LinkedIn and frequently posts on topics related to physical wellness and the built environment.

He recently shared a Facebook post from a person who contacted the NAIPC for help. I share the note here because within it contains elements worth deep introspection. Scott wrote to me after I read it and made a comment. His thoughtful reply contained these 3 vital words which summed it up:

“No convincing required.”

What Scott was alluding to, was this person who provided the testimonial is ready, willing, and able to begin remodeling for aging in place. There was no need to try to “sell” him on the benefits–he was overwhelmingly convinced it was the right thing to do. I can’t tell you how rare that is. Less than 4% of housing stock in the U.S. are age-Friendly with a minimum of one non-barrier entrance, 36″ wide doorways, and a bedroom/bath on the main floor.

The Aging in Place Testimony

I’ve done more things than most, a credit to my years (I’m aging) and my willingness to invoke change frequently. When I left corporate for the second time, I’d done my homework and entered the aging space with eyes wide open. It was obvious aging in place was a disaster. Even most wealthy retired execs I knew didn’t have the answers. The rest of us? We didn’t stand a chance.

I’d love to tell you we’ve turned all that around, but sadly most of still have our heads in the sand and/or egos up our a$$, not even knowing the right questions to ask, let alone have answers that will protect our families from avoidable suffering and pain. Smart people, just naive in this aspect of life.

I found the National Aging in Place Council in the course of my research. It was and remains the only organized group of people with the skills and knowledge to both help educate and serve the over 50 million Americans aging in place.

NAIPC was my fast track to learning and connecting with the community of experts, and those looking to find their niche. It opened doors to a community unlike any I’d worked within decades, with a level of commitment and integrity I’d never experienced.

This unsolicited account of the value of aging in place remodeling generally, and the NAIPC specifically, deserves unpacking and examining the key elements which place this individual in the “no convincing required” camp.

10 Elements that make up the Ideal Aging in Place Client

1) A positive view of aging: I’ve done more things than most, a credit to my years (I’m aging) …

2) Embraces Change: my willingness to invoke change frequently

3) Willingness to end and start again: When I left corporate for the second time

4) Informed and Realistic: I’d done my homework and entered the aging space with eyes wide open

5) Understands the Issue/s: It was obvious aging in place was a disaster

6) Knows Limitations: Even most wealthy retired execs I knew didn’t have the answers. The rest of us? We didn’t stand a chance.

7) Not Delusional: I’d love to tell you we’ve turned all that around, but sadly most of still have our heads in the sand and/or egos up our a$$, not even knowing the right questions to ask, let alone have answers that will protect our families from avoidable suffering and pain. Smart people, just naïve in this aspect of life.

8) Self-motivated, anticipated need did the work to find answers: I found the National Aging in Place Council in the course of my research

9) Willingness to learn and reach out to experts: NAIPC was my fast track to learning and connecting with the community of experts

10) Gratefulness: It opened doors to a community unlike any I’d worked within decades, with a level of commitment and integrity I’d never experienced.

Ironically, when I go over these 10 elements they overlap with components of “Successful Aging” found in much of the literature on longevity. There are aspects of self-efficacy, human development, novelty and complexity, building community, non-gerontophobia, gratitude, the embrace of change, self-awareness, and a love of home. I don’t think that is coincidental.

For those CAPS, OT, PT, UD, architects, and aging-in-place industry, this is such a gift to receive a note as Scott shared. It sends 2 messages, 1) some proactive individuals know the value of what you do and 2) What you do matters.

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Scott Fulton has a new book coming out soon: LinkedIn