DIY Mother’s Day Project

Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.

-Vincent Van Gogh

Aging in Place

For many year’s Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” hung above our small kitchen table–it was an ever-present reminder of my mother’s appreciation of beauty. It doesn’t matter where I am in the world when I see that image it takes me back to her kitchen. These are the meaningful objects that make a house a home and support identities through-out our lives.

Have you ever been to a garage sale, strolling antique row in some small town, or on ebay and come across an item that you grew up with in your parent’s home? You are compelled emotionally to make it yours again…A uniquely boomer experience.

Mom’s Place

For Baby boomers, parent’s homes are treasure-troves of valued objects that define us–and them. These family things have contextual importance in terms of history that we existed and have roots. Parents, for better or for worse, are designated as the keepers of the family artifacts (as you are now, for future generations). Living this continuum of meaning can be emotionally stabilizing, breads crumbs leading us back to who we were and are now, and who we are becoming.

Aging in Place can keep this chain of past-present-and future intact; and a few small things brought together can lead to great things…a continuity of self.

Make this Mother’s Day weekend a special visit, take the grandkids and make a fun project out of helping Grandma remain in the home she loves!

DYI aging in place small action items:

1. Visit Medicare.gov together and explore options

2. Do a walk-through of the home with seniors guided by the ReBuild Together Home Check List

3. Repair and replace kitchen cabinet hardware

Replacing or repairing knobs and pulls on cabinets and drawers is a quick way to give your old kitchen a new look.

Cabinet hardware can be simple or ornate, and ranges from $1 a knob to $45 or more. Here’s your game plan:

• Repair loose knobs and pulls by tightening holding screws, replacingstripped screws, or plugging gaps with wood filler applied with a putty knife.
• Count the number of knobs or pulls you need before you head to thehardware store. Estimating will cost you time and money.
• To replace pulls, which are attached to cabinets by a screw at eachend, measure the distance between holes–not the length of pulls–to assure a perfect fit.
• If you’re switching from a two-hole pull to a one-hole knob, choosehardware with back plates that cover door scratches and holes.

4. Install new fire alarms/change batteries

5. Change lightbulbs to brighter illumination

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