In Pursuit of Gracious Aging: Rethinking Aging in Place

A year of Covid has left us all feeling more vulnerable. We can do everything right, yet sometimes it’s not enough. At Guideway, many of our clients took action by creating or updating their Living Trusts. Couples approaching retirement are making important life decisions. Will they age in place, move to be closer to their kids or is a retirement community the right solution?

In a The New York Times article, a “throuple” was making plans for aging in place

A “throuple” is a new term–three people in a romantic relationship—in this case for 15 years. The pandemic forced the retirement issue for this group. They felt some urgency to find a retirement solution now so it will be ready when they need it. While they live in Florida, their desired location is New England, where they have friends and family.

They ended up buying an unimproved 1.7-acre lot of restored tidal marsh that featured changing scenery, natural light and an array of wildlife. When it came to design, there were a few nonnegotiables: Enough privacy to allow for plenty of windows, tidal marsh views, an easily maintained home and an eco-friendly yard.

Gracious aging: Being able to comfortably and safely age was the primary concern

“This is the first time we have worked for a three-person couple for whom gracious aging was part of the discussion from the outset,” said Rustam Mehta, a founding partner of GRT Architects, the Brooklyn firm that designed the 3,300-square-foot house.

The home embodies universal design principles

The one-story house follows universal design principles that are also senior-friendly–open spaces, minimal stairs, wider doorways and hallways. The three-bedroom home is wheelchair accessible and barrier free. There are no steps or thresholds across the entire principle floor. No tubs–all three bathrooms feature zero-threshold showers. For the country’s swiftly aging boomer population, this attention to safety is essential to healthy home life.

What usually happens: Changes are made in response to a fall or accident

More often than not, when homes are upgraded to accommodate seniors, changes are hurriedly made in response to a fall, accident or medical diagnosis. For the aging baby-boomer population that intends to age in place, now is a great time to start turning homes into comfortable, safe places to grow old.

Upgrades can start with easy changes:

• Installing task lighting in kitchens to accommodate fading eyesight.
• Building multi-height countertops to allow people of all abilities to both stand and sit while working in the kitchen.
• Investing in nonslip tiles and grab bars in bathrooms.
• Relocating select electrical outlets to be 18-inches to 24-inches high, making them accessible from wheelchairs.

Bigger changes can include enlarged doorways

Allowing for wheelchair access or a walker and adding ramps to eliminate stairs are essential changes. Many small modifications can be made that are inexpensive or have no associated cost. Evaluate your home for trip hazards. Unstable area rugs, cracked and loose tiles and flooring, both indoor and out.

According to Dr. Rodney Harrell, the vice president for Family, Home and Community at AARP, “The vast majority of people want to stay in their homes as they age, and most homes in this country aren’t designed to allow that to happen.” Start with the simple things that are easy and inexpensive to make your home safe.

Is it time to update your Living Trust?

Many of our senior clients created their Living Trust eight or more years ago. There’s a good chance a lot has happened since then—births, deaths, divorce, investments and new jobs. Our Trust package includes a Power of Attorney, an Advance Healthcare Directive and a Will. We guide you through the process and we prepare the legal documents. Schedule an appointment with Guideway today. We guide you through it and we prepare the legal documents.

We service the entire East Bay and North Bay areas

Berkeley, El Cerrito, Richmond, Pinole, Alameda, San Leandro, Castro Valley Newark, San Lorenzo, Concord, Alamo, Danville, Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga, Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Pittsburg, Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley, Discovery Bay, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Livermore, Tracy and Fremont. Our clients also live in the Napa Valley, Benicia, Vallejo, Martinez, Fairfield.

Looking for the Perfect Place to Grow Old? Try Washington D.C.!

Martha Baron, 79, has found the ideal place to grow old. Her happy place is just half a block from her Washington D.C. condominium—the Newark Street Community Garden. During the growing season, Ms. Baron visits her two organic garden plots where she tends to her flowers, tomatoes, zucchini and herbs on a daily basis. But it’s more than growing and harvesting her crops. “It’s a wonderful place to meet others of all ages from all different walks of life with similar interests, and it gives me a purpose,” said Ms. Baron.

Such opportunities are helping make Washington an ideal place to grow old

After her husband died, Ms. Baron moved to Washington to be near her children and grandchildren. Like many seniors, she found it difficult to meet new people and make friends. That’s all changed. She joined the garden and became a member of Cleveland & Woodley Park Village, an organization of volunteers that provides services like shopping trips and transportation to doctor appointments and plans social outings for older adults.

87% of adults 65 and older want to stay in their own communities as they age

These statistics are consistent across the U.S. as cities grapple with the needs of older adults. The nonprofit Milken Institute’s Best Cities for Successful Living report found several cities to be ahead of the curve–smaller cities like Iowa City, and Sioux Falls, S.D., and larger ones like Washington, Boston and New York.

Washington’s success may be due to the growth of a concept called “Villages”

Ms. Baron’s Village, at $500 a year, has 100 members, aged 57 to 95, and 160 volunteers. It’s one of 15 Villages across the district and more than 50 throughout the Washington metro area. These Villages are part of an international effort supported by the WHO as part of an effort it launched in 2007 for cities that serve aging populations.

For the development of a Village program, WHO recommends a rigorous five-year process in which city leaders, businesses and government agencies focus on improving the elements that affect seniors’ quality of life. These include:

• Affordable housing. The ability to downsize and find smaller, low-cost housing.
• Availability of public transportation—busses and ridesharing. Safe paths for walking and biking.
• Grocery stores with healthy food options.
• Opportunities to participate in civic and cultural events.
• Access to a retail sector with drugstores, banks and a library.
• Houses of worship, safe parks and open spaces.

Ensuring that seniors can participate in the life of a community

As part of the Age-Friendly Cities program, Washington has increased the number of parks and open spaces, equipping them with seating, drinking fountains and restrooms. They’ve developed neighborhood walks, tai chi and the community gardens like Ms. Baron’s that provide opportunities to stay active and meet new people.

Washington D.C. has developed other programs that help seniors age in place

• East Capitol Urban Farm, a vacant three-acre plot in Ward 7 is being turned into a new urban farm.
• Safe at Home provides grants of up to $10,000 for homeowners to make their houses safer and more livable—such as adding grab bars or wheelchair access.
• Genesis, aGenerations of Hope residence, is a 27-unit affordable community that brings together residents 60 and older with young families and single mothers transitioning from the foster care system.
• Affordable housing for grandfamilies. Plans call for a 12-story affordable-housing development that will offer subsidized housing and services for grandparents raising grandchildren. Fifty of the 223 apartments for low-income residents will be set aside for such “grandfamilies.”

Cities will look to Washington, D.C. as a model for senior services

Many of our clients are seniors who come in to our offices to create their Living Trusts, so health care issues and retirement planning are frequent topics. This inspiring article about Washington D.C.’s work to create innovative programs can serve as a model for other cities as they strive to provide safe, affordable services for their senior populations.

During this health crisis, many are feeling an urgency to create a Living Trust 

Our Trust package includes a Will, Power of Attorney, an Advance Healthcare Directiveand Incapacity Planning. We guide you through the process and prepare the legal documents. At California Document Preparers, for most of our services, we charge one flat fee. We’re helpful, compassionate and affordable. Schedule an appointment todayat one of our three Bay Area offices in Dublin, Walnut Creek or Oakland. 

Note that our offices are open and we’ve instituted stringent sanitation procedures. We can also provide our services virtually.

We service the entire East Bay and North Bay areas

Berkeley, El Cerrito, Richmond, Pinole, Alameda, San Leandro, Castro Valley Newark, San Lorenzo, Concord, Alamo, Danville, Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga, Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Pittsburg, Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley, Discovery Bay, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Livermore, Tracy and Fremont. Our clients also live in the Napa Valley, Benicia, Vallejo, Martinez, Fairfield.

This story is based on a story in The New York Times by Kerry Hannon.

Aging in Place: Growing Older at Home

Living Trusts are an important service for us, and creating a Trust often inspires people to get serious about life planning. Many of those who are retired or who are nearing retirement begin to make plans for what they hope will be the next twenty or more years. Health and economics influence every decision, but having a plan—and acting on it–provide peace of mind for many seniors and their families.

Aging in place is a concept that has gained popularity for some very good reasons

Many retirees move to where they can be close to their kids and grandchildren. Remaining in the home where you’ve raised your family and celebrated important milestones may be the most logical place to live out your life. But not every home is suitable for aging seniors. Isolated access, stairs, loose floorboards, porches, electronic gates and winding driveways can seem insignificant now, but what if you have a stroke? You’re suddenly completely isolated, unable to get into or out of your own home.

Ben and Sara have decided to age in place

Ben and Sara have been trying to sell their 40-acre property in the Napa Valley for the last five years. It’s accessible from a steep, winding road that finally ends at their driveway. Visitors hit the buzzer and an enormous, yawning wood and iron gate slowly swings open. Their lovely home is on a single level, but the property traverses the hillsides. Sara and Ben are in their late 70s, still busy and active. Over the years they have spent a lot of money remodeling their home. They have tried to sell, but have not found a buyer who will meet their price. They’ve decided to stay right where they are and age in place.

Really bad idea. This is not the kind of home in which to be aging in place

Ben and Sara are isolated in their home. When the power goes out, that huge gate won’t open and there is no other ingress/egress. When they’re no longer able to drive, they will be completely isolated. Their nearest neighbors live another half mile away, up more winding roads. Their three grown children all live on the east coast.

Maintenance on their 40 acres is becoming a burden

They have a gardener, but Ben does a lot of the work himself. He enjoys the physical effort, including fussing over his tomatoes, olives and grapes. He knows, however, that he is doing less and aching more. While Ben and Sara are financially secure, maintaining their property is a constant drain.

Ben and Sara would be better off taking a financial loss, selling their estate and buying a smaller home or cottage in Napa where they can safely grow old within walking distance of the library, cafes and activities.

Choosing to stay in your own home can be an expensive proposition

Despite the costs, the United States Aging Survey shows that many Americans age 65 and older say they want to stay right where they are, in the homes where it’s comfortable and familiar. But to age in place successfully, it’s often necessary to remodel your home to make it safer.

How will you age?

Consider how you might age before remodeling your house to accommodate life after retirement. Although medical advances and improved diets are keeping seniors healthy and active longer, the years inevitably take their toll. Eyesight and hearing may worsen; it may be difficult to navigate stairs, step over a threshold or climb into a bathtub. It’s not unlikely that at some point you will require a walker or a wheelchair. If arthritis is in your gene pool, you could have difficulty grasping and turning doorknobs.

Falling is a concern as we become less steady on our feet

Seniors dread falling, as old bones heal slowly. Replacing a hip or knee requires a long recovery period. Removing potential hazards is critical to home safety for aging seniors.

What remodeling do you need to age in place?

In the same way that you baby-proof a home, you need to age-proof it for seniors. You might not need as big of a house as you think. If you live in a two-story home, you may want to move to a smaller home on a single level. You may think about remodeling that second floor to make room for a family member or friend to live with you as a caretaker.

Some common remodeling projects for those considering aging in place 

• Install non-slip flooring. Falls are a leading cause of death and injury for older Americans. Replace the floor with a nonslip surface or install nonslip rugs.
• Walk-in tub or shower installations. Making a bathroom safer may require a walk-in tub or shower.
• Wider doorways for wheelchairs. According to the ADA, doorways should be at least 32 inches to make room for a wheelchair or walker.
• Installing a ramp. A ramp will make entering your home in a wheelchair more manageable.
• Install stair lifts or handrails. A stair lift for someone who can no longer access upper levels of a house is an important consideration.
• Change faucets to levers. A small thing, but a big difference maker to someone with crippling arthritis.
• Bathroom remodeling. Remodeling a bathroom quickly gets expensive. Making room for a wheelchair can mean new plumbing and electrical.
• Lower the kitchen countertops. Those in wheelchairs will need to have cabinets and counters lowered.

Creating a Living Trust is an important part of financial planning

Our Living Trust portfolio includes an Advance Healthcare Directive and a Power of Attorney. In this legal document, you can detail your preferences for your retirement years. You can state your wishes to remain in your own home or move to a retirement community. When the time comes, you can identify your preferences for moving to assisted care or a nursing facility or staying in your home.

California Document Preparers assists our clients in the preparation of Living Trusts. Our dedicated team guides you through every step. Schedule an appointment today by contacting us at one of our three Bay Area offices. Our dedicated team is helpful, compassionate and affordable.