Hi Again to our SLIDESHARE Friends and followers!!! People have asked us for one more "sample" of our quarterly newsletter - So HERE YOU GO! :-)
So here is an example of the value you'd get if you sign up at www.EmpoweringTheMatureMind.com for our quarterly newsletter! In our WINTER 2013 issue, we cover the following topics, articles and features:
- "What's NEW at EtMM?": Updates on what we are working on for YOU our double opt-in community of valued followers... this quarter we review ASA's AiA13 National Conference!
- "Product Focus - R&D for A.I.P.": Here we share what the Research and Development industries are doing by highlighting a recent and pertinent new product or service offering related to successful Aging-In-Place. This quarter it's a "Super Pole" for help getting up and down from bed and in/out of the shower safely - which you can temporarily mount an secure anywhere to the floor and ceiling!
- "The BEST of "Murph's Mind": This is our TOP Blog of the Quarter, based on social engagement, response, and comments we've received along with the great discussions that it has created among our communities and online social "tribes" per se. This quarter, the winning blog is titled "Successful 'Aging-in-Place' Starts with Common Sense". Easy, low or no cost solutions to start looking at simple ways to make your home safer.
- "Comic Corner": Here we share some humorous material that helps us to lighten up a little bit about getting older. It is happening to us all, and we need to keep our sense of HUMOR about things!
- "Featured Aging-In-Place Project": Here we share one of our personal projects that we, at ADM Architecture, have taken on with a client recently, which is specific to successful Aging-In-Place via our expertise in the industry and our ability to provide our clients with sound advice on planning for your "Forever Home" with better layout, planning design, remodeling for accessibility, inclusive design features, universal design components, etc. Here we show you how we are able as professionals to bring value to our clients and any design and construction team in planning for your success in the last 1/3 of life related to your housing situation. We allow you and your family members / loved ones to be a part of making decisions that EMPOWER you to keep your INDEPENDENCE, your DIGNITY, your HAPPINESS, and your SAFETY in your own homes.
(Give us a call if you want to schedule a consultation, we'd be happy to help you too!)
We hope you enjoy this example of our Quarterly Newsletter. If you DID, please SHARE it with others you love and care about. Also, please DO go sign up at www.EmpoweringTheMatureMind.com for our Newsletter, so you can start receive all of our valuable resources and informational offerings now and in the future!
Cheers to YOU, Your EMPOWERMENT, and your Successful FUTURE!
Aaron D. Murphy, Managing Editor @ EmpoweringTheMatureMind.com
info@EmpoweringTheMatureMind.co
2. Printed on: April 13, 2013
www.EmpoweringtheMatureMind.com info@EmpoweringTheMatureMind.com
What’s NEW at EtMM?
Whew, what a week we had in Chicago!
Amazing. Inspiring. Exciting… Connecting. Presenting. Experiencing… Exhausting.
That about sums up the “What’s Next Boomer Summit” and the American Society on
Aging 2013 “Aging In America” national conference last week in Chicago 3/12 to 3/16.
Issue#03 Spring 2013
The industry is truly DEFINING ITSELF as we speak. This is a “race for space”, with people
climbing the hill to plant their flag in the specific sector and segment of the market space they
want to capture, and yet we’re all doing it (just a bit) by the “seat of our pants”. What I mean is,
this entire industry is being INVENTED AS WE GO. Our world and U.S. demographic has
never been where it’s going, and there are many industries, technologies, thought leaders, and
academics that are reviewing, studying, researching, inventing, creating and striving to solve
the challenges, problems, and opportunities of the Baby Boomers and their families.
We are flattered and honored to get such feedback –
especially from the legendary Mr. Walter Cronkite’s
daughter… (Yes, that’s her & the last name you
were thinking of…)
“…Yours was one of my favorite presentations
at #AiA13. It was clear, easy to follow and not
self-serving or commercial like some of them. I
thought you used humor to great effect… I look
forward to hearing from you and am intrigued
by your thought about collaborating.”
Kate (Kathy) Cronkite
So, what were our “take away” items,
reflections, lessons, and ideas as we review
our trip and our notes from last week in
Chicago? (Please note, these are not ver-
batum quotes, but short form ideas from my
own notes during presentations and speeches
by some of the other leaders in this
industry.) In short format “bullets”, here
there are:
1) For technology to “automate” a system for
our societal benefit, there needs to be a
defined process. – Laurie Orlov, Founder,
Aging In Place Technology Watch
2) The number one search term in this
industry space is “Senior Care Costs”.
— Julie Northcutt (CaregiverList website)
3) Home Care is a 1:1 patient to care giver
experience, while the average nursing home
ratio is 1:12
– Julie Northcutt (CaregiverList website)
3. Printed on: April 13, 2013
www.EmpoweringtheMatureMind.com info@EmpoweringTheMatureMind.com
What’s NEW at EtMM?
Whew, what a week we had in Chicago!
Amazing. Inspiring. Exciting… Connecting. Presenting. Experiencing… Exhausting.
That about sums up the “What’s Next Boomer Summit” and the American Society on
Aging 2013 “Aging In America” national conference last week in Chicago 3/12 to 3/16.
Issue#03 Spring 2013
The industry is truly DEFINING ITSELF as we speak. This is a “race for space”, with people
climbing the hill to plant their flag in the specific sector and segment of the market space they
want to capture, and yet we’re all doing it (just a bit) by the “seat of our pants”. What I mean is,
this entire industry is being INVENTED AS WE GO. Our world and U.S. demographic has
never been where it’s going, and there are many industries, technologies, thought leaders, and
academics that are reviewing, studying, researching, inventing, creating and striving to solve
the challenges, problems, and opportunities of the Baby Boomers and their families.
4) Telecare’s average user age is 82 years
old. But the buyer is the daughter. — Pill
Prenovitz, Product Manager – Philips Lifeline
5) The 79 million Baby Boomers represent
40% of Technology spending. (But we are
starting to lose some of our sight and
hearing, and tech needs to adapt to us) —
Gary M. Kaye, Founder of InTheBoomBox
6) There is a direct correlation between an
increase in schooling / education, and an
increase in longevity. – Gail Sheehy,
author, journalist, lecturer in the aging
industry
7) The Boomer Industry will be a $20 Billion
sector by 2020. – Mary Furlong, author of
“Turning Silver into Gold”
8) Every Baby Boomer will
be 50 years old by
2014. They look very
different as a consumer and
the start, middle, end (1946,
1955, 1964 birth years). –
Myrna Blyth, Founder of
MORE magazine, Editorial
Director AARP
9) 24% of U.S. Adults are
caring for another
adult. 30% of the U.S.
population helps a loved one
with personal issues and
tasks on a daily basis. –
Shannon Ingram, Owner
of GenAge Marketing
http://www.maryfurlong.com/
4. Printed on: April 13, 2013
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Standers “Super Pole”
Security Pole
The SuperPole™ System is an award
winning modular support system
designed for those requiring assistance
with standing, transferring, or moving
in bed.
Central to the system is a stylish floor-
to-ceiling grab bar, which provides a
secure structure that can be installed in
minutes between a floor and ceiling.
URL link to website:
http://www.healthcraftproducts.com/super
polesystem.htm
Issue#03 Spring 2013
Product Focus – R&D for A.I.P.
Video – Louis Tenenbaum speaks in a
presentation, about the “Super Pole”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player
_embedded&v=NhqtCngMXb4
Topics include:
5. Printed on: April 13, 2013
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Best of “Murph’s Mind”
Issue#03 Spring 2013
Successful “Aging-In-Place” Starts with Common Sense
Blog URL: http://empoweringthematuremind.com/forever-home-on-a-budget-starts-with-common-sense/
So if 89% of those polled by AARP favor “Aging-In-Place” as a first priority and preference, but we are still
near the bottom of a long and slow recovery in the real estate market that in some areas depreciated homes
upwards of 30% in value 4-5 years ago, what are the best ways we can still think about safely staying in our
own homes longer as we get up in age?
Each year, thousands of older Americans fall at home. Many of them are seriously injured, and some are
disabled. In 2002, more than 12,800 people over age 65 died and 1.6 million were treated in emergency
departments because of falls. 1/3 of people over 65 years old fall each year. 1/2 of those falls are
recurrent. 1 in 10 falls results in serious injury or death. 87% of elder fractures are due to falls. (More on fall
statistics in the 65+ year old sector can be found here).
Falls are often due to hazards that are easy to overlook but easy to fix.
We all get busy with our own lives, and we go about our daily routine without ever taking a moment to look
down from the 50,000 foot level. We are busy staring at the one tree in front of us in that “to do list priorities”
forest that is today, tomorrow, and the next day after that. So let’s zoom out, back up, take a deep breathe,
and LOOK AROUND in our own home. But first, please put on your COMMON SENSE glasses, the one’s
with the tint of “Oh, well THAT’s OBVIOUS” in the lenses.
A Low (or NO) Cost and Common Sense Review of your HOME:!”
1) Furniture Layout: Is the path in your home un-necessarily
circuitous to get through and around the pieces of
furniture? Are there furniture legs and arms that stick out
into the easiest route of travel through the home? Fix
it. Make moving around in your home a clear, wide, and
intuitive path.
2) Rugs: Loose rugs are one of the top culprits to elder
falls. They love to decorate, and they love their small
memory and collection items, we know that. But that little
24″x42″ rug that she got on a trip to Maine in the 70′s that lays
in front of the kitchen sink or just inside the entry door can be
the end of living at home, if we aren’t careful and
aware. “Your favorite THROW, has GOT TO GO!”
6. Printed on: April 13, 2013
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Best of “Murph’s Mind”
Issue#03 Spring 2013
Successful “Aging-In-Place” Starts with Common Sense
3) Drop Zones: Ask my wife about where she finds things of mine when
I’m on a deadline or otherwise “head down” and distracted. I leave a
trail of “set downs”, shoes on the stairs, planner on the dining room
table, keys and wallet on the window sill by the front door… you get the
idea. We all do it, and so do our parents. The difference is that if they
leave the pile of read sections of the newspaper on the 3rd step of the
stairs for the next time they go down to the garage, it could be forgotten,
and send them directly from the 3rd step to the bottom step. That minor
oversight could turn a trip to the recycling bin into a trip to the E.R.
and surgery room. Pick up and put up your things so they aren’t in your
walking spaces and routes of travel.
4) Stairs & Thresholds: Since we are talking “Better on a Budget”, I
won’t go into it here about how much cheaper a stair chair or even an
elevator in your home is vs. a slip/fall and cost of moving into assisted
living or a nursing home for the months/years ahead (Just know that IS
TRUE). Here I want to think maintenance and upkeep. Stairs with
carpets are notorious for coming loose over time. The angle and speed
the installers staple into the treads and riser corners (especially the back
interior corner) lead to attachments that aren’t fully sunken in and
secure. A loosening carpet can cause your next step to miss a stair
tread, and you’d be at the bottom sooner than you intended. Wood stairs
are slippery to many of the warm socks and slippers older folks like to
wear for warmth, and that can be a safety issue as well. Keep your stair
carpet tightly affixed.
5) Floors & Moisture: Overly-smooth floor finishes (hardwoods, tile) and “wet rooms” are also regular
culprits to serious injury falls in older Americans. This can be not just due to the occupant, but sometime
also the caregiver that’s trying to help the older person with their ADL’s (Activities of Daily
Living). Keeping your floor areas clear, and applications to the floor surfaces that help create some “grit” for
traction where floor areas get wet, are crucial to keep us safe in our home as we bathe and get ready in the
bathroom and laundry areas.
7. Printed on: April 13, 2013
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Best of “Murph’s Mind”
Issue#03 Spring 2013
Successful “Aging-In-Place” Starts with Common Sense
6) Reaching & Stability: Are you using things in your
upper kitchen cabinets that you need daily or
weekly? MOVE THEM DOWN. There is a “cost”
alternative, which is equipment to retrofit your upper
cabinets to come out and down to the user, but you can
find more on that in our winter newsletter). Getting
someone to help you re-organize your kitchen based on
what you use most, so you aren’t reaching above your
head or using a step stool as often, can go a long way to
a longer and safer life at home.
Safety in your home goes a very long way toward successful Aging-In-Place. There are a multitude of
psychological benefits to making your home safe as well. It makes you feel IN CONTROL. It makes you feel
EMPOWERED. Taking charge of your future, and how you want your home to work and function for how
you specifically use your own space is a KEY to the success of making your house your “Forever Home” for
Aging-In-Place successfully.
Most of these things can be found in other Older American resource pages on the internet, such asCornell’s
Environmental Geriatrics site. There are plenty of great links and articles that come out every day in the
news, and you can stay in touch with it all by subscribing to our online “Empowering The Mature Mind”
daily newspaper, or by going to our Facebook page and clicking LIKE to get all of our posts on making your
“second half” the best it can be, including great educational resources and information for making your home
your “forever home” for successful Aging-In-Place. If you need more specific and personal solutions, don’t
hesitate to get in touch with us!
Comics courtesy of: http://www.pruneville.com/
It’s OK to laugh a little…
Re-released hits for baby boomers:
“You’re So Varicose Vein” - Carly Simon
“How Can You Mend A Broken Hip?” - the BeeGees
“The First Time Ever I Forgot Your Face” - Roberta Flack
“I Can’t See Clearly Now” - Johnny Nash
“Papa Got A Kidney Stone” - the Temptations
“These Boots Give Me Arthritis” - Nancy Sinatra
“You Make Me Feel Like Napping” - Leo Sayer
“Once, Twice, Three Trips to the Bathroom” - the Commodores
“A Whiter Shade of Hair” - Procol Harum
“I Get By with a Little Help from Depends”
- the Beatles
“Rikki, Don’t Lose Your Car Keys”
- Steely Dan
“Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Walker”
- Herman's Hermits
“Talkin’ ‘Bout My Medication” by the Who
“You Can’t Always Pee When You Want”
- the Rolling Stones
8. Printed on: April 13, 2013
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Featured “Aging In Place” Project
Jacobs’ Custom Residence
PROJECT TYPE: Log Cabin Style, Craftsman
SIZE: 2,412 s.f. “Daylight Basement” design
CONSTRUCTION TYPE: Wood / Concrete
DESIGN FEATURES:
Under specific client budget constraints, we were able to design a daylight basement rambler in a combination
of “log cabin” and “craftsman” while also incorporating some personal styles of one of the client’s Indian
heritage. The result for these wonderful 69 year old clients was their dream “forever home” that includes
considerations for their lifestyle and age. An open living area floor plan, main floor living layout, spacious
kitchen area, 4-0 hallways, 3-0 doors, roll-in shower, on grade main entry, framing for future elevator to garage
and loft above, adaptable design & construction for the ability of future accessible modifications.
The majesty of this hilltop site with 5 acres assembled with
the top 1ac opened in grassy field and rock outcroppings,
while the remainder of the site falls off topographically to
the East and into the woods, for the remainder of the parcel.
The configuration of the site, and the home design that
reflects the assets and amenities of the site, allow the clients
to get a peek‐a‐boo view to the N / NE at Discovery Bay, and
the tops of the skyscrapers in downtown Seattle to the SE.
Riki is SO HAPPY we were able to capitalize on these site
assets with the home design and how we were able to site
the house on the property at the top (elevation) 20% of the
property.
Issue#02 Winter 2013