Advances in smart homes and devices
Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is the latest technology to make headlines. Its ability to create human-like conversation and interaction is what sets it apart from existing computer systems. Our homes are becoming more intelligent with AI-powered devices controlling our lights, thermostats and more. Such residences (often dubbed “smart homes”) are characterized by the ability to... READ MORE
Save money and energy with a home audit
One of the best ways to save money on energy costs is by scheduling a home audit from your local energy company. Below is information about free or low-cost audits, which may also provide you with devices to reduce energy use and cut costs this winter. In Maryland Pepco offers a discounted home energy assessment for customers in Maryland with an active account through the Home Performance ... READ MORE
Preventing falls at home, room by room
Many falls happen at home, where we spend much of our time and tend to move around without thinking about our safety. Here are some changes you can make to your home, wherever you live, that will help prevent falls and better ensure your safety: Floors, stairways and hallways Ensure there are handrails on both sides of any stairs, and make sure they are secure. Hold the handrails when... READ MORE
Sources for free or paid housing referrals
Imagine you’re living far away from your aging parents. One day you get a phone call from a hospital: Your mother has had a fall, the nurse says, and she can’t live at home anymore. What to do? Thankfully several companies in our area can help figure out the next steps. But some companies charge a fee, and others don’t. What’s the difference between a fee-based geriatric care... READ MORE
D.C. Housing News — October 2023
New apartments in downtown Silver Spring In May, the Leggett Senior Living Apartments opened its doors in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland, offering 267 new mixed-income housing units to adults 62 years and older. The building’s larger and market-rate apartments have already been leased, but affordable one-bedroom units are now available to those with limited incomes. The complex... READ MORE
What if you can’t afford long-term care?
As many as 8 in 10 older Americans couldn’t afford more than four years in an assisted living facility or two years in a nursing home, according to a 2023 analysis by the National Council on Aging and the LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston. This is particularly difficult for people in the monetary middle, defined by Pew Research Center as “those with an annual household income of ... READ MORE
How to turn a home into an Airbnb rental
While staying at an Airbnb in the Hudson Valley a couple of years ago, Kathy Corby realized she would love to own a home there and share it as an Airbnb. She soon bought an 1890s Cape Cod with four bedrooms and two bathrooms in Saugerties, N.Y. And in early 2021, she hosted her first Airbnb guests. Today, the rental is not only paying its own way, from mortgage to utilities, but also... READ MORE
Daily check-in services for solo agers
Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend any services that check in on older adults who live alone? I live about 200 miles from my 82-year-old mother and worry about her falling or getting ill and not being able to call for help. —Worrywart Daughter Dear Worrywart, There are actually several different types of check-in services, along with some simple technology devices that can help ... READ MORE
Move to a new home is a mixed blessing
Last spring, my husband and I moved to an over-55 community about 30 minutes north of our former home. Our new apartment is in a high-rise, on one level, less than half the square footage of our house. We left behind a spacious home with 16 stairs from entrance to bedrooms, so our knees are a lot happier here. Our neighbors are very welcoming. There is a culture of warmth and... READ MORE
Getting paid as a family caregiver
Dear Savvy Senior, I have been taking care of my elderly father for over a year, and it’s taking a toll on my finances because I can only work part-time. Are there any resources you know about that can help family caregivers get paid? —Seeking Support Dear Seeking, Caring for an elder parent can be challenging in many ways, but it can be especially difficult financially if you... READ MORE
