Communities feature fur, fins and feathers
Through the nonprofit Pets on Wheels program, volunteers bring therapy dogs — dogs that enjoy human contact and have been trained to be at ease in all situations — to interact with residents of hospitals, nursing homes, schools, retirement communities and more.“My stress and anxiety just disappear when I’m playing with one of the dogs,” said Linda Schoene, a... READ MORE
Technology to help you stay independent
Though the vast majority of people want to “age in place” by staying in their homes as they get older, safety and health issues and social isolation can interfere with that plan. Fortunately, a growing number of state-of-the-art digital tools — including smartphones, GPS, voice activated and sensor technology — can better enable us to stay where we are indefinitely. With these ... READ MORE
Group homes offer individualized care
When Olney resident Jimmy Schrider suffered a stroke last year, his wife Barbara, 80, realized he would need extra care to maintain his quality of life. She felt that full-time homecare services would be too costly, and that larger assisted living communities didn’t seem to be the right choice for them, either. A social worker at her husband’s rehabilitation facility suggested nearby ... READ MORE
Programs assist with home modification
Most of us would like to remain in our own home as we age, but to make that possible, home modifications may be called for. Fortunately, to help you adapt your home to suit your needs as you age in place, loans and grants are available from federal, state and local governments, as well as from the VA, nonprofit and private organizations, and other agencies. Browse the Home Repair and... READ MORE
How to make a small room feel bigger
As the weather gets colder and we come indoors, it’s easy to wish your indoor space had some of the open, airy feeling of the outdoors.It is possible to make a room feel larger than it really is: Choosing the right colors and finishes and arranging furniture properly can create the illusion of space.Here, three experts on designing small living spaces share their strategies for making ... READ MORE
Making the move to independent living
When Mary Gonzales decided to retire from her career as a pediatric nurse and move here from New York last year, she knew she was in for some big changes.Gonzales wanted to spend time with her daughter, who had moved to the D.C. area long ago. “She’s my only child, and my decision was that when I retired, I would move here, especially since I have two grandchildren, age 3 and... READ MORE
Moving my mother into assisted living
If I could pick one word to describe my mother, it would be “independent.” But as she has aged, chronic orthopedic issues and COPD slowly claimed her ability to move comfortably.We recently made the difficult decision that the best living situation for her is in an assisted living community. This is the story of how she found her new home.While I have always stood by, ready to... READ MORE
Choices abound for independent living
How and where we live is a major decision for many of us as we get older and our lifestyle changes. For those who do not require the care offered by assisted living facilities — such as help with bathing, dressing, and keeping track of medications — independent living communities are an attractive option.Independent communities are designed to make their residents’... READ MORE
How to get financial help to age in place
The vast majority of older adults say they prefer to remain in their own homes for as long as possible.Those who need assistance with the ordinary activities of daily life, or even long-term custodial care, may bring in private help if they have the means. And some choose to move to assisted living or continuing care communities where their needs will be taken care of — again, if ... READ MORE
What factors make a community ‘livable’?
Do you consider your community “livable”? If not, what would make it so? Or where would you move to find one?AARP has developed a new web-based tool called a “livability index” to help people of all ages define what they mean by livability and to measure the level of it at various states, cities and neighborhoods.The index can also help policymakers and advocates... READ MORE
