Keeping Older Adults Independent, Productive, and Connected.

wraaa Expo June 3, 2009

Independence Enhancing Technologies & Industries

James M Stevens, President

Caring Transitions, Inc.

Frank Kuhar, Jr., Owner

Revived Housing Developers

Presenters

Independent living is not doing things by yourself, it’s being in control of how things are done for you. (Author Unknown)

Independent Living

Traditiona

l Product or

Service

Older

Adults

Unique

Needs

SilverIndustry

Silver Industries

The number of Americans age 65 + is expected to increase from 34 million in 1995 to 62 million by 2025.

More people are over 65 than are in their teens and people are over 85 than under 5 (Lamm & Lamm 2002)

12 million elders will require care by 2020 (Brubaker and Brubaker)

Changing Demographics

The percentage of Americans 65 and older has risen to 12.6 percent, or 37.9 million, as of 2007, from 12.4 percent, or 35 million, in 2000. (U.S. Census Bureau.)

Americans aged 85 and older comprise the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population

The U.S. population aged 65 and older will jump nearly 80% when the baby boomer generation retires.

Changing Demographics

HealthcareReal EstateThe Media/AdvertisersRetailAutomobilePharmaceuticals

Industries Adapting to Aging

Largest impact of all Medicare of 1960’sLiving longerDelivery systems have changedSky rocketing costs

Healthcare

Easy Living Homes promote“Visitability” and Aging In Place

Senior Real Estate Specialists (SRES)Understand aging clients special needs

Real Estate

Market is shiftingThe younger generation has agedThe mature audience has arrived

A more sensitive attitude has developedCareful of insulting imagesStereotyped “senior”

The Media/Advertisers

“The Market” = Older AdultsGrowth of AARP products and servicesRestaurantsDrug StoresGrocery storesMany now employ seniors

Retail

Empathetic EngineersThird Age SuitsTechnological Innovation

Adaptive design changesWider door openingsGrab barsKnobs and buttons

Automobile

Senior Market accounts for 40% of all prescription drugs

New Government programsMedicare Part DOther prescription drug plans

CVS Free medication reviews for seniorsDrug companies sponsoring exercise and

health awareness clinics

Pharmaceuticals

Aging In PlaceThe goal is to stay independent, productive,

and connected to family in familiar surroundings.Modifying the homeProviding in home servicesSupportive Services and Devices

Non Medical ServicesSenior Move Management ServicesBill paying and financial choresAdaptive devices

Providing in Home Services

Reasons for the growth of this industry Social isolation is a common problem among the elderly Many older adults only need help with everyday activities IL, AL, and SNF’s are often not affordable Most seniors prefer to age in place

Services provided Assistance with ADL’s Meal prep Companionship Housekeeping Errands

Non Medical Home Care

Helping families cope with life’s third most stressful event

Moving = Change = StressEmerging industry filling a gap.Our goal is to ease the physical and emotional

aspects of a later life move, while delivering our services with compassion and respect.

Senior Move Management

Help with day-to-day financial choresServices tailored to the needs of the older

adultBill payingTracking medical claimsReconciling bank accountsHelp in navigating the “system”

Work in conjunction with other professionals

Daily Money Managers

Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS)

Modifying the home

• Adding grab bars • Installing higher toilets • Upgrading to a curb-less

shower • Widening doorways • Constructing ramps or

lowering thresholds • Enhance lighting by

adding more lighting with adjustable controls

The CAPS designation identifies remodelers that have been trained to help retirees and older adults remain in their homes safely, independently and comfortably, regardless of income or ability level, and continue to live in a familiar environment throughout their maturing years.

The Remodelers Council of the National Assoc. of Home Builders (NAHB) in collaboration with NAHB Research Center, NAHB Seniors Council and AARP created the CAPS Program.

Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist

“An approach to the development of products and environments that can be used effectively by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design”

( North Carolina State University, 1997 )

Universal Design defined…

Equitable UseFlexibility in UseSimple and Intuitive UsePerceptible InformationTolerance for ErrorLow Physical EffortSize and Space for Approach and use.

Principles of Universal Design

Consider how the alterations will affect the re-sale value of your home

Consider the cost of the alterations versus the cost of a senior community

Things to Consider

“It is likely that everyone of us will experience some type of physical challenge in our lifetime”.

A range of needs & abilities throughout the life span

Young children ----- Older adultsPeople of short stature----Tall peopleThinner people ----Heavier peoplePeople with temporary----permanent

disabilities

It affects us all…

VISITABILITY

The ability for ALL people to visit, socialize, live in a residential setting, “age in place”.

Focus on homes, not public accommodations as covered by the ADA

Attractive, Accessible Remodeling

Adaptive Technology Fire Alarms/Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Entrances/ExitsKitchensBathroomsFlooringLightingHome Layout

Making the Home Accessible & Safe

Automated pill dispensers (connected to monitoring services).

Alarm monitoring services that monitor movement or lack of movement. They keep an eye on water intrusion, HVACs equipment, smoke and carbon monoxide.

Intercoms with cameras give residents a way to screen solicitors at the front door.

Technology to allow adult children to monitor the homes HVACs, medical data and visually check on mom or dad through cameras and web cams.

Biometric & code operated entry door locks. Fire suppression hoods that shut off fuel/power to stove

and extinguish fire.

Adaptive Technologies

Residential automated door openers with remote control

Covered entrancesAttached garages, detached garages with

breezeways, or heated sidewalksStanding gardens-elevated vegetable gardens

or flower beds

Entrances , Exits, Exterior

Ramps

Remote controlled exhaust hoodPull down shelf units (Rev a shelf) –pull up

shelves for lower cabinetPot fillers and well placed sinksSit-down workspaces for food prep (perfect

place for 2nd sink)Induction cook top and front mounted

controls prevent burns and scaldingElevate dishwasher to elevate back strainWell placed outlets (front mounted)

Kitchens

Kitchen Technology

Threaded (hose ready) spigots in the shower area

Tilting mirrorsPreset water temp shower faucetsHands free sink faucetsTub cut-retrofit option for older bathtubsHumidity, motion, and timer controlled

exhaust fansUniversal designed bathtub.Walk in bathtubsPersonal toilet seats/bidets

Bathrooms

Examples of remodeling for accessibility

More examples…

Adaptive showers

Reduce or eliminate glossy/hard surfaces—this will help reduce slipping, sun glare and puddles

Low pile carpet with minimal paddingMinimize any elevation differences

throughoutUse softer flooring options-such as linoleum

and corkContrast-used to differentiate edges, danger,

and level changes

Flooring

As much natural light as possible (Vitamin D).Adjustable direct and indirect lighting.Up down/down up miniblinds to minimize sun

glare.Night lights-soft light that guides residence

from bedrooms to bathrooms safely. Stairs are also danger zones.

Motion/infrared activated lighting.Garage door openers can initiate lights inside

the home.

Lighting

Elevated half shower washing station – can be used to bathe pets and water plants

Elevated front load washer & dryer with laundry carts and folding table

Laundry room

Lever door handles and wired drawer pulls over knobs.

Pilot light switches used to indicate on/off status.

Swing away hinges.Wider hallways and doorways.Use easier to open windows that are well

placed .Appropriately placed shelving (kitchens,

baths, adjustable closet rods).Natural gas generators for backup

emergency power.

Home Layout