Posted on 03/04/2006 3:02:34 AM PST by Aussie Dasher
BABY boomers need to shrug off their "Peter Pan" mentality and prepare their homes for wheelchairs and lifting equipment, an aged care conference in Mildura has been told.
While improvements in health care meant people were able to live at home longer, house designs were not always supportive, according to strategic planner and social commentator Dr Keith Suter.
He said there had been a growth of Peter Pan-style developments.
"These are areas developed by baby boomers who think they will never grow old, and which will be unsuitable for them when they have problems later with hips etcetera."
Instead of looking at where to put the latest entertainment system or gym equipment, baby boomers should be looking for homes with fewer steps, bedrooms large enough for lifting equipment, hallways wide enough for wheel chairs and reinforced walls that could be fitted with grab rails.
"Homes that are obviously built for older people are harder to sell to boomers, but retro-fitting homes in Peter Pan precincts later will be expensive," Dr Suter said.
He said boomers should also look for safer environs with less hedge to discourage potential robberies, and streets with safe pedestrian crossings.
I'm still not gonna grow up. Don't wanna.
So there! :-P
Anybody who took care of an aging parent - as I am now - should see the writing on the wall. My husband and I have made changes to our home to accomodate my mom, but we are looking at how it will benefit us later on when our turn comes. Like it or not, that's reality. The 'flower children' had best wake up and prepare for it.
"Goodness, that's gloomy. "
It is, I'm with you Allegra!
When/if the time comes, I will move. Until then they can stick this advice where the sun doesn't shine.
No different than saying to me - "Yo dude, give up the corvette and buy a van with a wheelchair lift now".
Dad was 86 and Mom was 84.
No matter how well designed the house was, my mother tripped where the dining room carpet met the kitchen tile floor and her fall shattered one of her legs, ultimately leading to her death last year.
Falling is the big fear. Great attention should be paid to all floor surfaces, from the walk-in or wheel-in shower to carpet/smooth floor transitions.
Get grab bars that a soapy hand can grip.
Independant seniors should still be monitored by a service or family members on a daily basis, around lunch time when the dangerous showering period has passed.
I wish all the best of luck to all in dealing with their own particular situations.
Figures that the "I hope I die before I get old" (then didn't) Generation wouldn't realize the obvious.
The Wall Street Journal proclaimed some months ago that "60 is the new 40". With a photo of a 60-ish couple riding around in a new sportscar. Don't say.
I've been thinking of upgrading my sportcar to a sleeker, faster model anyway.
LOL - right on!
It's like they think we're all too dumb to figure these things out on our own.
They get off on telling us. ;-)
"Independant seniors should still be monitored by a service or family members on a daily basis, around lunch time when the dangerous showering period has passed."
My father (85) lives in a gorgeous independent living place where he has his own apartment (one of the Erickson communities), and they have a good system. At night, a security person goes around and flips up a lever against each apartment door. Anytime the door is opened, that lever will fall again. The security people do the rounds about noon the next day; if any levers are still in place from the night before, they check.
hehe I can't imagine a Vette with a motorized chair lift! Maybe Craft-matic will make a driver's seat that helps you get out?
Ah, just get a rocket bike. It's easy to clean lovebugs out of dentures...
I did. :-)
2005 C6 Lemans Blue Vette.
ROFL! :-)
The damn thing is so low to the ground now, might not be a bad idea. LMAO!
I'm still not gonna grow up. Don't wanna.
You just gotta find the right wheelchair!
When/if the time comes, I will move.
Tim Allan Special?
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