Seniors Solutions of Colorado

This my favorite story about right-sizing.  The charming “Miss E,” a lively woman in her 70′s told me that she and her husband had decided to sell their 2-story suburban home in Littleton, Colorado, that they had lived in for 50 years, and move into a 1300-square foot townhouse.  You can imagine how much stuff could have accumulated in that amount of time, with raising a family, and all that comes with it.

They figured they’d have a few weeks to pare down their belongings, but to their immense surprise the house sold in two days, and they had one week to get out.  Says Miss E., “We had to get rid of 70% of our stuff in that time to fit into our new home.  You cannot believe what a good feeling it was!”

I can believe, but a lot of people never do get that amazing new lease on life, till they are absolutely forced to, by circumstances.  I’m here to encourage you to take that giant leap of  faith, and do the big pare-down long before you “have to!”  Truly, it’s life-changing in a wonderful way!

Best regards,

Connie Ellefson, owner of Clear the Space, Inc. non-judgmental organizing and decluttering. 303-523-3664

Connie Ellefson, Clear the Space, Inc.
303-523-3664

Transport or Companion Wheelchair

You probably have seen many people using transport wheelchairs like the one in the photo.
These are a wonderful help for caregivers and patients alike! They are lightweight, about 20 lbs, and they fold easily so they fit in almost any car trunk. It makes going to the doctor’s office or shopping much easier. It helps my clients save their energy so they can enjoy shopping longer.
They are called transport wheelchairs (also called companion chairs) because they are designed to help the caregiver move someone safely and efficiently. They have smaller wheels than a standard wheelchair which helps reduce the weight of the device. They are so versatile and easy to fold and open. They are relatively inexpensive, costing about $100. Each one is certified to carry a specific weight (250-300 lbs) so be sure to purchase one that can handle the weight of your rider.
I use these chairs frequently in the airport while transporting patients from one state to another. I simply “gate check” the chair just before boarding the aircraft. When we reach our destination, it is right at the door of the plane as we exit. Tip: Before boarding, I quickly remove the footrests and take them onto the plane with me as a carry-on. That way I can prevent them getting lost or damaged in the luggage area and have them to easily attach when I pick up the wheelchair on the ramp as I leave the plane.
So if you are a caregiver, I highly recommend considering a transport wheelchair. It helps you move your loved one safely and efficiently. It spares your back since it is so lightweight and is easy to lift and store.

Fixation is proud to announce that, as of February 22, 2013, we have been approved as a Department of Veterans Affairs Housing Adaptation Provider.  If you are, or know, a veteran with a service-connected disability, please let them know that they may be eligible for Adapted Housing Grants.  If the service member, or you, have any questions, please call Brian Johnson, Owner of FIXATION, LLC at 303.435.0055 or Brianj@fixationllc.com, or contact the VA.

FOR COMPLETE DETAILS , INCLUDING ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, BENEFIT AMOUNTS, AND HOW TO APPLY, PLEASE GO THE BELOW LINK, OR CONTACT YOUR REGIONAL VA OFFICE.

http://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/adaptedhousing.asp

 Here are some key facts about the Adapted Housing Grants:

VA provides grants to Servicemembers and Veterans with certain permanent and total service-connected disabilities to help purchase or construct an adapted home, or modify an existing home to accommodate a disability. Two grant programs exist: the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant and the Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grant.

Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant

SAH grants help Veterans with certain service-connected disabilities live independently in a barrier-free environment. SAH grants can be used in one of the following ways:

• Construct a specially adapted home on land to be acquired
• Build a home on land already owned if it is suitable for specially adapted housing
• Remodel an existing home if it can be made suitable for specially adapted housing
• Apply the grant against the unpaid principal mortgage balance of an adapted home already acquired without the assistance of a VA grant
• The maximum dollar amount allowable for SAH grants in fiscal year 2013 is $64,960

Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) Grant

SHA grants help Veterans with certain service-connected disabilities adapt or purchase a home to accommodate the disability. You can use SHA grants in one of the following ways:

• Adapt an existing home the Veteran or a family member already owns in which the Veteran lives
• Adapt a home the Veteran or family member intends to purchase in which the Veteran will live
• Help a Veteran purchase a home already adapted in which the Veteran will live
• The maximum dollar amount allowable for SHA grant in fiscal year 2013 is $12,992.

I had an interesting experience recently which shook me up, I have to say.:-)

Since I was 31 years old I have been consistently guessed to be 5, 10, even 20 years younger than I am.  I take quite good care of myself, but really, I think it might have a lot to do with having had young-looking parents, one of which, at 82, is still keeping up the tradition.  (The other has already gone to heaven.)

The record which stands today, is being carded at the liquor store when I was 42!  (When I laughed with surprise and delight, the Iranian woman who was minding the store just grumbled, “Oh, I never know how old you people are…”)

What happened recently, at the movie, was, a well-intentioned 20-something asked me if he could offer me any age-appropriate discounts.  Since I am at least 3.1 years younger than their senior age, I was shocked and dismayed.

Afterwards I went back and told him I would demand a senior discount if I qualified, and if I wanted it, but that it sort of hurt my feelings to be asked if I was really “that old,” so to speak.  He said, “We all have to think of a polite way to inquire,” to which I replied, “Just don’t ask!”

Later, I thought, “Well, I was just being age-ist, there, since there’s obviously no shame in being 62 or 65,” but it made me wonder.  They say us Baby Boomers fear aging more than death, which sounds funny till it happens to you..!

What do you think?  Would you rather hear about a senior discount you might not be aware of, or would you rather just squeeze it out of them on your own terms??

Best regards,

Connie Ellefson, owner of Clear the Space, Inc. non-judgmental organizing and decluttering. 303-523-3664

Mom was living on her own and still doing pretty well, until she fell last year and broke her hip.  She had gone into her backyard to water her plants and caught the edge of her shoe on the sidewalk.  Mom laid on her back walk for half of the day until her neighbor stopped by and heard her cries.  Thank goodness I had given the neighbor my number.  She called me and we rushed Mom to the hospital.

Mom had surgery to repair her hip and then months of rehab and physical therapy.  I think she did pretty well for an 81 year old woman, but she just never seemed to get back to her perky self.  As the months went by, I realized that I was spending every bit of extra time driving mom to therapy; going to doctor’s appointments; stopping by her house; taking in the mail; watering the plants; writing out her bills; cleaning her house and everything in between.  I was happy to help Mom, but I can honestly say I was exhausted.

As the year has gone by, it seems the more I help my Mom, the more impatient she becomes.    I have a fulltime job; a husband at home and two kids in college; AND I am helping my mother every day.  I don’t think every person out there necessarily offers this level of kindness and care to their parent, so when she lashes out at me, it feels pretty awful.   I actually got to the point a few months ago when I just felt so resentful.  I really didn’t even want to see her or spend time with her, and the sad thing is that I really love my mother.  She and I have always been so close, so this feeling was breaking my heart.

One night when I couldn’t sleep, I was thinking about this situation with my mom and suddenly realized what must be happening for her.  Less than a year ago, my mom had been completely independent.  She lived in her own home and could manage all of the pieces of her life and with one tiny trip, her whole world changed.  Now she had to depend on someone else to get her to the doctor; do her laundry; care for her home and basically managing most aspects of her life.  Her physical condition had deteriorated as well, which also meant a loss of independence.  No wonder she was grumpy.  No wonder she was lashing out.  She had lost everything that really mattered to her and life would never be quite the same.  I have to admit, if I were to lose my independence and freedom and have to depend on another person to live my life, I would be pretty upset as well.

The next day, I sat with my mom and talked with her about my revelation.  At first she resisted the theory, but as I carefully broached the subject, a tear rolled down her cheek.  She began to cry and shared with me how scared she was and how she worried that she would never get back to the life she knew.  At that point, I knew that my theory was right.  We talked, we laughed, we both cried some more, but we also bonded again.

Mom is now back in her home, only seeing the doctor once a month now and being extra careful when she goes out to water her plants.  We both know that this lifestyle can’t last forever, but we also know good communication and honesty with one another will make any situation that arises much easier and keep our relationship strong.

Written by Carol Core, President and Founder of CarolCARE, offering resources primarily for non-paid family caregivers and their elderly loved one –  303-780-7347.