You can watch this program on YouTube below.

Kaye, the founder of Senior Seasons, recently co-led a workshop for families exploring senior living options at a housing conference organized by Avenidas, a private, non-profit agency that has been helping mid- Peninsula seniors live well, learn, and maintain their independence for over 40 years. Following is the article written by Carol Blitzer for the Palo Alto Weekly publicizing the event.

For seniors who want to ”love where you live,” Avenidas is offering its sixth annual housing conference on that theme on Saturday, March 23, at the Oshman Family Jewish Community Center in Palo Alto.

More than 200 are expected to attend. Participants may choose one of three tracks: for people who have decided to sell their homes and move; for homeowners who want to stay in their homes; and for those who want to explore all their options. Each track offers three workshops aimed at the targeted population.

Peggy Simon and Kaye Sharbrough will be co-leading a workshop for those who just want to know what’s out there. Called “Basic Training for Savvy Explorers,” their segment will cover the concepts of aging in place, independent living, continuing care retirement communities and assisted living.

Simon, an information and assistance specialist in social work services at Avenidas, Palo Alto’s senior center and a co-sponsor of the event, describes her role as consulting with families to let them know what resources are out there. She visits and observes local places, but makes no recommendations.

Sharbrough, a former teacher and now senior housing referral specialist, operates Senior Seasons, which works with families to make decisions about senior housing. Through her agency, she constantly updates Avenidas’ Where to Live: A Housing Guide for Older Adults so she knows the latest rates as well as reputations and care levels.

“Every time one of us goes in and has an interaction, we make notes,” Sharbrough said. They then use that data to help families make decisions.

Sometimes a family needs more flexibility, she said, and she’ll know the policies on everything from memory issues to smoking or whether or not they can keep their pets.

One of the tools she uses is a workbook that the family fills out, allowing for a “neutral discussion…that really helps facilitate a conversation,” she said.

The workbook has a checklist including the possible advantages of a senior community. Items on the list range from freedom from responsibilities and chores related to maintaining a home and garden and being closer to family members to avoiding the sense of isolation and loneliness that can lead to depression and illness.

Under location, the booklet lets people check that they’d like to be close to children/family, public transportation, church, doctors or parks and paths.

Sharbrough started her agency when her own mother was planning to move from Southern California to this area. She quickly discovered how challenging it was to get up-to-date information on senior housing.

Sharbrough sees this workshop as a quick survey course, an overview of senior housing, from size of facility (the “f” word in senior housing—the preferred word is “community,” she said) to pricing on buy-ins or rentals..

“We talk about traditional senior housing, the village concept, co-housing,” Simon added.

“We can pool our resources as we age,” she said, explaining that the original Beacon Hill Village, which served as a model for Avenidas Village, was a manageable, small geographic area where seniors could share laundry, cooking or rides to medical appointments.

Avenidas Village extends from Redwood City to Los Altos, she added.

“Avenidas is a great resource for housing and seniors,” Simon said. “The conference is one tool we have to let the community know about housing options:’

Another workshop in the “exploring options” track concerns “Financial Planning for CCRCs,” where Esther Szabo, of KK Wealth Advisors will talk about affordable options.

A quick rule of thumb for determining affordability, Sharbrough said, is people should have 1.5 to 2 times the entry fee in assets as well as 1.5 to 2 times the monthly fee in income.

The one area of senior housing that is not covered in the conference is subsidized housing, Simon said, but periodic events are offered at Avenidas dealing with low-income housing.

The conference is co-sponsored by Nancy Goldcamp, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker, Palo Alto, and the Oshman Family Jewish Community Center.

Associate Editor Carol Blitzer can be emailed at cblitzer@paweekly.com

If only it were worth what we think it should be worth!  Sadly, the value has little relationship to:

• Original purchase price
• Appraised value for insurance replacement
• Friends and family comments on value
• Age, even if it is an antique
• Sentimental value to you
• Auction price a few years ago
• Value on “Antiques Roadshow” or other TV reality programs
• Collectability in past years

Today’s buyers are practical.  Before buying something at an estate sale or antique shop, they ask :

• Can I use it?
• Do I need it?
• Is it in style?  Trend setters include Crate & Barrel, Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn and IKEA.
• Does it create clutter?
• Do I love it?

If you have a family heirloom you would like to sell, please remember its value is what someone is willing to pay for it today.  If it is something you love, keep it and enjoy it!

By Judy Johnson of Unexpected Treasures

www.unexpectedtreasures.net

Nestle in the Right Neighborhood

Where you choose to live is one of the most important determinants of your happiness. If you’re looking for a retirement destination, here are some things to keep in mind: People are generally happiest in sunny areas, in the Pacific Northwest and on the water. Look for neighborhoods with sidewalks, meeting places and other characteristics that nudge you into social interaction. Easy access to green spaces and recreation also favors well-being.

Stop Shopping; Start Saving

Research shows that financial security brings much more happiness over time than buying things does. Why? Within about a year the thrill of a new item wears off, while financial security has no expiration date. Indeed, older people’s less-materialistic spending habits may explain much of their increasing happiness with age.

Make the Most of Your Morning

While a good night’s sleep is critical to long-term happiness — a University of North Texas study found that people with insomnia are 10 times more likely to develop depression and 17 times more likely to have anxiety than are people who sleep well — our morning routine is just as important. Eating breakfast every day can boost energy, and 30 minutes of walking or other exercise raises well-being for up to 12 hours.

Trim Your TV Time

The happiest people watch less than one hour of television a day, according to a study of 40,000 people who took National Geographic’s True Happiness Test. Why? We get more authentic happiness from being with family and friends, reading or engaging in a hobby.

Get a Daily Dose of Friends

Studies show that America’s happiest people get at least six hours a day of interaction with friends or family. And if you proactively choose the right social network, bliss can be contagious. Harvard University research found that with each happy friend we add to our social circle, our own happiness grows by 9 percent. For each unhappy friend, our happiness declines by 7 percent. So find people you like, and commit to routines that put you in contact with them regularly.

Find Your Soul Mate

People in long-term committed relationships suffer less stress and live longer with fewer diseases. Another bonus: Multiple studies have shown that married people are two times more likely to be happy than non-married people.

Meet, Pray, Love

While we’re not sure whether churchgoing makes you happy or whether happy people tend to be religious, research shows that people who belong to a faith-based community — regardless of religion — and attend services more than once a week live as many as seven years longer than people who don’t.

Create a Sunny Sanctuary

Increase happiness by creating a room at home where you can play an instrument, enjoy a hobby, read a book or spend time with family. Ideally, the room will be full of light, which can increase mood-enhancing serotonin levels.

Gain Peace with a Pooch

Pet owners have been found to have lower blood pressure and fewer stress hormones circulating in their blood. So if your lifestyle and budget can accommodate a pet, visit your local animal shelter and consider adopting one.

Ignite a Passion for Compassion

Giving feels good, and several studies have shown that givers tend to be happier people. In one experiment, one group of people was given money to spend on themselves, and a second group was given money to spend on others. At the end of the day, those who gave their money away reported being happier than those who spent it on themselves. Of course, you don’t have to dole out dollars to reap the benefits. Sign up to help out at your grandchild’s school, or volunteer at the local cancer center.

Seats that allow for multi-position adjustments can best situate the driver at the right height and correct distance from the pedals while providing a comfortable position for extended periods of time. Definitely consider the individual seat warmers generally available in newer models. When you are sitting in a cold car to start your day, a little warmth from behind can go a long way to thaw you out.

For those suffering from arthritis, little things can make a difference. Bigger knobs and buttons are easier to manage, and a thicker steering wheel does not require you to close your hands quite so tightly to safely navigate. The same applies to the shifter, because bigger knobs are easier to use.

Since our eyes will tend to weaken with age, well-lit dials and easy-to-see controls on the dashboard are useful. Lighting can come in a variety of colors, so look for the one that works best for you. Visibility is a big concern no matter what your age. It’s a good idea to select larger windows that allow for unimpeded viewing in all directions. And tinted windows, while adding a bit of mystery for those looking in, also makes it more difficult to see, especially when driving at night.

There are a lot of other useful features for older drivers such as a small screen on the dash that allows you to see what is behind you as you back up. You might also be able to get a vehicle with warning alarms that beep when something is in your path and beep faster as you get closer. Automatic door openers and car starters are easier than a key you need to insert and turn.

However, try to avoid overdoing it on the special features. A dashboard cluttered with too much information can be as distracting as texting while you drive. You want your attention on the road and the cars around you, not a myriad of bright dashboard goodies.

Extracted from an article by Dave Bernard written for money.usnews.com

They get everything but the exams: football games, lectures, concerts and beautiful surroundings. Many universities now offer on-campus senior housing communities that make life enjoyable.

Jim Davis lives on campus at Penn State, attends football and basketball games and works out daily at its track.  But there’s little chance you’d mistake him for an undergrad. Rather, the 75-year-old alum and his wife are residents in a new on-campus senior housing community called The Village. They’re among a growing group of active seniors returning to their alma maters, lured by fond college memories, good hospitals and the proximity of rich entertainment and cultural events. The Village’s 212 residents take exercise classes together, dine in groups at its on-site restaurant and attend lectures, concerts and other events on campus.

Dozens of college- or university-linked senior housing projects have been built in the U.S., many at such prestigious schools as the University of Michigan, Stanford, Dartmouth, Notre Dame and Oberlin.

Developers are betting that today’s seniors and tomorrow’s baby boomer retirees don’t want to be isolated in age-restricted communities, such as the Sun Cities of years past. Instead, says elder-care expert Marion Somers, Ph.D., they want to become a more integral part of the mainstream community. “This is an age group that doesn’t consider itself old,” Somers says. “They want that liveliness and energy that comes from being around younger people.”

Revenue stream

Cash-strapped universities and colleges see the senior projects as a way to generate revenue, either by leasing excess land to senior-housing developers or by simply forging closer ties with alumni donors. And there’s no better time to strengthen this bond, observers say, than in former students’ golden years, when they are more likely to bequeath a larger chunk of their estate.

Having seniors nearby can prove useful to the university in other ways, too. At Penn State, interns have used The Village to get experience in their chosen field. Kinesiology students lead exercise classes and give one-on-one fitness coaching and physical therapy to residents.  At other communities, senior music majors give recitals to fulfill their requirements and medical students help out at wellness centers.

Just the beginning

Senior housing architect Rob Steinberg, who designed the Stanford community, says senior communities on college campuses are just the next step in a move to more intergenerational retirement housing. In the years ahead, Steinberg says, we should see senior communities built next to preschools or elementary schools, oftentimes in large complexes with gyms, community centers, restaurants and shops.

Extracted from an article by Melinda Fulmer of MSN Real Estate

Despite the seriousness of our mission, that afternoon we had several laughs and shared lots of stories  but the story of her last few months was a true nightmare.  By all normal measures she should have been way over the stress scale.  Seven months previously her husband was diagnosed with a terminal illness and put on hospice care.  Three months ago he died in their home.  Luckily she had enlisted the assistance of in-home caregivers as well as hospice.  Two months ago she was told that (for several reasons) she would have to move out of her fairly remote and isolated home of 37 years.  Then she fell, hurt her hip, and had to drag herself to the street to hail some assistance.  She admitted that she was pretty overwhelmed but who wouldn’t be!

She gave a bit of a sigh and started telling me about her favorite uncle.  He was everyone’s favorite: always sought after, always the friend, always the dependable one people liked to spend time with.  One day he shared with her his secret word to live by.  “Adapt,” he said.  She leaned back in the seat and told me, “And that’s what I am going to do.  Adapt!”

As we drove under a street light I could see that she had relaxed just a bit.  What an amazing lady!

In the unassuming small Dutch town of Weesp, half an hour southeast of Amsterdam, you’ll find Hogewey, a pioneering institution that has developed an innovative, humane and apparently affordable way of caring for people with dementia. This is a compact, self-contained model village on a four-acre site on the outskirts of town, with wide boulevards, cozy side-streets, squares, sheltered courtyards, well-tended gardens with ponds, reeds and a profusion of wild flowers. The rest is neat, two-storey, brick-built houses, as well as a cafe, restaurant, theatre, mini-market and hairdressing salon.

Hogewey’s 152 residents, all classified by the Dutch NHS as suffering from severe or extreme dementia, are cared for by 250-odd full- and part-time staff (most of them qualified healthcare workers, the rest given special training), plus local volunteers. They live, six or seven to a house, plus one or two carergivers, in 23 different homes. Residents have their own spacious bedroom, but share the kitchen, lounge and dining room.

Two core principles governed Hogewey’s award-winning design and inform the care that’s given here. First, it aims to relieve the anxiety, confusion and often considerable anger that people with dementia can feel by providing an environment that is safe, familiar and human; an almost-normal home where people are surrounded by things they recognize and by other people with backgrounds, interests and values similar to their own. Second, maximizing the quality of people’s lives by keeping everyone active and focusing on everything they can still do, rather than everything they can’t.

So Hogewey has 25 clubs, from folksong to baking, literature to bingo, painting to cycling. It also encourages residents to keep up the day-to-day tasks they have always done: gardening, shopping, peeling potatoes, shelling the peas, doing the washing, folding the laundry, going to the hairdresser, popping to the cafe.

The homes belong to seven different “lifestyle categories”: not periods frozen in time, such as the 50s or 60s, but more moods evoked through choice of furnishing, decoration, music, even food. Outside in the sunshine, residents sit at garden tables in front of their houses eating ice cream. Washing hangs on a line. No doors – apart from the main entrance, with its hotel-like reception area – are locked in Hogewey; there are no cars or buses to worry about (just the occasional, sometimes rather erratically-ridden, bicycle) and residents are free to wander where they choose and visit whom they please. There’s always someone to lead them home if needed.

http://money.msn.com/baby-boomers/granny-pods-vs-nursing-homes-hsh.aspx

Last week one of our clients, whose husband has advanced dementia, decided to keep him at home as long as she could.  This is very admirable.  However, she is still working so she needs to hire caregivers to come into their home for several hours a day.  After pricing a few options she decided to place an ad in the paper and seek a caregiver for about $10 an hour.  This is a scary idea on several different levels.  Senior Seasons agrees with most geriatric professionals that families should work through a home care agency rather than hire a caregiver directly.  Yes, it may be more expensive, but the better security, oversight, and reduced liability are well worth the peace of mind they bring.

First of all, who is that caregiver?  A legitimate home care agency will do background and criminal checks and will follow up on the person’s references.  They will train and supervise the caregiver.  If the caregiver is sick, the agency will schedule a replacement.  They will have insurance and bonds in case of a problem—a very important point to take into account.

Second, be aware of your responsibilities when you have an employee in your home.  A home care agency should be paying the caregiver’s salary, state and federal taxes, SSI, Worker’s Compensation, and medical insurance.  If they are not, then YOU have to.  Keeping track of all the laws and taxes is a lot of additional work for you in an already stressful time.  And if YOU are doing the payroll and taxes, do you have enough liability insurance to cover an injury if the caregiver gets hurt?

If you would like recommendations for a reputable home care agency in your area, give Senior Seasons a call (877-373-6467).