Age in Place Prep

Age in Place Prep

Age in place

Transportation, community social interaction

Lowering cabinets, installing no step shower, ramps, enlarging doorways to 36 inches, grab bars, replacement rugs, lever handle door knobs, better lighting

Priority 1-Health and Wellness

Healthy Life

Eat well, eat real food-fruits and vegetables

Reduce processed and sugary foods
Maintain a healthy weight
Stay physically active
Hydrate
Get quality sleep 7-9 hours
Checkups
Find your passion
Connect with others
Stop complaining-if you can change it, do so, if not, move on
Stay curious

Manage stress

Get sunlight-go outdoors!

Use non-toxic beauty and household products

Express gratitude and love

Exercise-aerobic 30 min/3Xwk, weights 2Xwk, yoga (flexibility) 

Automate -Meal planning, health (drink 1/2 your weight in oz of water daily, sleep 7 hours-bed by 10, exercise 45 minutes daily-strength, cardio, flexibility), eating 1600 calories daily until ideal weight-then 1800, stress-relax, breath, weekly date)

Priority 2 - Finances

Debt free 
Emergency Savings
Retirement

Priority 3 - House

Declutter

Clothing

Books

Papers

Photos

How to stay relevant as you age...

1).  Seek Knowledge.  Education week, reading books, take a class.  You are never too old to learn something new!

2). Embrace social media.  Staying relevant means being informed and connected to those around you.

3). Stay fit

4). Go out

5). Dress to impress

6). Challenge yourself

Dollar store buys that are worth a dollar

Greeting cards

Stickers

Cleaning supplies

Travel-sized items

Table Centerpieces

Party Supplies-balloons, paper products, crepe paper, gift wrap, ribbons, bags, baskets

Storage Containers

Picture Frames

Baby Items-Bibs, washcloths, socks

Children's Books

Bathroom Items

Seasonal Decor-Halloween, Easter, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Independence Day, St. Patrick's Day

Glassware, bowls, plates, mugs

Name-brand items-Dish soap, baby wipes

Things You Should NOT Buy at the Dollar Store

Vitamins and Medication

School Supplies

Power Strips

Toys-Don't last

Food Storage Containers

Canned Goods

Things You Don't Need

Bathroom Renovation

Ventilation

Storage space

Drainage

Layered lighting and natural light

Quality finishes and materials (natural if possible)

Electric outlets inside cabinets and drawers

Shower niche and place for shampoo, conditioner, razor, etc

Grab bars and bench

Soaking tub

Private toilet area, higher toilet

Shower-curbless entrance

Door openings 36 inches wide

Adjustable shower heads

General Renovation

Radiant or solar heated driveways and sidewalks

Xeriscaping

Garden-drip system

Ramps

Luke's Addition

Fun, relaxation, privacy, socialization, developing abilities or job skills, exercise

Deep tub

In ground trampoline

Queen side bed

Swing

Extra soundproofing

Lava lamp, dimmer lights

Deck

Natural wood flooring

Relaxing colors, muted blues

Storage and locked storage

Waterproof mattress

Air circulation

White noise, air cleaner machine

Minimal art, landscapes

Noise cancelling headphones

Windows (lots), blackout shades

Kitchenette, laundry (encourage independence)

How to Improve Your Sleep

1.  Don't drink alcohol period.

2. Don't eat anything less than 3 hours before bedtime-and ideally longer.  It's best to go to bed with a little hunger.

3.  Abstain from stimulating electronics, beginning two hours before bed. Avoid screens at least 2 hours before bed.

4.  For at least one hour before bed, try to avoid anything that is anxiety producing, or stimulating such as reading work email or social media.

5.  Take a warm bath or warm shower before bed.  Once you get into the cool bed, your lowering body temperature will signal to your brain that it's time to sleep.

6.  The room should be cool, ideally in the mid-sixties.  The bed should be cool too.

7.  Darken the room completely.  Make it dark enough that you can't see your hand in front of your face with your eyes open, if possible.  If not possible, use an eye shade.

8.  Give yourself enough time to sleep.  Go to bed at least 8 hours before you need to wake up, preferably 9.

9.  Fix your wake up time and don't deviate from it, even on weekends.  Make it a priority to budget for at least 8 hours in bed every night.

10.  Don't obsess over your sleep.

I think people get old when they stop thinking about the future.  Think about dreams, aspirations, and what you are looking forward to.

Estate Planning Steps

1.  Outline your estate planning needs, goals, aspirations, and wishes.

2. Consult with an attorney specializing in estate planning or elder law.

3. Choose the right agent, executors and trustees to carry out your instructions.

4. At a minimum, sign a Last Will and Testament, Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy, and Living will.

5. Design a blueprint for your care should you become cognitively impaired.

6. Consider creating a Living Trust for asset protection and probate avoidance.

7. Store your estate planning documents in a secure location and tell your family and agents where they are located in the event of your incapacity or death.

8. Create lists of your assets, account numbers, passwords, and PIN numbers and store them with your estate planning documents.