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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (March 14, 2018)
16 Wednesday, March 14, 2018 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon A safe home as we age By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief More and more aging Sisters residents are striving to stay independent and in their own homes as long as possible. And many are living at home with children or other family members. As we age, day-to-day liv- ing at home poses challenges and potential hazards. Some simple modifications can make a home much more liv- able and a whole lot safer for aging adults. Chris Patrick of Home Customizations in Sisters worked as a maintenance supervisor at a HUD retire- ment village, and he is well versed in the needs of an aging population. “A lot of it revolves around balance and accessibility,” he says. Installing ramps — even if they’re not needed for a wheelchair — can make it a lot easier to get in and out of the house. And a ramp mitigates the tripping hazard of a step or a threshold. Installing hand- rails in strategic places makes the house safer as a senior’s balance starts to fade. The bathroom is always a place of potential danger. Grab-bars are an essential safety item, and Patrick recommends con- sidering using a bench and a hand-held shower unit in the shower to minimize the potential for a slip and a fall. And installing non-slip surfaces inside and outside the house is a small precaution that can prevent a disastrous fall. Scott Stoery, Builder of Special Spaces, has a particu- lar interest in helping aging adults stay independent — and safe. “One of the key things we are talking about is ‘be safe at home,’” he says. Stoery emphasizes the importance of good lighting in hallways and rooms. The ability to see well can mitigate hazards. Motion sensors for outdoor lighting create both extra security and protection against tripping in the dark. Eliminate loose area rugs and extension cords that can be tripped on, and make sure your trash and recycling cans are in a protected area where ice doesn’t form. Installing a pet door can minimize the need to let a ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/USGIRL Installing ramps — even if they’re not needed for a wheelchair — can make it easier to get in and out of the house. pet in and out of the house at night, which can be safer and less stressful for the pet owner. Stoery notes that many aging adults like having a deck — but a smaller one, that is readily accessible, with comfortable seating and appropriate enclosures or screening. He says that he has actually been asked to reduce deck size to make things more comfortable for a client. Stoery also notes that orga- nization can help improve safety. Place frequently used objects in cabinets and draw- ers that don’t require climbing on a stool or bending down to a low cabinet. And baskets for essential items can avoid clut- ter that can pose a hazard. Ed Cook of 3 Sisters and Cook Contractor notes that many companies now make step-in showers and bathtubs specifically for people with impaired movement. These are much safer than a tub or shower that requires you to step up and in. He, too, rec- ommends creating non-slip surfaces and installing small ramps to make navigating both indoors and outdoors easier and safer. He advises paying atten- tion to details, like the tran- sition between a carpet and a hard floor surface. Such tran- sition points are tripping haz- ards and should be modified or eliminated. He recommends enlarg- ing doorways for wheelchair access. Cook notes that everything should be tailored to meet specific requirements. “Each individual is going to have an individual need,” he observes. “There’s some people who need more at 40 than some people at 70.” While some very basic handyman projects can make your home and yard much safer to navigate, there’s one more element that is critical both to safety and happiness, according to Scott Stoery. “Another big thing is con- necting with neighbors,” he says. If your neighbors know you and you them, deviations from routine can trigger a check-in on your well-being. “This is about the Western spirit,” Stoery says. “It’s about being aware but not being nosy.” Build er of Special Spaces Imaginative Collaborative Sustainable www.builderofspecialspaces.com Scott Stoery • 541-280-6692 ccb#209842 Scott Stoery, Builder of Special Spaces, has been building since 1981 and here in Sisters since 2002. He built the Tiny Home that was displayed at the Sustainability Fair in Eugene in 2008. For the past two years he has owned his own general construction company. From his thoughtful expression of the aesthetic of each project, to the collaboration with all clients, the experience of creating people’s construction dreams is fulfilling to all involved. Helping aging adults solve their livability con- cerns in their homes is extremely important. Whether it is creating a safer home with grab-bars, installing accessibility ramps and helping with ADA requirements, repairs or important seasonal home maintenance, he can help each person feel safe and comfortable in their home. Visit www.builderofspecialspaces.com to see a few of the wide-ranging examples of Scott Stoery’s skills — and then call and see what you can col- laborate on! Solid Rock Natural stone & engineered quartz slab countertops 541-549-8550 CCB# 173830 723 N. Curtis Ct., Sisters | SolidRockOregon.com Solid Rock produces beautiful countertops in a wide variety of natural stone, including very popular quartz surfaces. They use state-of-the-art technology to ensure that each project is fabricated with the utmost precision and care. You’ll get personalized service, from the selec- tion of material to the maintenance of the surface. From layout to details of edge shape, Solid Rock wants you, the customer, involved so that you get just what you want. Custom fabrication at a fair and competitive price means that you are getting world-class quality paired with hometown service — from a tabletop to a large commercial project. That’s what makes Solid Rock the creative difference — and you can carve that in stone. Call 541-549-8550 to arrange a free estimate and visit them at their new location at 723 Curtis Ct. in the Sisters Industrial Park.
