While it’s a pretty funny shirt, it’s a fact of life that we all grow old one day, and many of us will rely on our children to take care of us.

It’s always been this way, but with people living longer, it will be ever more important in the coming decades.

Some question whether Social Security will carry on, or how long retirement funds will last before they dry up.

If money becomes a serious issue, it will be imperative that many seniors live with their children.

Aging-in-Place is a great option, but if we’re going to be living past 100 years old, at some point we’ll need to find a place to live where somebody is around to take care of us.

The best thing is to start planning early and discuss every option with friends and family. So many people are afraid to discuss aging and how they will live when they’re in their 80s and beyond. This isn’t something that can wait until the last minute. Don’t be afraid to talk about the future. Do it now while you can.

And be nice to your children. Because you never what the future holds.

So, you always wanted to become a doctor. Maybe you’re just curious about what it takes to be a doctor. Either way, the infographic below, Anatomy of a Doctor, lays it all out for you.

For most kids, if they like playing doctor and decide they want to become one when they grow up, they will probably have to go to school for a long time, study biology, chemistry, and math, then add 3 to 8 years of internships and residency. By the time they turn 35 years old, they might become a doctor.

We tend to take doctors for granted. But not every person is cut out to be one. It relies on certain traits and characteristics to fit into the mold.

If the image below is too small to read, click on it to see a larger version. Thanks to RN-to-MSN.org and Obizmedia.com for this infographic.

The MIT AgeLab created the AGNES Age Suit (Age Gain Now Empathy System) that can be worn by a person so that they can “experience” what life would be like as a 74-year old person.

The Age Suit mimics what it is like to go shopping and cook in a kitchen with limited mobility, hearing and eyesight, much like what a senior in their 70s experiences on a daily basis.

The MIT AgeLab hopes to gain insight and an understanding of the aging experience to create new ideas and technologies to support the growing population of aging adults around the world.

What is included on AGNES?

– Earplugs to reduce hearing

– Yellow Goggles mimic aging eyes

- Neck Collar, Bungee Cords/Elastic Bands, Knee Braces, and Wrist Guards reduce mobility and flexibility

- Gloves reduce sensation in the hands and restrict hand movement

- Foam-padded Shoes inhibit Balance

Maybe AGNES should be included in Certified Aging-in-Place training for home builders. It would certainly give some perspective on what it is like to live in a home with daily mobility difficulties.

It only takes a minute to make a senior feel happy.

On Wednesday, February 2, 2011, we presented at Aging in Place: Transitions and Choices, held by the Conejo/Las Virgenes Future Foundation Senior Congress.

About 300 people attended the event sponsored by the foundation, which focuses on issues to improve and maintain the quality of life in the Conejo Valley.

We try to attend and speak to as many groups as possible because it gives us a chance to learn more about challenges and solutions that other seniors have faced.

We have a national consulting service and speak regularly to senior and caregiver groups and provide in-service engagements throughout southern California.

Give us a call at toll-free at (866) 902-9800 for more information.

We’d like to thank the Conejo/Las Virgenes Future Foundation for inviting us to their Senior Congress.

Ted Talk Video: How To Live To Be 100+. Dan Buettner discusses the common diet and lifestyles of people living to 100 years of age in the Blue Zones of the world.

One in every three adults over the age of 65 falls each year. Among this age group, falls are the leading cause of injury death according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Not all falls are fatal and in 2009, there were over 2 million non-fatal falls.

Regular exercise programs greatly reduce the chances of a fall. It promotes balance, a healthy body, bone and muscle strength and most importantly, brain fitness.

Periodic reviews of medications and eye exams also help to decrease the incidence of falls by reducing dizziness and maximizing vision.

Don’t forget calcium and vitamin D for your diet. Ten minutes a day of sunlight is a great way to boost bone strength.

Our business is making sure the home is safe and there is so much that can be done to promote safety in the home.

1. Make sure rugs and appliance cords are tacked down and out of the way of pathways.

2. Clear walkways of tools and other items that may cause a fall.

3. Repair loose steps inside and out and install iron railings near stairways.

4. Add grab bars inside the shower and near the entrance to the shower, next to the toilet, and even near the door leading into the home from the garage. Grab bars are inexpensive yet provide so much safety.

5. Use a cane or walker/rollator.

6. A Handybar or Car Caddie Strap make it easier to get in and out of cars.

7. Raised Toilets reduce stress on arthritic knees and joints.

8. A Super Pole can be used in any room in the house and aids in getting in and out of bed.

9. Stairlifts are a great way to make stairways safer and they can be installed both inside and outside of the home.

10. A couch cane can be used in the living room as well as lift chairs.

A complete home assessment is the best way to find out how YOUR home can be improved. If you’re in the southern California area, give us a call Toll Free at (866) 902-9800 for more information or visit our website at: www.AccessibleConstruction.com

We love the Kaiser Permanente spots – they have a great feel and make staying healthy sound almost effortless. They also offer practical advice.

In a recent post on their website they offer 10 Tips For Keeping Seniors and Boomers Healthy and Fit. Most of these are no-brainers that we already know but often-times forget to follow. So we thought they should be mentioned again.

1. Quit smoking

2. Keep active

3. Eat well

4. Maintain a healthy weight

5. Prevent falls

6. Stay up-to-date on immunizations and other health screenings

7. Prevent skin cancer

8. Get regular dental, vision and hearing checkups

9. Manage stress

10. Fan the flame — sexual intimacy and aging

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