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Senior Summit in OKC A Great Success

8/16/2012

 
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Presenters: Pat Darlington, Kay Stewart and John Harned
Oklahoma County has more than 110,000 citizens over the age of 60 and local organizations and country government recently stepped up to support and provide options to their large elder population.  This week, the United Way of Central Oklahoma, AARP Oklahoma, the Oklahoma State Homebuilders Association and the Oklahoma County Government sponsored a Senior Summit to provide information, knowledge and options to more than 100 seniors in attendance. 

By all accounts, it was a great success. The feedback provided by those seniors clearly indicated that living in a home of their own choosing was at the top of the list. 

Break out sessions with the seniors gave the organization leaders great feedback on what might be on their minds and what just might be needed to take care of this significant group of Oklahomans.  While concerns about the deterioration of local neighborhoods, home maintenance and public transportation were clearly indicated, the majority also stated that being in their own home was top of mind, especially if certain modifications could be made that would increase the level of comfort, security and safety. Wider doors, bathroom safety, energy efficiency and elevating dishwashers were options the seniors stated would be in their list of preferences.
 

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Christi Jernigan and Blair Schoeb
Hosted by Ray Vaughn, Chair of the Board of Oklahoma County Commissioners, several speakers offered a variety of housing and home environments, from assisted living to co-housing to updating a home for a lifetime.  Kudos go to Blair Schoeb, Senior Vice President at United Way of Central Oklahoma, Mike Means, the executive director of the OK State Home Builders Association, Sean Voskuhl, the State Director of AARP Oklahoma and Christi Jernigan, the Director of Oklahoma County Social Services for all the hard work they put forth to organize this event.  

Also in attendance during an afternoon session were business, professional and tradespeople including homebuilders, developers, Realtors, physical therapists and bankers, all who were interested in the business opportunity created by the 73 million baby boomers who are looking for options in their later lives. 


Outcomes from the summit will include a report to the participating organizations that will indicate the services and resources seniors may need in choosing the type of housing that is right for them.  

A special shout out go to hosts, Blair and Christi for inviting Michael Thomas, FASID to participate in the event and for making his return trip to Central Oklahoma such a great success.  ;-)     



Aging In Place: Alive On Arrival

11/21/2011

 
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Oklahoma State University
I had the opportunity to visit the campus of Oklahoma State University for several days last week and what I learned is that aging in place is alive and well ~ at least for the students, OSU faculty and local Stillwater OK residents.  In addition to meeting the educators associated with the Human Sciences Department, I had the chance to engage with the students in the interior design program and provide some insight on the practice of design.  There was also a one hour workshop on aging in place at the School of Architecture for nearly 50 people who braved the cold to come out and learn more about this cultural evolution.

What was great about last week was the diverse groups of people I had the chance to meet who are all talking about aging in place - but from different points of view.  The gerontologists spoke of this topic from social barriers. Another group was creating an older 55 development in far west Stillwater and yet another group was planning a seniors co-housing community that is ready to break ground this week for the construction of 24 homes. Representatives from the United Way of Central Oklahoma also chimed into the conversation during the week long trip and spoke about a symposium they will hold in the Spring of 2012.  Students were being educated on creating residential spaces with an aging client.  There was even a financial consultant on hand in one meeting to share how elders were facing challenges in light of the current economic environment and what solutions there are for this group. 

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So while the American economy may have delayed many from taking a planned retirement, and some being forced to consider their future live and work environments, aging in place was on the lips of many in Stillwater, a community an hour north of Oklahoma City.   

If there was a lesson to be learned from the experience to engage with such a diverse audience, it was this:  There is a need to create a larger conversation and venue among all the parties who see this evolution as something more than just a trend.  It is an opportunity to raise the standard of life and quality of care for millions.   

With 76 million baby boomers contemplating their retirement and with the previous generation living longer years, we have an obligation to create all sorts of spaces that will support and sustain a quality of life that allows one to choose independence over dependence.

Imagine the possibilities to bring together designers, architects, builders, financial planners, real estate professionals, occupational and physical therapists and gerontologists together. Just imagine the outcomes as these groups cross pollenate and as a result the development of programs to educate the elders and boomers about their options as they look to their later years.  And imagine the support that could be created by joining forces to help those with limited abilities to stay in a place of their choosing and at a cost they can afford,... saving the taxpayer in the long run from having to provide the resources to institutionalize so many.

As Ted Drab, ASID, OSU senior professor and educator stated during at the conclusion of last week's activities, "Your trip to OSU was to be a catalyst to get the departments of human sciences to start talking with one another and you helped us succeed."  But the amazing things was that the conversation grew rapidly to include so many outside the OSU design department and it clearly shows that Aging In Place is alive and well. 

How About High Style Universal Design?

8/24/2011

 
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Some time ago, a senior moment here,... as I think it was about 8 years ago, I had the opportunity to attend a healthcare symposium in Orlando at their mammoth Orange Country Convention Center.  In conjunction with the event, there was a rather small product expo that showcased a number of vendors who cater to the "homecare / personal nursing" market. 

There were a few products that were interesting such as a fully-lockable, 5" deep medicine chest that was made to fit between the studs in a wall, a grab bar - what I prefer to call a balance bar - that was made from glow-in-the-dark material, and a shower seat made from recycled teak with a design that was so amazingly beautiful that it really should have been marketed to designers for use in a entry hall, foyer, at the end of the bed or in a living room.  It was just that good looking.  Great looking products that can be safe and supportive of one's independence yet provide a sense of style would be most warmly welcomed by both baby boomers and all of us designers. 

Wandering the convention center thru the miles of aisles, I came into a section where small specialized vendors had designed and executed very creative designs for wheelchairs.  One in particular was crafted from lightweight graphite with racing-style wheels, interchangeable leather seat and back cushions and a slick paint job in what I would call Ferrari red with black accents.  


It really was something to see and I remarked to the young gentleman - his name was Jim - who was the designer that it was like a fine piece of art.  Jim just grinned from ear to ear as he looked up at me from his seated position in this striking wheelchair design.  He told me that he lost use of his legs since his accident on the ski slopes and could not find a chair that didn't look like it was from some institution.  So having been educated as an engineer, Jim decided to create something special that would be comforting as well as great looking.  And he did.  I asked him what something like this Ferrari chair might sell for and he suggested that he had at least $1,800 in materials alone so I'm thinking it would be well above $3k once it hit the marketplace.

But it makes me wonder, even today,...some 8 years later, why we don't see more really cool designs for wheelchairs like Jim's. Designers like myself create high style interiors - and exteriors - that allow anyone to live with a high measure of independence in an environment that is also visually great but safe, comforting, functional and secure. Seems that there would be demand for a high style chair that is visually sensational but also functional, safe, and secure.  Just wondering.  
Universal design meets Bauhaus might be a start.  What do you think?

What's Next After Next: Green Design + Aging In Place = Sustainable Humanity

8/10/2011

 
Who hasn't heard at least something about green or sustainable design?  

One would have had to be on a planet in the third solar system past the sun not to have at least learned something about the need to conserve our planet's resources.  And the same goes for the concept of designing spaces to accommodate people as they age, what many know as universal design for aging-in-place.  So once these concepts are broadly accepted by consumers and clients, what's next?

I propose that what's next is the merging of those into one larger movement.  After all, green design focuses on environmental sustainability.  Universal design on social sustainability. It seems then only logical that thru the design of environments, the quality of the human experience would be elevated by combining independency thru barrier free spaces with those that provide high quality indoor air (as an example, thru the use of paint finishes with low VOCs.)  This would no doubt result in exceptional environments that enhance the quality of the human experience.
  
Seems simple when you think about it.  
Sustainable Design For Aging In Place. 
That's what's next after next. 

Read A Recent Review of the Book Residential Design For Aging In Place.

7/26/2011

 
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Many in the design community have provided great comments and reviews of the book Residential Design For Aging In Place written with my colleague and dear friend, Drue Lawlor, FASID.  We are pleased that architects, designers and builders have found the information to be helpful in their projects.  

But also we have received emails from consumers who see the increasing value of making the changes that embrace the concept of living with independence.  How good is that?

In a recent review published on the blog of Cosmo Architectural Design Homes, the post said, "The book is well organized so readers can pinpoint a specific topic to learn about; however, I found myself so drawn into the information that I read the book cover to cover! The uniqueness of this book is the thorough research that Lawlor and Thomas conducted.  

To read the entire post, CLICK HERE. 

To learn more about how to purchase your own autographed book, CLICK HERE.

    Michael A. Thomas, FASID, interior designer in Phoenix, AZ
    Michael A. Thomas, FASID

    Welcome To This Boomer's Design Blog!

    Michael A. Thomas, FASID is an author, writer and interior designer who as a caregiver developed a passion for creating homes without barriers, maximizing the independence of his clients and having a little fun along the way.  
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    Feel free to contribute your thoughts in this blog.
    _________________________

    Co-Author: Residential Design For Aging In Place.  To learn more, CLICK HERE. 


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