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How To Make Your House A Home For An Elderly Loved One

How To Make Your House A Home For An Elderly Loved One

If you have a loved one who is getting on in years, you may be considering having them move in with you, especially if they are having trouble with mobility or cognitive issues. It can be an overwhelming process, however, and it comes with many things to think about. Keeping your loved one healthy, happy, and safe is a big job, and you may need help. It might also be necessary to make some changes to your home to ensure that your loved one is comfortable.

Here are some of the best ways to make sure the senior in your life is well taken care of.

Talk to their doctor

If your loved one has a lot of health issues, it may be necessary to talk to their doctor before making any decisions. You’ll want to be informed regarding their medications, appointments, and any machinery they may need to keep up their daily health. Make an appointment with your loved one so you can both sit down with their doctor and talk about what needs you’ll need to help meet.

Make some changes

Take a look at your home and assess what changes need to be made for your loved one to be comfortable and safe. Look room by room to seek out possible hazards; for instance, the kitchen should be well organized with clear labels on each shelf and the cleaning supplies kept well away from the food. Bathrooms should be equipped with grab bars in the shower, non-slip rubber mats, and you might consider installing an elevated toilet or padded seat. Lighting should be added to hallways, closets, and living areas, and rugs should be tacked down or taken up completely to prevent falls.

Consider their needs

If your loved one does have health issues that require a lot of attention, medicine, or machinery, think about how that will affect everyone’s daily life. Anything electrical will affect your utility bills and will need a backup generator in the event of a power outage. Outside of the physical, your loved one may require their own belongings and mementos to help them feel comfortable in their new living situation. If they suffer from Alzheimer’s, having familiar things around may help them recover memories.

Help them stay social

Maintaining an active social life is an important part of senior years, so help your loved one find friends and get out of the house. They might be interested in joining a gardening club or even an exercise club that meets a few times a week. Walking in the park or taking a water aerobics class can help them stay active and vital.

Consider daily care

Depending on your job, you may have trouble taking time off to take care of your loved one, so it’s important to consider finding a home healthcare aid to come in on certain days and help you. These professionals can assist you with household chores like laundry as well as help administer medication and perform daily tasks like bathing and feeding your loved one should they become infirm.

Moving a senior into your home is a big decision and comes with many things to think about, so do some research before making anything final. Consult your loved one to find out their needs and keep communication open with your family so that everyone is on the same page, as it can be difficult to maintain a healthy atmosphere if someone feels that they are left out on the decision making.

 

 

5 Easy Spring Home Improvement Projects

5 Easy Spring Home Improvement Projects

Spring is the sign of new life and new beginnings, and even your homes can reflect that change! And while you may be looking into heavy renovations such as gutter cleanup or roof repairs, even your smaller furnishings can also use a little updating to make your home more spring-like. Spring into action this Spring with these home renovation tips that can take your home to a breezier, lighter atmosphere befitting the season!

  1. Experiment with character

Wall textures such as exposed brick or grunge walls and accent walls are all the range these days. They are great accents that can bring life to a space, can make for a great background (especially for pictures!) and can add character to otherwise plain walls. Peel-and-stick wall panels (for textures) and peel-and-stick paper (for accents) are great for this job as they won’t need you to take down a wall and have it rebuilt with your chosen texture – just peel and stick to your existing walls, and they’re up!

This can also be done with floors. Peel-and-stick tiles or wood plank flooring can give your house a different kind of edge and personality depending on what character you’re going for, and they can make the whole room look refreshed and new as well.

  1. Update your fixtures

Sometimes, a little difference between your fixtures can mean the difference between a suffocating, drab home to an airy, comfortable one. The style, color, and the way you group together fixtures can drastically affect the way any room looks with them. A big player in this are light fixtures: even changing the tint of light that you get can make your room look more open and bright as opposed to dimmer lights that would probably work more with colder seasons.

If you’re not ready to invest in new couches or cabinets, consider replacing some accent fixtures such as lights and other small decorations for ones that fit the season. Changing sofa covers or having cabinets, chairs, and tables repainted can also be inexpensive ways to add a new image to your home!

If you’re not sure that the pieces you pic go well together or if you can find them all in one place, don’t worry. As it is one of the most commonly-bought items online, home furnishing and decors that you need can be found with a few clicks. The internet can also help you find what you’re looking for based on your past searches, interest, and preferences.

  1. Lighten up your windows

A key characteristic of changing your home atmosphere lies with your windows. When they are closed or accentuated with heavy drapery, it can look heavy, cold or drab. Heavy curtains are perfect for colder seasons, but for a season such as Spring, lightweight curtains are the way to go. Curtains made of lace or other thin cloths (often in light shades as well) can let more light to flow into the room, as well as added ventilation from outside. For an added touch of nature, you can also go with bamboo shades, or even bold and graphic with geometric panels.

  1. Update even small details

Even the simplest details in your home can make enough of a difference. Vases, statuettes, frames and even mirrors can change the way the entire room looks and feels depending on how well they accentuate a certain theme or mood. In fact, even a simple space such as a living room have certain points that need to be taken into consideration when redesigning it.

And even if you’ve never really thought about it, handle pulls and knobs can also affect the way the overall room looks. Old-fashioned, worn, and dirty handles can spoil an otherwise freshly-updated cabinet or door. And contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to use eccentric, out-of-this-world styles for them to stand out. As long as they complement the rest of their surroundings, you’re well on your way to having a visually-appealing room!

  1. Don’t neglect your backyard (or your small outdoor space)!

Spring is all about enjoying the great outdoors, and that goes without saying that your outdoors should reflect that, too! Plant flowers and shrubs, have some outdoor seating or lounge, and even decorate it with outdoor lights and garden knick-knacks such as bunny or fairy statuettes! For those who don’t have rolling lawns, project the image of nature with a few potted plants – the more colorful, the better! If you are worried that you have very little time for maintaining plants with your lifestyle, don’t worry – there are plenty of low-maintenance plants that you can cultivate!

Spring is definitely the best time to update your house. From the warm, cozy, but heavy setup from last winter to the airy, bright and cheery vibes of spring, it’s like being one with the change! So go ahead and give new life to your homes for the turn of the season!

Guest Post By:

I am Carlton Coleman and I am the owner of SIGN WITHIN superstore, which is an e-commerce business under the umbrella of the The Sign Within Academy, LLC.  This company seeks to not only provide an online shopping experience with great deals, discounts, and rebates but to partner and support non-profit organizations that speak to hearts, stretch minds and serve the whole of humanity to further their causes.  I am a strong believer that you make a living by what you get but you make a life by what you give.

3 Factors To Consider Before Your Home Renovation Consultation

3 Factors To Consider Before Your Home Renovation Consultation

Renovating the home is a way to change the appearance of any aspect without completely starting over. There are several reasons as to why you might want to renovate the home, such as increasing the comfort level for family members or adding more space so that children have room to spread out. You can do some of the work on your own to save some money, but there are a few things that you might want to leave to a professional construction company, such as electrical renovations or improvements with plumbing. Before you meet with any contractor or talk about a renovation project, there are some factors that you want to consider.

Work Alone Or Hire Help

One of the first things that you want to do is decide whether you want to do the work on your own or let someone else tackle the task. You can save a lot of money if you do everything yourself, but you have to keep in mind that you might spend more in the long run if you mess something up or don’t get something installed the right way. If you’ve done any kind of the work before that you want to do to the home, then you can probably do the basics or even some of the detailed aspects, but major work should be done by a professional. You also need to think about the budget that you have to work with as this will play a part in exactly what you can do in the home and the details that you can add.

Consulting With Professionals

It might be best to talk to a dedicated construction administration to get a few ideas on what you could do in the home and what might need to wait until you have a bit more to invest. A benefit of working with a consultant is that you’ll have someone on your side who understands the latest concepts, trends and methods of renovating. The consultant can work with other people who are able to work with different aspects of the project, such as electricians and painters, in order to get the job done as quickly as possible. You’ll be working with someone who has experience in the area of construction and will have more info, where you might not know everything in the field. The person will understand all of the building codes and the other standards that you need to abide by in order to renovate.

The Right Timing

Completing a renovation project needs to be done at the right time. If your family can’t be inconvenienced with a bedroom that is being painted or that has new floor being installed or a kitchen that has drywall being replaced or new cabinets being installed, then you might want to wait until everyone is on the same page. A contractor will be able to have the job done in a shorter amount of time because there are more people to work at once, and the people who are working have done the jobs so many times that they know the easiest ways to complete a project. However, it will still involve being out of a room for at least a few hours each day until the renovation is complete. If the bathroom is being renovated, you need to be ready to make sacrifices by using someone else’s bathroom or have a second bathroom ready in the home.

A renovation in the house can be challenging, but it can be one of the most rewarding things as you will have a new look in the home. Think about the reasons why you want to renovate and the budget you have to work with. Take pictures of the home before and after to see the benefits of what you’ve done.

How To Hire A Good Home Improvement Professional

home improvement

Unless you’re an extreme DIY-er, there will probably come a time when you need to hire a home improvement professional. Whether you want to have your entire house redone or just need some touch-ups, you’ll want to make sure that anyone you hire for the job is definitely the right person. Before you sign a contract or hand over any money, make sure you do the following to hire a good home improvement professional:

Ask for recommendations. Family, friends, neighbors, and other acquaintances can be a great source of information on the quality of a home improvement professional. You can also look online for reviews of a professional and his/her services. A good subcontractor will be easy to contact, ready and willing to answer questions, and know how to connect with general contractors and other subcontractors in the area. Ask for customer testimonials, samples of the professional’s past work, and contracts you can read through in advance.

Shop around. Remember that you get what you pay for — sometimes the cheapest option is not the best. On the flip side, you don’t necessarily have to pay a mint to find a quality contractor or subcontractor. Plan ahead and give yourself time to find the right home improvement professional at a good price. If you’re unsure what a good price is for your particular project, do some research online and ask for a cost breakdown for your project.

Make sure your professional is fully licensed and credentialed. Most subcontractors, such as electricians and plumbers, need to be licensed according to state and local laws. Their license information should be either on display in the office or readily available when you ask. You should also look for professionals who are certified or recognized in their field — look for membership in groups such as the National Association of the Remodeling Industry or the National Association of Home Builders as well as professional niche associations (plumbing, electrical, home design, etc.).

Don’t hire an uninsured contractor. Insurance protects you and it protects them in case of any unforeseen disaster or problem. Don’t be afraid to ask for proof of insurance or have it written into your contract.

Be honest about your budget. The last thing you want is to have to bail on a home improvement project halfway through or go into debt to finish it. Know what you’re able to pay before you sign any contract and make sure that your contractor knows as well. Make sure that your professional respects your limits and will not make financial decisions on a project without your input and approval.

Make sure anyone you hire is easy to contact and communicate with. You should be in touch with a lead person on any large project and be able to ask them questions and contact them as needed (during business hours). A contractor or subcontractor that doesn’t communicate or is hard to get in touch with may make your project harder to complete on time and within budget.

Do your due diligence before signing a contract. Make sure you read a contract in full and are completely happy with the terms. Check with the Better Business Bureau and your local Chamber of Commerce to make sure there are no complaints against the contractor or the company itself.

Ask if the professional offers a warranty. If anything about your home improvement project fails or breaks after completion, you need to know how to fix it. Not all home improvement professionals offer warranties on their work, but remember that it may be worth paying a little extra for the warranty.

Jessica Kane is a professional blogger who writes for Scaffold Store, the favorite and trusted scaffold supplier of the largest contractors.

Why To Consider Wheel-Chair Accessibility When Remodeling Your Home

Why To Consider Wheel Chair Accessibility When Remodeling Your Home

Whether you’re on the verge of retirement or still enjoying your youth, you might find yourself suddenly facing a wheelchair scenario in your home. An unexpected health emergency can happen at any time and leave you or a loved one temporarily or permanently unable to walk. A visiting family member or friend might also suddenly need to use a wheelchair. Given these possibilities, it’s important to make certain that your home is wheelchair accessible.

Here are three areas that you should definitely update during your next remodel:

Home Entry And Exit

A short incline ramp leading to your front or back door can make it much easier for you or a loved one to access and exit your home as needed. A ramp can also make it easier for emergency services personnel to wheel you or a loved one out of your home on a wheeled stretcher during a major health crisis. To prevent wheel slide-offs and make walking easier for someone transitioning from a wheelchair after an acute health event, make certain that the ramp is outfitted with rails and thin, non-slip permanent mats or runners.

Mobility In The Kitchen

When someone must use a wheelchair, they often experience problems with moving around a kitchen and accessing storage and appliances that are at counter and upper wall level. To make your kitchen wheelchair-friendly, open up the space so that all foot traffic areas are wide enough for a wheelchair. Additionally, install cabinets and storage that offer features that allow you to make future wheelchair adjustments. For example, you might install an island that has a hidden folding tabletop that when unfolded allows someone in a wheelchair to use it as a work space.

Bathroom Ease Of Use

Many homes have small bathrooms with cabinet-style sinks and full bathtubs that are almost impossible to use with a wheelchair. Create more wheelchair space by moving a bathroom to a larger room, taking out a wall or installing a low pedestal sink. It’s wise to contact bathroom upgrade specialists like the team at Four Seasons Home Products to help you design a wheelchair-accessible bathroom. They can recommend and install a seat-style low-threshold shower or walk-in tub to make it easier for someone in a wheelchair to access and use a shower.

There are many other ways that you can make your home more wheelchair accessible. These areas are typically the ones that initially cause the most problems when someone must transition to interacting with a wheelchair.

House in Flames: How to Restore and Rejuvenate Your Home after a Fire

House in Flames

Local fire departments respond to over 358,000 residential fires every year, and these disasters can change your life forever. In addition to structural damage, you might find yourself struggling to find important documents and prized personal possessions. While you will no doubt be in a state of shock for at least a short period of time, you need to immediately begin taking steps to restore your home as soon as the fire has been put out.

Contact Your Insurance Provider

Almost all home insurance providers require their clients to notify them of residential fires as soon as reasonably possible. Even if you are not ready to begin dealing with a claims adjuster, you should still speak with your insurance company about getting an advance. An advance can help you cover some of the initial costs such as replacing your clothing and toiletries. You must also track your living expenses during that time if you have a “loss of use” clause in your insurance policy.

Assess the Damage

Assessing the damage is one of the most difficult steps in this process, and making any mistakes on your claim could end up costing you quite a bit of money. That is why all homeowners should immediately invest in a binder or folder to store all of the information regarding the fire. As you remember new possessions that were in the home or the fire department notifies you of specific damage, that information must immediately go into the folder.

Account for Personal Belongings

Your home insurance most likely includes a clause regarding personal possessions that are damaged in a fire. Unlike the structural damage that will be assessed by the claims adjuster or an inspector, you will most likely need to estimate the price of your personal possessions that were lost. You should begin with some of the more expensive items that you had in your home including your furniture and appliances. Many of the smaller items like your clothing and decorations will most likely be lumped into a single payment from the insurance company.

Speak With a Fire Restoration Specialist

Depending on the severity of the fire, you might prefer to work with a fire restoration specialist instead of having your home completely rebuilt. Some companies, like Icon Property, know that many homeowners must speak with a variety of contractors to determine if it will be more economical to rebuild or restore. Most homes can be restored if the fire didn’t damage any of the key structural components such as the foundation or load-bearing walls.

Once you are finally able to move back into your home, you want to be absolutely sure that your family will remain safe in the coming years. You must install new smoke alarms and fire detectors throughout your home and then test them as often as possible. You should also have an escape plan in place so that your family knows exactly what to do in the event of an emergency.

Remodeling for Revenue: How to Flip Your House to Increase Its Value

Remodeling for Revenue How to Flip Your House to Increase Its Value

Flipping homes can be an effective way to make money from real estate. However, you need to know what types of upgrades will yield the highest returns on your investment before you decide to make them. Here are just some strategies that you should employ to ensure that you maximize your profits from each flip:

More Living Space Generally Means a Higher Price

In some areas, homes are priced per square foot. Therefore, adding more living space will translate to a higher asking price for the house. Some ideas for adding more space include finishing the attic or basement. In some cases, adding an egress to an already finished space will allow you to advertise it when listing the home.

It may also be a good idea to put an addition on the home that can be used as an extra bedroom, office or bathroom. If you are going to add to the house, make sure that you have the proper permits to do so. On average, each additional square foot that you add of living space could equal $100 or more added to the listing price.

Update the Kitchen and Bathroom

For those who have a limited budget, it is in your best interest to focus on the bathroom and kitchen spaces. Kitchens are where those who live in a home are going to spend the majority of their time. Bathrooms are generally where an individual is going to start or end his or her day. Being able to do so in style will make it more likely that a buyer will pay more for the house.

Upgrading the kitchen and bathroom is also a good idea because it makes the home easier for the next buyer to sell in the future. That alone will make the home more valuable because no one wants to pay for something that they can’t liquidate if necessary. Depending on where you live a new bathroom or updated kitchen could add $20,000 to $100,000 to the value of a house.

Put a Hot Tub in the Backyard

A nice spa with all of the proper hot tub accessories in the backyard makes a home more appealing because it gives the owner a place to entertain or relax after a hard day at work. They can be used either in the winter or the summer, which makes it more versatile than a pool for those who live in more temperate climates.

While individuals may be able to install them themselves, it is generally better to have a professional install it for you. It should only take a few minutes to a few hours depending on how much electrical work needs to be done to accommodate the new item.

In some cases, your installer may suggest ways that you can further spruce up your yard to add value to the flip. In most cases, a home’s value goes up by whatever you paid for it, but it could indirectly increase your home’s value because it makes the home more appealing.

Add New Front and Garage Doors

Replacing the current front and garage door with new ones makes the home look cleaner, brighter and more attractive at first sight. Typically, you will increase the value of the home by as much as 400 percent of what you paid for them. Therefore, if you spend $5,000 for new doors, the home will be worth $20,000 more.

While flipping may not be for everyone, it can be lucrative for those who understand how to do so successfully. For the most part, you have to understand what buyers in a given market want and then tailor the home to those needs to make it as attractive as possible when it goes on sale.

Home-Building Happiness: 3 Necessary Tools To Help Your Renovation

Home Building Happiness

Homeowners often perform renovations without the right tools to get the job done, which results in a lot of wasted time and money. Sometimes the use of incorrect equipment even leads to accidents and injuries.

To make your next home renovation a less stressful project that concludes with you feeling happy and satisfied, utilize these three tools from the start:

Structure Scanners

A lot of homeowners fail to scan existing structures to determine the location of wiring, water pipes, sewage lines and structural damage. They may even dig areas and install foundations without checking that the ground is stable. You can buy or rent inexpensive handheld wire, cable and pipe scanning tools in local hardware shops and online. For underground surveying, you should hire a ground penetrating radar firm instead of renting equipment. These firms can also confirm that any concrete structures that you build on, for example, haven’t degraded to a point that requires that you replace them.

Commercial Forklifts

Another necessary tool during even a medium-sized renovation is a forklift. Ripped out walls and dug up flooring and concrete, for example, create a lot of waste that is far easier and faster to remove when tossed into a bin and transported on-site via a forklift. Forklifts used with wooden pallets are also fantastic for transporting new construction materials and appliances. You can easily buy or rent a forklift through a trusted supplier like Heavy Lift Forklifts. Forklift suppliers typically also offer additional services, including a variety of attachments for different types of jobs and maintenance and repair support.

Waste Bins

No matter the size of a renovation project, you can always expect a lot of waste. You should never begin construction without first having a plan to dispose of old and leftover construction materials and renting waste bins designed for the specific materials you expect to throw away. Keep in mind that many materials are recyclable. Check with local recycling companies and construction waste recycling and disposal firms for more information and to compare bin and transport prices. Since some of the waste materials are likely hazardous, also make certain to ask for a list of materials that you should handle with care and disposal instructions.

Having read about the many benefits related to the use of these three tools, why would you ever begin a home renovation without them? Start investing in them today so that you can enjoy your renovation for years to come without any regrets.

Remodeling Your Home: 5 Tips For Making It Cheaper And Just As Beautiful

Remodeling Your Home

Remodeling your home is an important step to take when you want to update the property and boost its value. Many homeowners hesitate to begin the project due to the significant costs that are involved. If you want to remodel the home without spending a lot of money, there are a few tips to follow to make it just as beautiful.

Opt for Remnant Stone

When you want to update your countertops and allow them to look beautiful, visit granite supply yards and look for remnants that can be purchased. The material can be inexpensive to purchase if you don’t have too much countertop that needs to be covered, according to hgtv.com.

Purchase Appliances with Minor Imperfections

Ovens, refrigerators, and washing machines are easy to find at a discounted rate due to dents or scratches that may be present on the product but don’t affect how well they operate. Visit a local home improvement store and ask about products that are on sale to score a deal and still make your home look beautiful with the new product.

Install Sealed Cork Floors

Instead of spending a significant amount of money on hardwood floors when you’re ripping out tile or carpet, opt for using cork floors. The material costs an average of $3 per square foot compared to $8 to $14 per square foot for hardwood materials. The product is also easier on your feet and back when you walk throughout the home.

Add Light Tubes

According to thisoldhouse.com, light tubes are considered to be an inexpensive addition that will allow more natural sunlight into your home without spending more on adding windows. The feature slips between roof rafters and allows light to flood into areas that may otherwise be dim.

Don’t Move the Kitchen Sink

Rearranging the layout of your home can cost more if you need to move the toilet or sink. If the new layout requires you to move the features, use the opportunity to replace the pipes with the help of a professional from a company like Knights Plumbing & Drain. The investment can save you more money in the long run by avoiding costly repairs or water damage.

When you want to improve the quality of your home, you can make changes that transform the setting. Instead of going over your budget, there are a few ways to make the renovation process cheaper. It may require some extra work and research, but it will definitely be worth it in the long run.

Rental Remodel: 3 Things To Consider When Fixing To Lease

Rental Remodel

Renting out a home or apartment can be a great way to earn some extra income, especially considering the number of renters in the U.S. is continuing to rise year after year. Combine this with rising rental prices and a declining number of vacant properties and it spells out the fact that now is a great time to get into the property rental business.

However, before you dive straight in and immediately list your property for rent, you’ll first want to ensure that it’s in good enough condition to actually earn you a profit. While you may not want to undertake any major renovation projects, making sure your property is above minimum requirements and up to code will pay off in the long run. To make things easier, here are a few of the most important things you’ll want to be on the lookout for.

Old, Outdated Décor

Unless the property is brand new, you’ll always want to make sure you give the interiors a bit of a touch up before trying to rent it out. At the bare minimum, you’ll want to give everything a fresh paint job (neutral tones are always best). Still, you may want to consider tearing out those old carpets or linoleum floors and putting in new laminate flooring. Generally speaking, carpet is almost always a bad idea in rental properties. If you make as many repairs as is reasonable, making the space look clean and well-maintained, it will be easier to keep track of damage and needed repairs in the future.

Kitchen and Bathroom Furnishings

Pay close attention to your kitchen and bathroom cabinets and other furnishings, as these are fairly inexpensive to replace and can make a major difference in how much you can charge for the place. Making smaller changes like putting in new faucets or shower head also helps. You don’t necessarily need to remodel the entire room, as even making a few minor upgrades can go a long way.

Landscaping and Exterior

The outside of the property is just as important as the interior, and sometimes even more so, since this is the first thing a prospective tenant will see. If they don’t like what they see on the outside, they may not even bother to check out the inside. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to take a little time to spruce up the exterior of the property as well. Make sure the trees are trimmed, plant a few bushes or even just fix the dead spots in the lawn. Like with the interior, even a little help can go a long way. If you’re planning on renting through a realty company like Adams, Cameron and Co., Realtors, you will also want to ask them if they have any advice to give.

In many cases, it may be necessary to perform some more extensive renovations or repairs before a property is fully ready to rent out, especially if it doesn’t meet all local regulations. Nonetheless, even the more basic remodel tasks listed above should help ensure that you can get maximum value from your rental property.

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