Alex Stewart Portland Oregon Real Estate

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About PDX Seniors Real Estate

September 16th, 2008

Renovations That Boost Appeal to a Broad Audience

September 8th, 2008

Smart kitchen and bath renovations might boost a home’s appeal to Boomers and Seniors. So when you’re considering renovations for your home or scouting out a new home for your self, consider the findings of a study conducted by Focalyst and sponsored by Home Depot. It gathered data from more than 30,000 consumers from the baby boom generation and older to uncover housing preferences and their home improvement needs. The majority of respondents, 73 %, said the kitchen is the most important room for them. Some design tweaks that benefit Seniors are unobtrusive and likely appeal to a broad audience. In the kitchen, they include:

Slide-out drawers eliminate the need to twist or bend to access pots and pans.
Pull-down shelving removes effort from pantry access.
Under-cabinet task lighting that brightens countertops, lessening eyestrain
Elevated dishwashers reduce stooping or bending. D-shaped cabinet and drawer handles are easier to grasp.
Anti-scald devices reduce the risk of hot water burns for everyone.
36″ countertop height reduces back strain and promotes easier access.
Adjustable countertops offer added flexibility and convenience of access.
Softer, natural flooring reduces back and foot strain for periods of standing.

In the bathroom, wise changes include:

Sinks and vanities that are placed at a comfortable height.
Lever handles on faucets and doors make it easier at any age.
Smooth counter edges prevent bumps and bruises.
Strategically-placed grab bars in the shower reduce the risk of falling.

Outliving Your Pet

September 8th, 2008

For many individuals 50 and beyond, pets are beloved family members and almost like children. For some, a huge source of anxiety stems from wondering what will happen to a pet if it outlives its human companion or that person becomes incapacitated and can’t properly care for the pet. At the very least, older Seniors should make a pet plan and ask trusted friends or family to care for pets and write out instructions about how best to care for the animal. Feeding preferences and schedules, medications, special medical conditions, and the pet’s preferences—sleeping habits, favored toys, dislikes, and so forth—all should be noted. Some people are taking it a step further and including their wishes for their pets in their wills and earmarking funds for pets’ care. If you are interested in long-term planning for your pets, here are some Web sites that provide more information: