A recent study by AARP (formerly known as the American Assn. of Retired Persons) examined consumers' attitudes and expectations regarding their homes and community resources, and the roles these would play in helping them remain safe and independent as they continue to grow older. An overwhelming majority of the respondents to the AARP survey expressed their desire to stay in their homes for as long as possible and acknowledged the importance of home modifications, however, many had not incorporated or taken the steps to include these in their home. Tony Copeland, a counselor for AARP, attributes correspondents' views to "…unrealistic expectations about their physical abilities as they grow older." Another factor, Copeland says, is that many people may underestimate the costs of growing older and do not adequately plan for their future.

Copeland believes that educating the 50-plus population about the community resources and the wide array of home modifications available will make them aware about where to go for these services when the need arises. Gopal Ahluwalia, a research specialist for the National Assn. of Home Builders (NAHB), thinks that improving services such as public and private transportation, will also greatly benefit this older population in enabling them to remain living safely and independently in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.

Source: Los Angeles Times, "AARP survey shows unrealistic optimism" (8/03/03); Kelly, Tom.

Anemia Found To Double The Risk of Physical Decline in Older Adults

According to a study published in the August 2003 issue of American Journal of Medicine, anemia can erode the ability to live independently by increasing the risk of an older person to develop serious physical declines. The study, which was funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and Ortho Biotech Products, is the first longitudinal research to find a link between physical decline in later life and anemia.

At least 3.4 million of Americans are affected by anemia, a common blood disorder that occurs when the body doesn't produce enough red blood cells or the (red) cells are destroyed prematurely. Symptoms of anemia are: fatigue, dizziness, and irritability, coupled with muscle weakness, shortness of breath, rapid heart beat, and pale skin. Jack Guralnik, M.D., Ph.D., and NIA epidemiologist and co-author of the study, says that further research is necessary to find out whether treating anemia will prevent the progressive decline in function that may lead to disability.

To view the full-lenth article, Click Here.

** B.W.J.H. Penninx, J.M. Guralnik, G. Onder, L. Ferrucci, R.B. Wallace, and M. Pahor, "Anemia and decline in physical performance among older persons," American Journal of Medicine, Vol. 115, No. 2, pp. 104-110.

The National Institute on Aging is one of 27 Institutes and Centers that constitute the National Institutes of Health. The NIA leads Federal efforts to support and conduct basic, clinical, epidemiological, and social research on aging and the special needs of older people. Press releases, fact sheets, and other materials about aging and aging research can be viewed at the NIA's general information Web site, www.nia.nih.gov.

California's Tax Board Announces Homeowner and Renter Assistance

July 1st marks the first day of the filing period announced by the California Franchise Tax Board for its 2003 Homeowner and Renter Assistance program, which will run until October 1, 2003. This program will allow California homeowners and renters to receive up to a $472.60 payment.

To qualify, homeowners and renters must meet certain income restrictions and must have been blind, disabled, or at least 62 years of age on December 31, 2002.

Click Here for full-length article, or visit www.seniors.org.

The Hyatt Regency Long Beach Hotel hosted the opening ceremonies that began the five day event. During the sponsorship recognition dinner, event sponsors were honored with sponsorship awards presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Paralyzed Veterans of America. Event activities included 16 different sports events, which included softball, bowling, quad rugby, weightlifting, swimming and basketball. The games were finished off with a banquet and followed by a fireworks show.

Best Bath Systems, a company that specializes in providing accessible bath units and products, was a second year sponsor and donor for the event. BBS donated an accessible bathing unit that was won by Larry Sewall, from Clovis, CA, a former United States Army veteran who suffers from multiple sclerosis.

To learn more about the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Click Here. For more information about the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, or to follow events as they happen, visit the games' Website at http://www.wheelchairgames.org.

For additional information on Best Bath Systems, visit their website at
www.best-bath.com.

The building and design achievements of the Belmont Village project were recognized with an award in the "Best Seniors Project" category during the 40th Annual Gold Nugget Awards. Sponsored by the Premier Builders Show and Builder Magazine, the Gold Nugget Awards honor "creative achievements in architectural design and land use planning for residential, commercial and industrial projects" in 14 Western States.

The Belmont Village project is located in Sunnyvale, CA, and consists of a four-story, 135 unit facility with a concrete frame, plaster and clay tile exterior, and built-up roofing. The facility includes a separate ground level Alzheimer's Care facility with access to a private outdoor courtyard. In order to provide a sense of privacy and residential feel, the facility was built as far away from the main street as possible and includes a front yard that acts as a buffer to the street.

To learn more about the Gold Nuggets Award program, the oldest and largest program of its kind, visit www.goldnuggetawards.com

For information on Belmont Village Assisted Living Communities, visit
www.belmont village.com.

Resource Center Among "Best Sites" on AARP's New Internet Section

The National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modifications has been listed under AARP's new section titled "Internet Resources on Aging" as one of the best sites for people age 50+.
The web sites in AARP's Internet Resources on Aging are chosen for their usefulness for older adults and their families, as well as for researchers, students, and professionals in the field of aging.

To view this new section, click here or visit www.aarp.org and type "internet resources on aging" in the search box. The Center is listed under "Home Modification and Universal Design".

The National Resource Center on Supportive Housing, along with other interested organizations, has partnered with the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA) to form the Advisory Council on Aging In Place. The primary focus of the Council is to educate and create awareness among senior homeowners and their relatives, policymakers and other interested parties about home modification measures that will enable older adults to remain living safely and independently in their own home as they continue to age.

The Council has a full schedule of events planned for the remainder of the year, which includes the first Aging in Place Week, scheduled for November 9-15. Aging in Place Week will feature national and local events that will increase awareness about home modifications and products that can assist seniors to remain living at home, including information regarding new options for financing retirement needs and reverse mortgages. In addition, the Council will launch its new website, www.seniorsafehome.com that will serve as a portal for consumer education about aging in place.

Members of the Philadelphia Affordable Housing Coalition celebrated a historic budget victory that will provide millions of dollars to the City's much needed housing programs. In addition to the $2.5 million dollars that will go to the adaptive modification program to help 167 disabled residents keep their homes, the city will allocate another $2.5 million for a Neighborhood-Based Rental Production Fund to create 100 units of affordable housing; and $5 million for an Emergency Repairs, Preservation and Weatherization Fund for 1,000 occupied homes.

PAHC and City Councilman Michael Nutter worked hard at sponsoring the amendment that will direct ten million dollars to Philadelphia's affordable and accessible housing programs. With approximately 700 disabled residents on a 5-7 year waiting list for the City's adaptive modification program, additional funding sources are needed to address the housing crisis for low income and disabled residents.

Source: Liberty Works Newsletter, Summer 2003:Vol.23, No. 2
Published by Liberty Resources, Inc.
For additional information, visit their website at www.libertyresources.org.

Revolutionary Stair Climbing Wheelchair Approved

A wheelchair that uses sensor and gyroscopes to navigate stairs, was approved earlier this month by the FDA. The new wheelchair called the iBot Mobility System, costs around $29,000 and will require a doctor's prescription and special training to operate.

Compared to traditional wheelchairs that have two big back wheels and two smaller front wheels, the iBot has four same sized wheels that rotate up and over one another to climb up and down stairs. This new high-tech device enables users to talk and travel with others at eye level and allows travel over grass, gravel and other uneven terrain.

The FDA scientist responsible for leading the iBot evaluation, Robert DeLuca, believes that this wheelchair is something that can really benefit patients and will provide many advantages for those who use it. The iBot promises to provide users new levels of personal freedom and accessibility.

The maker, Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Independence Technology, is currently negotiating with Medicare and other insurers to assist users with payment of the high-cost device. Johnson & Johnson announced sales to begin by the end of the year.

Source: Associated Press; Article "FDA approves wheelchair that climbs stairs."
Photo: Associated Press
To view the full-length article, click here.

Japanese Companies Target Aging Consumers

With Japan becoming the most rapidly aging country in the developed world, universal design is gaining popularity among the 65 and older population. Japanese companies have taken notice and are currently developing products and services that encourage and maximize independent living.

For example, Toyota Motor Corp. recently unveiled a Raum passenger van with several universal design features that include an easy-to-read dashboard and swiveling seats. NTT DoCoMo, Japan's leading mobile phone company, has developed an easier to use phone that features larger and fewer buttons.

The demand for products that allow senior citizens to continue active lifestyles is only expected to grow as improvements in diet and medical care result in longer, healthier life expectancies. Marketing universal design products and services to older adults has become increasingly important considering that those over 65 control more than half of the wealth in Japan, with spending expected to almost double by 2011.

Source: Los Angeles Times, "In Japan-Elderly, Restless and Ready to Buy." (08/24/03); Iritani, Evelyn.
To view the full-length article, visit www.latimes.com.