Modern Living

How to make your house grandparent-friendly

Our parents and grandparents were there to look after us as we grew up, but now, as they get on in years, it’s our turn to step up. When your parents start aging it can get harder for them to keep up with modern life, adjusting to the new norms and so on. Depending on their mental and physical health, it can also be harder for them to take care of themselves, far from anyone they know and love. One solution is to have them move in with you, but how to make sure your home is prepared? Here are some top tips to make your house grandparent-friendly!

Keeping things social

If your parents live far away, they often miss out on social interactions. Depending on where they live or how old they are, their friends may have moved on or moved away. Although it is a grim fact to consider, in the case of grandparents, it is more likely that some of their friends have already passed away. As a result, it can be lonely living far from their family, which when bringing them into your home, can be of immense help to them.

Of course, there are plenty of options out there that you can use such as Belmont Village Senior Living which offers seniors the perfect place to be taken care of. Places such as this also provide incredible social opportunities alongside a ton of events and activities daily to keep everyone occupied. Sometimes nothing compares to living with one’s own family though, especially if your grandparents themselves want that. However, the average home is often not prepared to make seniors comfortable. Some of the home’s arrangements might even prove to be dangerous for them, so we are going to discuss a few important factors that can help you with making your home safe and comfortable for your grandparents.

Replacing furniture

If you do decide that having your parent(s) or grandparent(s) move in with you is the best way forward, then you may have to consider making a few adjustments. For instance, if they are going to take over a guest bedroom, you may want to consider the bed they will have. Something low to the floor, and super soft may be great for your other guests, but an older adult is going to have a very hard time getting out of that in the morning. Similarly, a bed that’s too high will also pose difficulties. As you might have guessed already, height adjustable beds with medium firm mattresses are best suited for the elderly. Keep in mind that your grandparents might also have arthritis, or at least their joints will likely not be in the best of conditions. This is why medium firm mattresses provide their lower backs with the support that they need in order to have a night of restful sleep.

Aside from the bed, they will most likely need a particularly comfortable and ergonomic chair as well in their room. Lying on the bed all day is definitely not healthy, so they should have the option to work, read, chat, talk, knit, etc. from the comfort of an easy chair – preferably one that also rocks.

Reorganize living spaces

Another aspect to consider is the available living spaces. Areas such as the sitting room may need to be changed up a bit. If you have a lot of clutter or items everywhere, you should consider reducing this, or finding storage space so that there’s a clear walkway around the house for your elderly guest – they’re often not as maneuverable as we are! Decluttering in general is a good idea for everyone’s safety, and it even provides stress relief, so make that a priority before your grandparents move in.

You can also consider making things in the kitchen a lot easier too. Basics such as tea and coffee should be placed in easy to reach places so that they do not need to stretch or climb to get into cupboards. The same goes for cutlery and dishes. It’s best to sit down with them and make a list of items that they may need to find regularly in the kitchen. This will help ensure that you can be more specific and effective with your kitchen rearrangements.

You may also need to consider making areas of the house more accessible too, such as installing handrails for the front steps, up the stairs and in the shower. If need be, you may need to change entrance access to ensure your parents aren’t going to trip and fall. A stair lift might be the best way to ensure that their tired joints are not overworked. The bathroom is a dangerous place for older generations, as no small number of people slip, fall, get injured or even die every year inside slippery bathrooms. Keep the floors cleaned at all times. Do not let water, shampoo, soap, cleaners or algae sit on the floor. Keep the floor dry and implement anti-slipping measures to provide added grip.

Change up the meal plan

A final thing to consider with your new live-in guest is meals. You may be used to cooking up gourmet feasts, but remember, a senior may not be able to handle the same level of spice as you can. Often their tastes are a little more limited, and you may have to cater to a specific diet. In some cases, softer foods will be required so we suggest sticking to simple, basic options which you can add condiments too after, ensuring everyone is happy.

It is difficult to generalize food when it comes to seniors, given that people age differently, not to mention the fact that their systems may or may not be used to the type of food that your own family is used to. See if the present meal plan of your home can be worked with slight alterations for the new elderly addition(s) to the family, but sometimes, cooking food separately for them is not going to be optional. This is especially true if they happen to be afflicted by diseases that require special meal planning. Given that grandparents are seniors, if not super seniors, such diseases are not uncommon either.

Star your house participating at Miss House 2 Rent Competition sponsored by b2mcity.com

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The main rule for participation in the Miss House 2 Rent competition is to insert in your pictures beautiful memories of your house that remembers you about the past. It can be your front-side street view of the house, the garage, the garden, the cosy living room or your fancy kitchen, where you made your first start with lemonade. This competition is about advertising his website and it will work great for his goals to built a team of Landlords who will join in a conversation about new projects they can do together to improve the look of their neighbourhood.
You can find the competition registration form and rules of participation under this shortcut link.
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Common Industry Uses for Stainless Steel

Stainless steel has become an essential part of everyday living, given its low maintenance, resistance to rust or corrosion, and its impressive durability. This metal is 100% recyclable, making it a favorite of those looking to have a more eco-friendly approach to modern life. There are currently over 150 grades of stainless steel, and approximately 15 of these grades are used to create the stainless steel products Houston TX companies manufacture. These are some of the more common uses for the metal.

The Construction Industry

Modern architecture and construction rely heavily on stainless steel for the rigid strength, flexibility, and resistance to deterioration it provides. The Chrysler Builder has the upper portion constructed from the material, though you can also find it in the Helix Bridge in Singapore, the Eurostar Terminal in London, and the One World Trade Center in New York. Stainless steel is used on finished like handrails or less noticeable elements like exterior cladding.

The Medical Field

Stainless steel is able to withstand rigorous cleaning without damaging the element and making it susceptible to corrosion. This property makes it ideal for medical environments where sterilization and sanitation are constant concerns. Stainless is used to construct operating tables, kidney dishes, and dental instruments. It is also used in surgical implants for artificial hips or for broken bone reconstruction and attachment.

The Energy Industry

The toxic elements of oil, gas, and chemical particles are ruthless on a number of materials. Stainless steel is the most durable, withstanding both the high heat that is involved in working with these elements and the corrosive nature of the substances. High-grade stainless is the chosen material for creating storage tanks, transport tanks, or valves for equipment in the energy industry.

These three areas are just a few of the industries that rely on stainless steel products. Others include the food and catering business, the automotive industry, and transportation.

Should Your Company Start Outsourcing?

It can be hard to run a small business efficiently, and it can be challenging to know what to do yourselves and what you can outsource. Here are some things you may consider getting others to do for you so you can save time and money.

Advertising

You know you need to promote your business, but it can be confusing to figure out what you need to do, especially if your company hasn’t been around very long. Working with experienced marketers can get your brand out where potential customers can see it and this can save you money in the long run.

Manufacturing Your Product

Working with a company that has experience producing what you need can be a huge boost to your bottom line. Rather than needing to purchase land, build a facility and get all the machinery, you can often find low cost country sourcing for whatever your product may be.

Customer-Facing Employees

You want to put on a good face for customers who have questions but may not have the personnel to do it yourself. Hiring other companies can save you the cost of additional employees while still getting the job done to your satisfaction.

Payroll and Accounting

Especially if you don’t need a full-time employee working on keeping you financially compliant and making sure your people get paid on time, this is an area to consider outsourcing. In fact, many businesses feel comfortable about hiring outside assistance with financial issues. Experienced accountants keep up with the latest laws and practices and often do work for multiple companies. You can let go of the need to hire an accountant as an employee and hire one who can do the limited amount of work you want them to take on.

Technology

While many people are very technologically savvy, there are just as many who are not. If you work with an IT company to handle your needs, they are more likely to be able to keep your equipment and software up to date than you are.

Hiring and Training

Onboarding employees is another job that can be outsourced. You can work with a recruiting service or staffing company to help you find the people you need. Let them handle the screening or vetting of each person so you can have confidence that those you look at hiring are qualified for the job.

As you can see, there are many things you can outsource to help your company maintain efficiency. Consider the pros and cons of each and determine where you can save money by going outside your company for some of these services.

3 Great Outdoor Home Improvements That Help the Environment

Looking to improve your outdoor space? There are plenty of ways to enhance your yard, but it’s important to be mindful of the environment in every decision that you make. These three eco-friendly outdoor improvements improve your everyday life while reducing your impact on the environment.

1. Restore Your Deck

Your deck allows you to enjoy the outdoors both comfortably and stylishly. Instead of replacing your current deck with a completely new one, give it a completely new look with the help of the professionals in deck restorations Austin TX. Replacing a deck is costly and is a waste of wood, a precious natural resource. By restoring your deck, you reduce your impact on the environment and save money, too.

2. Ditch the Lawn

You might be surprised to know that ditching ordinary turf is actually very beneficial for the environment. Replace your current grass by sowing a blend of grass seed that contains fescue. Fescue grass is slow-growing and drought resistant, which means you won’t waste gallons of water trying to keep it green. In addition, its slow growth means that you need to mow less often, reducing your carbon footprint.

3. Use Mulch

If you have flowerbeds or empty areas of yard where grass or other groundcover just can’t seem to grow, it’s a great idea to bring in some mulch for a number of reasons. For one thing, mulch looks and smells great, providing you a beautiful alternative to bare spots in the yard. It also crowds out weeds from taking over your planting beds, which in turn allows your plantings to soak up water. Be sure to use organic mulch like wood chips or bark and scatter a new layer each spring.

Doing your part for the environment feels good, and it’s great for your wallet, too. Follow these tips and feel confident that you’ve made lasting eco-friendly improvements for your yard.

What’s the Difference Between Roll-Up Doors and Swing Doors?

The trailer industry has evolved over the last 50 or 60 years to produce many varieties of storage trailers that can be bought, sold or rented. The same is true for storage trailer swing doors Auburn WA. While the trailer itself comes in different sizes, there are also different types of doors that have slightly different functionality and serve different purposes. Learn more about the differences between swing doors and roll-up doors that are used on trucks and storage trailers around the country.

What are Roll-Up Doors?

Roll-up doors are exactly what they sound like. They typically are found at the back of the truck or trailer and essentially roll up from the bottom and extend into the trailer at ceiling level. Roll-up doors have many advantages including the ability to be operated while parked securely at a loading dock. Also, the mechanism for opening and closing the door is very simple, leading to efficient and quick opening and closing during curbside deliveries. Because of the simplicity of using roll-up doors, some fleets have found that drivers more properly follow safety protocols and procedures. Also, for marketing purposes, roll-up doors can be easily painted with logos and campaigns to help spread brand awareness.

On the downside, the roll-up design does result in a slightly reduced clearance on the rear frame in order to allow for the door to roll into the trailer. There are many different versions of roll-up doors from many different brands and manufacturers.

What are Swing Doors?

Swing doors are also commonly known as “barn” doors. One of the biggest pros to using swing doors with trailers and trucks is that it maximizes the net cargo area. When you need a very large opening and the maximum amount of space for storage, swing doors provide that. They come in many different sizes and are made out of many different materials.

The only other thing to consider is that because swing doors open out from the trailer, you have to have clearance to be able to open it up. Also, in windy conditions, be careful to secure the doors so they don’t flap wildly in harsh weather.

Benefits of Hiring Help for DIY Projects

It might sound contrary to the idea of “do it yourself” home projects, but turning to a contractor for help can make a major difference. Some homeowners that want to get their hands dirty—or just want to save money—balk at the notion, but having some professional insight lightens the burden of less glamorous or more dangerous work and puts your more ambitious projects within reach. Here are some ways that hiring a contractor will improve your DIY project.

The Right Tools for the Job

Specialized equipment and materials aren’t always easy to come by, which can thwart some of your DIY dreams. Fortunately, professional contractors have, or can get their hands on, the tools and supplies you need. You may be able to get your hands on scrap metal for a handmade fixture, but unless you have a capable bandsaw or laser cutter available, it’s more prudent to call a custom metal fabrication shop to get the pieces you need. From there, you can then start putting them together.

Along with the need for equipment, knowledge of how to use that equipment effectively and safely is critical. Involved tasks like trimming trees, replacing flooring, rewiring lights and more can easily cause trouble for amateur renovators. This often means having to undo faulty work at great cost, if not causing personal injury. Some tasks are simply best left to professionals.

An Eye for Design

Sometimes, you don’t need to hire for labor or for custom fabrication. Many businesses, rather than performing renovation work directly, instead offer consultation on home improvement projects. These consultants provide second opinions on material selections and design choices and can direct you to vendors that have the supplies you’ll need, or professionals capable of assisting. Ultimately, a consultant will keep you on track with your vision for your home, from budgeting and outlining projects to suggesting alternate courses of action.

What a good renovation consultant won’t do is pressure you into giving up and handing the project over to contractors entirely. Though they may highlight obstacles and pitfalls that would-be DIYers may not be aware of, the intent isn’t to scare them out of it. Some unscrupulous contractors may offer consultation that amounts to “you need to hire me”—if you want a consultation, turn to someone who does solely consultation work. It’s your project, and they’re just there to help you get it done.

There’s nothing wrong with seeking professional aid with DIY home improvement, as big of an undertaking as it can be. A little help or guidance can let you do more for your home than you would’ve thought possible.