Home & Family Newsletter September 2019

When choosing to build or renovate your current home to age in place, there are many adjustments that a person or their family must consider for their home to ensure life is easy and daily activities remain safe and comfortable. If you know you or a loved one is planning on transitioning to this living space, planning and saving should begin even before retirement. Once the planning stage has begun, here are some considerations to make for your home:

Making Life Easier

Making life easier doesn’t mean just making it more comfortable in general - it means compensating for some of the changes humans go through natural as we age. Some may begin to lose their eyesight or have less mobility and strength. If the lighting throughout the home is dim, new fixtures or bulbs may need to be added. Frequently used kitchen items may need to be moved to lower cabinets. If sink faucets and door handles are difficult to open, consider replacing hardware.

Making Life Safer

Safety is the biggest concern for most people aging in place. Does the bathtub or shower require a big step to enter, or have bars for stability? Is the flooring throughout the home slip-resistant? Your home may have different modifications than others - stay updated on health records and make adjustments accordingly.

Connecting to the World

Maintaining a connection to the world outside the home is just as important as what happens inside the home. You may need to build a ramp or install railings to aid with mobility when entering and exiting the home. Home automation and other technology can be helpful for contacting emergency services or family members. 

Are subway tiles still a popular choice? Do granite vanity tops still cut it? If you’re planning a bathroom remodel this year, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed by the amount of information and inspiration available online in 2019. With thousands of Pinterest boards, online home decorating magazines, and home renovation projects on YouTube channels, it can be tough to decipher between what trends will stick around and keep your home value high, and those that will flop as a new generation of home buyers begin their search. Check out these trends for remodeling your bathroom that should outlast this year’s fads and next! 

Accents

Plain, boring bathrooms are out, however painting your entire bathroom with a selection from the Pantone® Color Palette of the Year means you’ll likely have to do more renovating when you’re ready to sell. Make your space more interesting by adding colorful accents on hardware, mirror frames, accessories or even easy to remove peel-and-stick wallpaper. 

Lots of Light

Open your bathroom up with lots of light by using a neutral base color palate, mirrors to reflect natural light coming in, shower glass instead of curtains and strategic lighting fixtures over the mirrors. You’ll feel more relaxed, awake and closer to nature, and your guests will appreciate being able to do their makeup without squinting from a harsh yellow-toned overhead light. 

Go Green

Remodeling in 2019 isn’t just about looks - it’s about being energy efficient and eco-friendly. If you plan on replacing your fixtures and appliances, invest in low-flow toilets and more efficient showerheads and sink faucets. While the initial cost may be higher, you’ll have lower utility bills and appeal to future buyers who are on the lookout for “green” homes. 

Of course, you don’t always have to follow the trends exactly - be sure to stick to your own personal style for a consistent look throughout your home.

Does it ever seem like no matter how much you clean, there is always a layer of dust on your furniture surfaces? Or you wake up with a scratchy throat and stuffy nose? The air quality in your home has a big effect on your everyday life, whether you’re aware of it or not. But, how can you determine if the quality of your air is “good?” 

Of course, the easiest way to measure the air quality of your home is to purchase an Air Quality Monitor, or hire a professional who can complete a thorough assessment. However, there are a few signs you can look for yourself that will tell you if your air quality needs improvement. 

The first sign many people notice is your own health. However, there may be visual symptoms of poor air quality as well, such as mold or foggy air. If you start to feel allergy symptoms or get frequent headaches in your own home, it may be time to make some changes. 

·  Have you checked and changed your air filters lately? Most air filters are good for around 90 days, and then should be replaced to make sure clean air is coming out of your air system at an efficient rate. If you have multiple pets in your home, you may need to replace it more frequently. 

·  What about your HVAC system? When was the last time you scheduled an inspection and cleaning? 

If you have cleaned your home, your air system, and gotten rid of potential allergens like aerosols, paints and cleaners, and are still concerned about air quality, you may also want to invest in an air purifier, or even add a few air purifying plants. Here is a great guide from Consumer Reports for purchasing a system for your home. 

Recipe Courtesy of: Southern Living

Ingredients

·  1/4 cup hot sauce

·  1/4 cup tomato paste

·  3 tablespoons honey

·  1 cup buttermilk

·  1/2 small sweet onion, grated

·  6 garlic cloves, minced

·  1 tablespoon cracked black pepper

·  2 1/4 teaspoons salt, divided

·  3 pounds skinned and boned chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into 2-inch chunks

·  10 (6-inch) wooden or metal skewers

·  Vegetable cooking spray

·  Grilled lemon halves

·  Romesco Sauce or Toasted Pecan Pesto

Directions

1.  Whisk together first 3 ingredients in a large bowl until smooth; whisk in buttermilk, next 3 ingredients, and 2 tsp. salt until blended.

2.  Place buttermilk mixture and chicken in a large zip-top plastic freezer bag; seal and chill 3 hours.

3.  Meanwhile, soak wooden skewers in water 30 minutes. (Omit if using metal skewers.)

4.  Coat cold cooking grate of grill with cooking spray, and place on grill. Preheat grill to 350° to 400° (medium-high) heat. Remove chicken from marinade, discarding marinade. Thread chicken onto skewers, leaving a 1/8-inch space between pieces; sprinkle with remaining 1/4 tsp. salt.

5.  Grill kabobs, covered with grill lid, 6 to 8 minutes on each side or until chicken is done. Serve with lemon halves and Toasted Pecan Pesto or Romesco Sauce.