WEBVTT 00:00:00.490 --> 00:00:03.350 Hello, everyone. Thank you again for joining 00:00:03.350 --> 00:00:05.830 us for another podcast with the Aging in Place 00:00:05.830 --> 00:00:10.769 directory. Today, I am so honored to have as 00:00:10.769 --> 00:00:14.390 a guest, Evangeline Bates with Evangeline Interiors. 00:00:14.810 --> 00:00:18.079 As an occupational therapist, I have... always 00:00:18.079 --> 00:00:21.699 given my patients, you know, all the pragmatic 00:00:21.699 --> 00:00:25.140 tools and everything that they need to age in 00:00:25.140 --> 00:00:27.660 place. But as someone who doesn't have an eye 00:00:27.660 --> 00:00:32.140 for design and still doesn't, I am always so 00:00:32.140 --> 00:00:34.859 intrigued and enamored by people who can do that, 00:00:35.039 --> 00:00:37.880 who incorporate both. And Evangeline has successfully 00:00:37.880 --> 00:00:41.100 done that. So thank you so much, Evangeline, 00:00:41.200 --> 00:00:44.390 for joining me on this podcast. Well, Esther, 00:00:44.429 --> 00:00:49.570 thank you for inviting me today. It's a pleasure 00:00:49.570 --> 00:00:52.670 for me to be here, and I feel honored to be here 00:00:52.670 --> 00:00:56.850 with you this morning. Thank you. Thank you so 00:00:56.850 --> 00:00:59.869 much. If you want to see Evangeline's website, 00:01:00.130 --> 00:01:03.729 it's at evangelineinteriors .com. And she is 00:01:03.729 --> 00:01:06.769 in or serves the Eastern Massachusetts Southern 00:01:06.769 --> 00:01:09.819 New Hampshire area. You know, our services are 00:01:09.819 --> 00:01:16.599 nationwide. How do you do that? How do you. Service 00:01:16.599 --> 00:01:19.420 nationwide, I mean, is it virtual or it's usually 00:01:19.420 --> 00:01:25.260 a virtual consultation. I myself, I prefer to 00:01:25.260 --> 00:01:30.099 do it more locally. I feel that it's really important 00:01:30.099 --> 00:01:34.390 to to. get to know the client, to get to know 00:01:34.390 --> 00:01:38.290 their surroundings. But sometimes that can't 00:01:38.290 --> 00:01:40.590 happen and they just want something quick. They 00:01:40.590 --> 00:01:43.469 just want a quick report because they need to 00:01:43.469 --> 00:01:47.030 get going on things. So I will do a virtual with 00:01:47.030 --> 00:01:52.069 them, but only if it's really a necessity at 00:01:52.069 --> 00:01:54.049 that point that we have to get it done at that 00:01:54.049 --> 00:01:57.530 time. Yeah, and that happens so often with older 00:01:57.530 --> 00:02:02.219 adults because they tend to not Make changes 00:02:02.219 --> 00:02:05.159 until they have to make the change and then at 00:02:05.159 --> 00:02:07.760 that point, as you said, it's a, it's an immediate 00:02:07.760 --> 00:02:12.500 need. Yes. So, do you often speak with the home 00:02:12.500 --> 00:02:14.879 owner or with the family members of the home 00:02:14.879 --> 00:02:20.770 owner? You know. Both actually sometimes I will 00:02:20.770 --> 00:02:26.430 speak with the homeowner who actually is thinking 00:02:26.430 --> 00:02:29.530 about aging in place and wants to stop planning 00:02:29.530 --> 00:02:33.909 ahead. Which is really the key to successful 00:02:33.909 --> 00:02:38.129 aging in place is to plan ahead, but sometimes 00:02:38.129 --> 00:02:41.050 as you had mentioned, it's somebody that's coming 00:02:41.050 --> 00:02:44.669 out of rehab and their family gets in touch with 00:02:44.669 --> 00:02:47.520 me saying. They have to go home, but their house 00:02:47.520 --> 00:02:51.080 is not ready for them to go safely back at home. 00:02:51.740 --> 00:02:55.659 So there are different reasons why people call 00:02:55.659 --> 00:03:00.159 me for that reason. But it's always important 00:03:00.159 --> 00:03:05.349 again to plan ahead, but then also. in the respect 00:03:05.349 --> 00:03:08.050 as far as having somebody come out of rehab, 00:03:08.110 --> 00:03:11.530 that's actually where I would get an OT involved 00:03:11.530 --> 00:03:17.310 and will collaborate putting a report together. 00:03:18.870 --> 00:03:23.330 That's very important actually. And as an OT, 00:03:23.449 --> 00:03:26.169 I often would work with other healthcare professionals 00:03:26.169 --> 00:03:31.729 and definitely the families and my patient. to 00:03:31.729 --> 00:03:37.090 gather ideas of how to best set up that environment 00:03:37.090 --> 00:03:40.490 for that person. I think it's so important to 00:03:40.490 --> 00:03:44.069 realize it's never just one person who's involved 00:03:44.069 --> 00:03:47.789 in this because there's so many factors. I'm 00:03:47.789 --> 00:03:50.210 sure sometimes you have to talk with contractors 00:03:50.210 --> 00:03:56.949 and handymen and whomever. Electrician, whatever 00:03:56.949 --> 00:04:01.289 is needed to do what that person needs. But then 00:04:01.289 --> 00:04:07.770 your eye on design also involves everything from 00:04:07.770 --> 00:04:11.629 color to how it looks and to incorporate it into 00:04:11.629 --> 00:04:14.669 the person's existing environment so that it 00:04:14.669 --> 00:04:17.910 doesn't look, you know, hospital -like. Yeah, 00:04:18.189 --> 00:04:21.730 institutionalized. Right. So as far as aging 00:04:21.730 --> 00:04:26.420 in place and thinking about the aging adult in 00:04:26.420 --> 00:04:30.839 their environment. Yes, color consults, things 00:04:30.839 --> 00:04:34.180 like that, are very important and they're a little 00:04:34.180 --> 00:04:38.300 different than just doing an interior design 00:04:38.300 --> 00:04:42.100 for a younger person because you really have 00:04:42.100 --> 00:04:48.980 to figure in wall color. Our eyes age. When they're 00:04:48.980 --> 00:04:52.269 aging, they turn yellow. So we have to make sure 00:04:52.269 --> 00:04:55.569 that we pick the right colors on the wall that 00:04:55.569 --> 00:04:59.449 can adhere to that change. We have to make sure 00:04:59.449 --> 00:05:02.149 there's a contrast between the floor and the 00:05:02.149 --> 00:05:06.589 wall for an aging adult so they can see their 00:05:06.589 --> 00:05:09.689 environment better. Little things like putting 00:05:09.689 --> 00:05:12.410 levers on the door knobs instead of the door 00:05:12.410 --> 00:05:15.490 knobs is another little thing that you can do, 00:05:15.589 --> 00:05:19.629 you know, where you put the microwave. is really 00:05:19.629 --> 00:05:24.189 important. Making sure that your countertops 00:05:24.189 --> 00:05:29.230 for your vanity or for your kitchen countertops, 00:05:29.370 --> 00:05:33.110 they don't have a glare on them because glare 00:05:33.110 --> 00:05:37.949 can really impact an aging adult and what they 00:05:37.949 --> 00:05:40.910 can see and make sure there's plenty of lighting 00:05:40.910 --> 00:05:44.589 in their environment. So there are certain things 00:05:44.589 --> 00:05:48.560 that are part of universal design but If you 00:05:48.560 --> 00:05:51.459 don't have those things in place already, and 00:05:51.459 --> 00:05:55.000 you're trying to promote a safe environment for 00:05:55.000 --> 00:05:58.220 an aging adult, these are the things to consider 00:05:58.220 --> 00:06:02.120 for that aging adult. And of course, if there's 00:06:02.120 --> 00:06:05.660 any health issues, again, getting in touch with 00:06:05.660 --> 00:06:08.519 the health professionals so you know how things 00:06:08.519 --> 00:06:11.240 are going to be for them now, but also in the 00:06:11.240 --> 00:06:15.089 future so you can plan ahead. Exactly, exactly. 00:06:15.430 --> 00:06:19.149 And that's a big important factor is not just 00:06:19.149 --> 00:06:22.810 working for what is happening now, but trying 00:06:22.810 --> 00:06:26.569 to anticipate and see what they can use for the 00:06:26.569 --> 00:06:28.829 future. No sense in making a change for something 00:06:28.829 --> 00:06:31.889 now if it's not going to work two months from 00:06:31.889 --> 00:06:34.689 now. I mean, you can't do everything, but you 00:06:34.689 --> 00:06:39.089 certainly try. How did you get involved in going 00:06:39.089 --> 00:06:42.230 from design Well, I'm assuming you began with 00:06:42.230 --> 00:06:50.290 design and then added this new skill. So I was 00:06:50.290 --> 00:06:53.689 a typical traditional interior designer for almost 00:06:53.689 --> 00:06:56.649 30 years. And then I was at a networking group 00:06:56.649 --> 00:07:00.370 and I was talking to an architect and a contractor 00:07:00.370 --> 00:07:02.730 and they brought up, they asked me if I knew 00:07:02.730 --> 00:07:05.050 anything about universal design aging in place. 00:07:05.209 --> 00:07:07.550 And honestly, I did not know. I never even heard 00:07:07.550 --> 00:07:10.319 those terms. And they told me, you know, something, 00:07:10.439 --> 00:07:12.860 this is something that's really going to be important 00:07:12.860 --> 00:07:17.800 for us to have in the future. I would recommend 00:07:17.800 --> 00:07:20.759 that you go back and do some research on it. 00:07:20.759 --> 00:07:24.519 And I did. And Esther. The more research that 00:07:24.519 --> 00:07:27.819 I did on both aging in place and universal design, 00:07:28.319 --> 00:07:30.459 it was like, oh my goodness, why aren't we doing 00:07:30.459 --> 00:07:33.779 this already? This is crazy. It's not something 00:07:33.779 --> 00:07:36.860 that, you know, it's just a trend. It's something 00:07:36.860 --> 00:07:42.120 that has to be done for everyone. So from there, 00:07:42.620 --> 00:07:45.800 I started getting my education in universal design. 00:07:45.959 --> 00:07:49.189 I got my certification for aging in place. And 00:07:49.189 --> 00:07:52.490 it really, it wasn't until, again, I had a family 00:07:52.490 --> 00:07:58.069 situation that my aunt could not visit my home 00:07:58.069 --> 00:08:00.389 anymore because it was not visitable for her 00:08:00.389 --> 00:08:02.750 anymore. She couldn't make the stairs. She couldn't 00:08:02.750 --> 00:08:05.329 get around my house. And I'm saying, Oh my goodness, 00:08:05.810 --> 00:08:09.279 I know what to do now, you know, so. At that 00:08:09.279 --> 00:08:12.139 time I said, you know what if I'm put in this 00:08:12.139 --> 00:08:15.860 situation with my own family How many other people 00:08:15.860 --> 00:08:19.240 are out there too? Facing these challenges and 00:08:19.240 --> 00:08:22.699 really have no clue as to what to do on knowing 00:08:22.699 --> 00:08:25.259 that there are things that you can actually do 00:08:25.259 --> 00:08:28.759 so So that's how it all started and from that 00:08:28.759 --> 00:08:32.000 point on Esther It's just been a passion of mine 00:08:32.000 --> 00:08:35.399 to really advocate for universal design for new 00:08:35.399 --> 00:08:40.100 builds and you know if there I have a client 00:08:40.100 --> 00:08:43.620 that wants to start remodeling I try to introduce 00:08:43.620 --> 00:08:46.500 universal design elements to them again it's 00:08:46.500 --> 00:08:50.159 always a new concept but once they understand 00:08:50.159 --> 00:08:51.940 it they're saying oh my goodness it makes so 00:08:51.940 --> 00:08:56.230 much sense so that's how it all started. I think 00:08:56.230 --> 00:08:58.649 that's great. And it's so true. I mean, once 00:08:58.649 --> 00:09:02.210 it personally hits you and then you can actually 00:09:02.210 --> 00:09:05.950 see the benefits and the end result. I mean, 00:09:06.149 --> 00:09:10.429 here, your aunt can now live comfortably and 00:09:10.429 --> 00:09:14.730 for longer. I mean, I always think that the whole 00:09:14.730 --> 00:09:17.639 concept of aging in place is not... something 00:09:17.639 --> 00:09:21.679 that should be done after an accident or illness 00:09:21.679 --> 00:09:25.879 or event. The idea is to try to prevent that 00:09:25.879 --> 00:09:31.539 accident from happening. Yeah, it's so important. 00:09:31.740 --> 00:09:34.639 There was an article a few months ago in the 00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:37.379 Wall Street Journal about boomers wanting to 00:09:37.379 --> 00:09:40.559 stay home. They had purchased these big houses 00:09:40.559 --> 00:09:44.179 10, 20, 30 years ago and they want to stay there, 00:09:44.320 --> 00:09:48.190 which is perfectly understandable. But the photograph 00:09:48.190 --> 00:09:51.309 that they showed in the newspaper was everything 00:09:51.309 --> 00:09:54.830 was wrong in that room. I mean, everything from 00:09:54.830 --> 00:09:59.090 square glass coffee tables to multiple tables 00:09:59.090 --> 00:10:02.509 around and, you know, steps going up. I mean, 00:10:02.610 --> 00:10:05.429 you can't always change those. But I mean, everything 00:10:05.429 --> 00:10:09.370 was so crowded and rugs everywhere. And it was 00:10:09.370 --> 00:10:12.870 just like I had a field day tearing apart that 00:10:12.870 --> 00:10:15.919 photograph. And I always said at the end, I hope 00:10:15.919 --> 00:10:18.279 these people who were in this photograph, you 00:10:18.279 --> 00:10:21.740 know, are watching this and make a change in 00:10:21.740 --> 00:10:23.879 their living room because it looks like a beautiful 00:10:23.879 --> 00:10:26.220 house. I'd love to see them stay there longer. 00:10:26.279 --> 00:10:29.960 Yes. But yeah, and it's difficult. I get it. 00:10:30.080 --> 00:10:33.360 It's difficult as you get older to change and 00:10:33.360 --> 00:10:36.659 especially the concept of letting go of things. 00:10:36.659 --> 00:10:39.960 Yes. You know, large pieces of furniture and 00:10:39.960 --> 00:10:45.450 small spaces. and, you know, not clutter, I don't 00:10:45.450 --> 00:10:48.889 want to say clutter, but just so many things 00:10:48.889 --> 00:10:53.470 that you could fall into. Yes, and, you know, 00:10:53.590 --> 00:10:56.970 it's really, it's, so when you're working with 00:10:56.970 --> 00:11:00.610 an aging adult, you know, it's a big psychological 00:11:03.909 --> 00:11:06.470 thing that you're working with. So it's not just 00:11:06.470 --> 00:11:09.009 picking out colors and things like that. You 00:11:09.009 --> 00:11:12.009 really have to, first of all, have them get to 00:11:12.009 --> 00:11:16.279 trust you first. And that's a real big thing 00:11:16.279 --> 00:11:19.000 when you're working with aging adults that's 00:11:19.000 --> 00:11:21.940 why it's so important to get to know them first 00:11:21.940 --> 00:11:25.240 to get to know their environment to get to know 00:11:25.240 --> 00:11:28.419 their likes and dislikes and like everybody else 00:11:28.419 --> 00:11:31.600 to get to know their vision for their for their 00:11:31.600 --> 00:11:34.820 environment and once they start trusting you 00:11:34.820 --> 00:11:40.279 then they'll take on your recommendations a little 00:11:40.279 --> 00:11:44.950 bit easier but. It's a big thing for them to 00:11:44.950 --> 00:11:48.269 change and to think that, yes, they are getting 00:11:48.269 --> 00:11:51.110 older. So sometimes I think they don't want to 00:11:51.110 --> 00:11:53.570 make these changes because it's only showing 00:11:53.570 --> 00:11:57.210 that they are starting to age and they don't 00:11:57.210 --> 00:12:03.509 want to be in that situation. So, yes. Yeah. 00:12:03.610 --> 00:12:06.610 But the funny thing is that if they don't make 00:12:06.610 --> 00:12:11.480 that change, It will age them quicker because 00:12:11.480 --> 00:12:15.440 something inevitably happens. You know, I can't 00:12:15.440 --> 00:12:18.000 tell you as a therapist, you know, how many hundreds 00:12:18.000 --> 00:12:20.480 if not thousands of patients I treated in all 00:12:20.480 --> 00:12:24.720 those years who. were with me because of something 00:12:24.720 --> 00:12:28.139 so silly, you know, carrying a basket of laundry 00:12:28.139 --> 00:12:31.779 down the stairs or bumping into a coffee table 00:12:31.779 --> 00:12:34.940 and falling or tripping over a rug or, you know, 00:12:35.080 --> 00:12:38.799 just some silly little one second thing that 00:12:38.799 --> 00:12:42.519 changed their entire life. Exactly. you know, 00:12:42.779 --> 00:12:46.159 so my perspective is always prevent it and prevent 00:12:46.159 --> 00:12:48.860 it. That's right. So what does the process look 00:12:48.860 --> 00:12:51.700 like if I were to call you as a client? What 00:12:51.700 --> 00:12:55.179 does that process look like from your, you know, 00:12:55.539 --> 00:12:58.480 from what you offer your services? So what I 00:12:58.480 --> 00:13:01.980 would do is, like I said, I'd go on site to the 00:13:01.980 --> 00:13:07.730 house. I'd take The exterior is just as important 00:13:07.730 --> 00:13:11.629 as the interior. So I would take pictures on 00:13:11.629 --> 00:13:14.490 the outside, take some notes from that point, 00:13:15.029 --> 00:13:18.250 go on the inside, again, take pictures of every 00:13:18.250 --> 00:13:22.990 room, take some more notes, sit with the clients, 00:13:23.230 --> 00:13:27.129 talk to them, as I mentioned, about their challenges 00:13:27.129 --> 00:13:31.009 now and what it's gonna be like in the future 00:13:31.009 --> 00:13:35.389 for them. Think about their vision as far as 00:13:35.389 --> 00:13:38.570 how they want to live in their house And think 00:13:38.570 --> 00:13:41.169 about their style too. It's really important 00:13:41.169 --> 00:13:44.070 and this is where I kind of come in That it's 00:13:44.070 --> 00:13:46.210 really important that they still feel like it's 00:13:46.210 --> 00:13:48.529 their home and their environment. It's their 00:13:48.529 --> 00:13:51.570 oasis So they want to be comfortable in their 00:13:51.570 --> 00:13:53.950 home and they don't want to feel like someone's 00:13:53.950 --> 00:13:56.330 just coming in and just redoing everything for 00:13:56.330 --> 00:13:58.850 the safety issue And now it's going to be like 00:13:58.850 --> 00:14:02.009 a hospital. So that's what we try to prevent 00:14:03.430 --> 00:14:06.750 And again, it's just by knowing what finishes 00:14:06.750 --> 00:14:11.090 to pick out, what colors to pick out, that's 00:14:11.090 --> 00:14:13.850 going to also work for the client themselves 00:14:13.850 --> 00:14:17.110 and what they like and what they envision the 00:14:17.110 --> 00:14:19.950 environment to be. So once I've done that first 00:14:19.950 --> 00:14:24.269 initial consultation, then I do write up a report. 00:14:24.409 --> 00:14:27.909 which I present to them, they look the report 00:14:27.909 --> 00:14:31.570 over, and then it's up to them to decide whether 00:14:31.570 --> 00:14:34.809 they'll just keep the report. Sometimes we'll 00:14:34.809 --> 00:14:37.309 have to prioritize what we think is the most 00:14:37.309 --> 00:14:41.269 important things to do first, so they don't get 00:14:41.269 --> 00:14:45.870 overwhelmed. And they'll either ask for my help. 00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:50.299 To to move on to these projects where I can bring 00:14:50.299 --> 00:14:53.779 in the people that I know as contractors and 00:14:53.779 --> 00:14:56.559 things like that, or they'll just take the report 00:14:56.559 --> 00:14:59.220 and then work on it themselves. So they have 00:14:59.220 --> 00:15:02.720 their choice. Sometimes they decide to do it 00:15:02.720 --> 00:15:05.019 on their own. They find that it's overwhelming 00:15:05.019 --> 00:15:11.279 and they call me back in again. So. So that's 00:15:11.279 --> 00:15:15.799 usually the way I work. And again, it's really, 00:15:17.659 --> 00:15:20.639 however the client really wants to work with 00:15:20.639 --> 00:15:23.340 me, I'm always there for them. And as you know, 00:15:23.480 --> 00:15:26.620 too, Esther, it's not just the infrastructure 00:15:26.620 --> 00:15:29.840 of the home that's important, but it's all the 00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:33.039 puzzle pieces that are put together, all the 00:15:33.039 --> 00:15:35.789 support. that these people are going to need, 00:15:35.870 --> 00:15:37.990 the clients are going to need in order to stay 00:15:37.990 --> 00:15:42.789 in their homes. Our homes, even if they're universally 00:15:42.789 --> 00:15:45.649 designed or aging in place as far as safety, 00:15:46.330 --> 00:15:49.250 it doesn't mean that that's all you're going 00:15:49.250 --> 00:15:52.659 to need to be able to stay in your home. It's 00:15:52.659 --> 00:15:54.899 all the other support systems that are really 00:15:54.899 --> 00:15:57.740 important. And this is where it's important, 00:15:57.779 --> 00:16:01.820 like for myself, to get to know trusted people 00:16:01.820 --> 00:16:05.559 that I can recommend in the industry to help 00:16:05.559 --> 00:16:09.220 whatever needs that they have at the time. Exactly. 00:16:09.360 --> 00:16:12.000 That is so true. And that's even more important, 00:16:12.019 --> 00:16:15.789 I think, or at least I've seen that. that glaring 00:16:15.789 --> 00:16:21.250 need in more rural areas. They've been living 00:16:21.250 --> 00:16:24.490 in this home that's miles from the next neighbor, 00:16:25.769 --> 00:16:29.929 and yeah, you can universal design the heck out 00:16:29.929 --> 00:16:34.929 of that house, but if they are so far from services 00:16:34.929 --> 00:16:40.070 that they may eventually need, it's... It's almost 00:16:40.070 --> 00:16:46.080 a futile event, but it's difficult to... It's 00:16:46.080 --> 00:16:48.879 difficult to change. I get that. I get that. 00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:52.259 But you're right. Support is so, so necessary. 00:16:52.379 --> 00:16:54.759 That's why I always encourage people, you know, 00:16:54.899 --> 00:16:58.379 join as many things as you can feel comfortable 00:16:58.379 --> 00:17:01.799 with, you know, whatever, church, volunteer group, 00:17:02.299 --> 00:17:05.279 you know, anything, whatever it is that people 00:17:05.279 --> 00:17:07.880 get to know you and you can build that community 00:17:07.880 --> 00:17:10.829 because you're not the only one. There's so many 00:17:10.829 --> 00:17:14.009 others out there that are in need of that. Have 00:17:14.009 --> 00:17:19.549 you found it difficult to find contractors, handymen, 00:17:19.890 --> 00:17:22.250 electrician, whatever that work with you that 00:17:22.250 --> 00:17:24.829 have that knowledge base or does it matter that 00:17:24.829 --> 00:17:28.750 they have that knowledge base? I feel like it 00:17:28.750 --> 00:17:31.230 doesn't matter as far as the work that they can 00:17:31.230 --> 00:17:35.230 accomplish, but it matters to me that When I'm 00:17:35.230 --> 00:17:38.930 talking to contractors or handyman or anybody 00:17:38.930 --> 00:17:41.690 else that I need to bring in to help me make 00:17:41.690 --> 00:17:45.750 this this home safer. We should be on the same 00:17:45.750 --> 00:17:48.769 page. They should know the language that I'm 00:17:48.769 --> 00:17:52.170 speaking. They should know that if we're going 00:17:52.170 --> 00:17:59.559 to put a no entry way, no step shower that. They 00:17:59.559 --> 00:18:02.460 know that the plumbers that need to know the 00:18:02.460 --> 00:18:06.200 type of drainage system that we need. So there 00:18:06.200 --> 00:18:08.700 aren't any problems in the future, you know, 00:18:09.299 --> 00:18:12.519 and just to get to know the terminology and for 00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:16.220 them really to be on the same page as I am as 00:18:16.220 --> 00:18:21.420 far as my knowledge. When I'm talking to contractors 00:18:21.420 --> 00:18:23.519 and handymen, I'm always telling them, you know, 00:18:23.660 --> 00:18:27.339 it's not that difficult to go get your CAP certification 00:18:27.339 --> 00:18:31.680 just so you know what people are talking about. 00:18:32.559 --> 00:18:35.119 And some of them have, and some of them just 00:18:35.119 --> 00:18:36.980 say, well, I've always done this the way I've 00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:42.059 always done it. But it's really important as 00:18:42.059 --> 00:18:46.440 far as I'm concerned. for them to know you know 00:18:46.440 --> 00:18:49.660 about aging in place and what can be done so 00:18:49.660 --> 00:18:54.339 we can actually really collaborate together on 00:18:54.339 --> 00:18:57.660 a project. Exactly because the language is so 00:18:57.660 --> 00:19:00.140 important and I was happy you know when I took 00:19:00.140 --> 00:19:02.640 the when I took my CAPS course it was so nice 00:19:02.640 --> 00:19:06.240 to see contractors in there because then you 00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:11.160 know number one They're not only building their 00:19:11.160 --> 00:19:15.720 skill set, but they're also recognizing the trend 00:19:15.720 --> 00:19:19.660 of how things are going. I mean, with 10 ,000 00:19:19.660 --> 00:19:23.660 plus people a day turning 65 for many years to 00:19:23.660 --> 00:19:28.819 come, it just makes sense to add that skill set 00:19:28.819 --> 00:19:33.819 to your background of information, to what you're 00:19:33.819 --> 00:19:37.170 doing. especially nowadays. I mean, the days 00:19:37.170 --> 00:19:40.730 of having one skill and having that your entire 00:19:40.730 --> 00:19:43.130 life and retiring with the Golden Watch, those 00:19:43.130 --> 00:19:46.849 days are gone. Yeah. You know, we all need multiple 00:19:46.849 --> 00:19:50.769 skills in order to continue growing. Yes. And 00:19:50.769 --> 00:19:53.769 I always loved the idea of continuing working. 00:19:54.450 --> 00:19:59.170 You know, retiring is not, I mean, it's an option, 00:19:59.190 --> 00:20:02.759 but it To me, retiring is working because you 00:20:02.759 --> 00:20:05.319 have to keep active. You have to keep learning 00:20:05.319 --> 00:20:08.440 and you have to keep involved, I think. Engaged, 00:20:08.559 --> 00:20:11.460 right? Yes. Yeah, I think. I mean, when I speak 00:20:11.460 --> 00:20:15.119 to my friends who are retired and literally retired, 00:20:15.119 --> 00:20:17.279 you know, and you go out to dinner with them. 00:20:17.420 --> 00:20:21.859 So what have you been up to? Nothing. You want 00:20:21.859 --> 00:20:25.259 to... constantly engage yourself, I think, which 00:20:25.259 --> 00:20:28.319 really helps to keep you young. And universal 00:20:28.319 --> 00:20:32.799 design, aging in place concepts, you know, design 00:20:32.799 --> 00:20:38.500 itself is forever evolving and changing. And 00:20:38.500 --> 00:20:42.140 I mean, now I think I saw the other day some 00:20:42.140 --> 00:20:46.450 kind of paint that's anti... bacterial or yes 00:20:46.450 --> 00:20:49.990 something like that exactly yeah i mean it's 00:20:49.990 --> 00:20:52.289 just amazing the things that they're coming out 00:20:52.289 --> 00:20:56.670 with i i saw also a light overhead light i think 00:20:56.670 --> 00:21:00.589 it's called numi i'm not 100 sure but not only 00:21:00.589 --> 00:21:04.349 is it a ceiling light but it's also a fall detection 00:21:04.349 --> 00:21:07.990 device you know which can identify if you fall 00:21:07.990 --> 00:21:13.009 i mean i love that integration of design and 00:21:13.009 --> 00:21:16.329 pragmatics Yes, and that's what's getting so 00:21:16.329 --> 00:21:19.490 exciting about this whole sector is people are 00:21:19.490 --> 00:21:21.950 starting to realize that this is important and 00:21:21.950 --> 00:21:24.190 they're getting so creative with their products 00:21:24.190 --> 00:21:28.650 now, you know, and it's so exciting to see. And 00:21:28.650 --> 00:21:32.150 it's great just to look up everything new that's 00:21:32.150 --> 00:21:34.869 coming up and see how you can apply it to maybe 00:21:34.869 --> 00:21:39.549 your next project. And to me, that's really exciting 00:21:39.549 --> 00:21:44.480 what's going on now in this industry. And that 00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:47.140 people are starting to realize that you know 00:21:47.140 --> 00:21:50.380 it is a real thing aging in place and we really 00:21:50.380 --> 00:21:53.420 stop me to start focusing on it and people have 00:21:53.420 --> 00:21:57.440 started so it's yeah it's a lot of fun to i really 00:21:57.440 --> 00:22:02.299 get very passionate on this. This topic and you 00:22:02.299 --> 00:22:05.619 talk about me retiring and you know i'm the age 00:22:05.619 --> 00:22:08.640 that i can reach and i'm saying every time i 00:22:08.640 --> 00:22:13.200 think about slowing down i said. But no, I can't. 00:22:13.799 --> 00:22:16.519 And then I find something else that I find interest 00:22:16.519 --> 00:22:22.480 in. So now my new passion too, along with aging 00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:26.000 and places, what's the housing going to be like? 00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:31.059 the situation for solo agers and, you know, we 00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:33.759 have to come up with other types of housing and 00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:36.440 things like that. So I've kind of drifted off 00:22:36.440 --> 00:22:39.619 a little bit now, and I'm getting involved with 00:22:39.619 --> 00:22:43.539 all these organizations to find solutions for 00:22:43.539 --> 00:22:47.240 different types of housing, you know. So I'm 00:22:47.240 --> 00:22:49.380 obviously being stimulated, you know, again, 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:55.200 for the same reason, but just... you know, widening 00:22:55.200 --> 00:22:58.140 my, my, my goals and expectations. And it's, 00:22:58.279 --> 00:23:00.440 it's really, I said, why, why would I retire? 00:23:00.960 --> 00:23:04.440 I know, I know exactly. I mean, that word isn't 00:23:04.440 --> 00:23:06.740 even here. I mean, I'm at that age, I'm past 00:23:06.740 --> 00:23:09.519 the age of retiring into the official, whatever 00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:13.960 retiring. But it's just, it's, it's amazing to, 00:23:14.079 --> 00:23:16.079 cause you're right. You get that stimulation, 00:23:16.119 --> 00:23:19.640 you get that excitement. And also on top of that, 00:23:19.640 --> 00:23:22.380 you're helping others. You know, you're helping 00:23:22.380 --> 00:23:26.059 them. to continue their life and live independently. 00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:29.119 That's what the majority of older adults want, 00:23:29.259 --> 00:23:33.059 in my experience, is to be independent. And with 00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:37.859 so many, as you said, living solo, solo agers, 00:23:38.079 --> 00:23:41.740 my husband passed away years ago, so I get that. 00:23:42.339 --> 00:23:46.220 Now what? Now what do you do? How do you... change 00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:49.660 your environment, how do you accommodate that, 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:52.240 what do you do? So that's why I love that whole 00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:55.099 concept of the village movement. Do you know 00:23:55.099 --> 00:23:58.579 about that? I do, I do. Yeah, I love that idea 00:23:58.579 --> 00:24:01.420 because here now you've got a group of people 00:24:01.420 --> 00:24:05.180 in a community and I think it started up in Boston. 00:24:05.279 --> 00:24:09.450 It did, in the Back Bay area. It did, yes. Yeah, 00:24:09.450 --> 00:24:12.609 so I love that idea. Isn't it? That is wonderful. 00:24:12.609 --> 00:24:16.230 You know, expanding and here they are. That is 00:24:16.230 --> 00:24:21.009 a great group of people, I think, to educate 00:24:21.009 --> 00:24:24.289 them on that whole concept because they are actually 00:24:24.289 --> 00:24:28.029 aging in place, but assisting each other. Exactly. 00:24:28.150 --> 00:24:31.109 In that community. I love that idea. So you're 00:24:31.109 --> 00:24:33.869 right. There's always so many new things. I'm 00:24:33.869 --> 00:24:37.410 waiting for a new design for the Alexa devices. 00:24:38.200 --> 00:24:41.299 They all kind of look the same, so I'm waiting 00:24:41.299 --> 00:24:44.160 for them to get a little more integrated into 00:24:44.160 --> 00:24:48.500 actual design. How can you make them look like 00:24:48.500 --> 00:24:52.960 part of the room, part of the area? Because I 00:24:52.960 --> 00:24:57.480 think those devices are so important for safety 00:24:57.480 --> 00:25:02.710 and so many things. You know, my mom -in -law 00:25:02.710 --> 00:25:06.369 was, I think, 95 before we introduced it to her 00:25:06.369 --> 00:25:08.470 and when we first introduced her, and she had 00:25:08.470 --> 00:25:11.190 a hard time using it. You know, she kept yelling 00:25:11.190 --> 00:25:16.529 at it. It just wasn't working. So I get that. 00:25:16.710 --> 00:25:19.450 It's just a foreign thing. I understand that. 00:25:19.529 --> 00:25:24.269 But I think, you know, in baby boomers, you know, 00:25:24.309 --> 00:25:27.630 we've been with it for a while now. So I think 00:25:27.630 --> 00:25:32.819 for us integrating that, It'll be a lot easier 00:25:32.819 --> 00:25:35.259 for us to continue using that. But yeah, I'd 00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:38.099 love to see a new design of that so that it's 00:25:38.099 --> 00:25:41.759 integrated into the room. It doesn't look like 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:44.799 an Alexa device. So that goes all under the smart 00:25:44.799 --> 00:25:49.039 home environment. Yes. Which, you know, as you 00:25:49.039 --> 00:25:54.200 mentioned, you know, Since we've been around 00:25:54.200 --> 00:25:57.039 some of this technology for a while, we're getting 00:25:57.039 --> 00:25:59.799 used to it. But the real older adults, this is 00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:03.890 all new to them. As years, you know, as time 00:26:03.890 --> 00:26:06.809 goes on, we're gonna be more familiar, we're 00:26:06.809 --> 00:26:09.750 gonna be more used to having, you know, again, 00:26:10.069 --> 00:26:12.250 when you talked about the smart home, it used 00:26:12.250 --> 00:26:14.609 to be just for the luxury homes, but now it's 00:26:14.609 --> 00:26:17.369 almost a necessity now when you really think 00:26:17.369 --> 00:26:21.029 about the safety of your home and what you can 00:26:21.029 --> 00:26:26.809 do to integrate the safety and not have it show, 00:26:26.809 --> 00:26:28.910 you know, around the house that you don't even 00:26:28.910 --> 00:26:33.569 know that it's there. So now it is becoming more 00:26:33.569 --> 00:26:36.549 popular. It's been a lot of times put in the 00:26:36.549 --> 00:26:39.230 budget, which at one time it was never put in 00:26:39.230 --> 00:26:43.089 the budget. So I think we're going to see more 00:26:43.089 --> 00:26:47.089 and more of that acceptance now too. So like 00:26:47.089 --> 00:26:50.470 everything else, as time goes on, more things 00:26:50.470 --> 00:26:55.349 will be accepted and easier to use too. I think 00:26:55.349 --> 00:26:58.109 so. I think so. I mean, it would be great to 00:26:58.109 --> 00:27:02.000 see Alexa devices look like a painting. Yes, 00:27:02.160 --> 00:27:04.599 you know something that is hung on the wall and 00:27:04.599 --> 00:27:07.819 then when you need it you can activate it tap 00:27:07.819 --> 00:27:11.420 it and it turns into a screen and You know, I've 00:27:11.420 --> 00:27:13.920 even seen years ago where kitchen countertops 00:27:14.089 --> 00:27:18.289 will be integrated with screens and videos. And 00:27:18.289 --> 00:27:22.029 I mean, there's just so much Jetson kind of thing. 00:27:22.069 --> 00:27:24.450 You know, we're all waiting for Rosie the robot, 00:27:24.450 --> 00:27:29.650 right? Yes, all of them, please. That's right. 00:27:30.069 --> 00:27:32.829 That's right. Want to drive you want to clean 00:27:32.829 --> 00:27:37.990 the house? Yeah, yeah, yeah. I get it. I get 00:27:37.990 --> 00:27:40.970 it. I'm still waiting. I hope I live long enough 00:27:40.970 --> 00:27:45.069 to see that. That's my dream, that's true. So 00:27:45.069 --> 00:27:49.430 are there any tools or gadgets that you love 00:27:49.430 --> 00:27:52.109 to recommend to people that they don't normally 00:27:52.109 --> 00:27:56.190 think about adding to their home to make the 00:27:56.190 --> 00:28:00.829 home more age in place friendly or senior friendly? 00:28:01.289 --> 00:28:06.150 Well, I guess what I can offer is that there 00:28:06.150 --> 00:28:09.730 are things that you can do today in your home 00:28:09.730 --> 00:28:15.799 that isn't very expensive to do. And anyone can 00:28:15.799 --> 00:28:19.160 actually do it is so things that I do suggest 00:28:19.160 --> 00:28:22.519 right off the bat is actually picking up all 00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:26.480 the scatter rugs in the house. If you do have 00:28:26.480 --> 00:28:29.359 an area, then make sure that it's taped down 00:28:29.359 --> 00:28:31.859 around the edges. So there is not a tripping 00:28:31.859 --> 00:28:35.619 fall. Yes, as I mentioned, as far as the door 00:28:35.619 --> 00:28:38.900 knobs change all the door knobs. to the lever 00:28:38.900 --> 00:28:42.720 handles, it just makes it easier for everyone 00:28:42.720 --> 00:28:44.819 just to open up the door. I mean, you can always, 00:28:45.099 --> 00:28:46.759 even if you have things in your hands, you can 00:28:46.759 --> 00:28:50.519 always use your elbow. Where you place the microwave, 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:56.160 it always upsets me when I go into a 55 plus 00:28:56.160 --> 00:29:00.519 unit and they have the microwave over the stove. 00:29:00.940 --> 00:29:03.970 And I'm sitting. What is this? How can you call 00:29:03.970 --> 00:29:08.730 yourselves 55 plus and have still not have it? 00:29:09.759 --> 00:29:13.079 for anyone to age in this area. It just doesn't 00:29:13.079 --> 00:29:17.500 make sense. So things like that, the faucets. 00:29:17.839 --> 00:29:21.319 So one of the newer gadgets, I mean, they're 00:29:21.319 --> 00:29:23.640 about 10 years old and each year now they get 00:29:23.640 --> 00:29:27.920 better and better for functionality. But the 00:29:27.920 --> 00:29:31.200 wand faucets in the kitchen, which makes it really 00:29:31.200 --> 00:29:34.559 easy when you're working around the kitchen that 00:29:34.559 --> 00:29:36.859 you don't have to turn the knobs on. You can 00:29:36.859 --> 00:29:41.900 just wave your hand and and have the water come 00:29:41.900 --> 00:29:45.420 out. Right. And that's so important if you have 00:29:45.420 --> 00:29:48.079 severe arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis 00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:51.440 to just be able to do that and have it activated 00:29:51.440 --> 00:29:54.660 and then turn it off as well. Yeah. And cleanliness 00:29:54.660 --> 00:29:57.259 too. You're not getting the faucet all dirty 00:29:57.259 --> 00:30:00.019 and things like that if you've been working with 00:30:00.019 --> 00:30:03.180 chicken and things like that. And then in the 00:30:03.180 --> 00:30:06.359 kitchen too. So a lot of times if I'm working 00:30:06.359 --> 00:30:09.740 for a remodel in a kitchen, I always recommend 00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:14.660 taking all the knobs off and having pulls put 00:30:14.660 --> 00:30:17.920 on that you can really put your hands under and 00:30:17.920 --> 00:30:21.440 just pull without having to clutch the knob. 00:30:22.059 --> 00:30:24.640 And again, because of dexterity issues, whether 00:30:24.640 --> 00:30:27.000 you have them now, but just now again, thinking 00:30:27.000 --> 00:30:30.319 in the future, why should you wait until something 00:30:30.319 --> 00:30:34.549 happens or you come... down with arthritis that 00:30:34.549 --> 00:30:37.410 you can't open up your cabinets anymore. Why 00:30:37.410 --> 00:30:40.049 don't we make these changes now? And you know 00:30:40.049 --> 00:30:43.069 something, it looks really nice and updated now. 00:30:43.730 --> 00:30:47.529 It has a nice updated look. So you're hitting 00:30:47.529 --> 00:30:52.230 two things with one change, an updated look, 00:30:52.930 --> 00:30:56.789 but functionality for the future too. So just 00:30:56.789 --> 00:30:59.109 think about that. It's true. It's true. I just 00:30:59.109 --> 00:31:02.369 had, I had a designer who wanted me to put down 00:31:02.369 --> 00:31:07.630 rugs. And I said, oh no, as an OT, I am anti 00:31:07.630 --> 00:31:10.630 rug, but I love the look of them. So I found, 00:31:10.769 --> 00:31:12.549 I don't know if you can see behind me, I found 00:31:12.549 --> 00:31:16.869 these vinyl rugs, which is just, I mean, they're 00:31:16.869 --> 00:31:19.750 extremely, extremely thin. They're anti slip. 00:31:20.029 --> 00:31:22.849 And because they're vinyl, they're so easy to 00:31:22.849 --> 00:31:25.480 clean. And especially with pets, you know, I 00:31:25.480 --> 00:31:29.299 have, I have, so it's just extremely. So I tell 00:31:29.299 --> 00:31:32.339 everyone if you absolutely have to have a rug, 00:31:32.700 --> 00:31:35.940 which I get it aesthetically, it does look great. 00:31:36.339 --> 00:31:39.900 Um, at least go with something like that. Something 00:31:39.900 --> 00:31:43.960 with a very, very low pile. Right. And getting 00:31:43.960 --> 00:31:46.279 back to your question too, as far as new products 00:31:46.279 --> 00:31:48.839 out there. So when we're talking about aging 00:31:48.839 --> 00:31:51.220 in place too, we're thinking about maintenance 00:31:51.220 --> 00:31:54.599 too, easy maintenance. Yes. Which is a big thing. 00:31:54.920 --> 00:31:59.640 So now a lot of products for bathroom surrounds 00:31:59.640 --> 00:32:06.799 are just these sheets of material that look like 00:32:06.799 --> 00:32:10.960 marble. They look like a tile, but all you need 00:32:10.960 --> 00:32:13.619 to do is just wipe them down. There's no grout, 00:32:13.740 --> 00:32:16.420 even though it looks like grout. but they're 00:32:16.420 --> 00:32:19.799 not real grout lines. So again, easy maintenance, 00:32:20.480 --> 00:32:25.200 but again, a nice updated, fresh look. So this 00:32:25.200 --> 00:32:28.680 is why I get so excited because new things are 00:32:28.680 --> 00:32:32.519 always, always coming out now and people are 00:32:32.519 --> 00:32:36.299 really becoming very innovative with their. They 00:32:36.299 --> 00:32:40.019 are what is that material that those surround 00:32:40.019 --> 00:32:44.180 shower and bathtub. So there are there are different 00:32:44.180 --> 00:32:47.940 ones. I just spoke to somebody who their business 00:32:47.940 --> 00:32:52.500 is actually the surround is a click mechanism. 00:32:53.160 --> 00:32:57.990 So that, but you don't see the lines. But again, 00:32:58.170 --> 00:33:02.109 it looks like a tile, but there's a lot of this 00:33:02.109 --> 00:33:05.930 good insulation in the back, and it doesn't promote 00:33:05.930 --> 00:33:09.230 mold and things like that. And they're a little 00:33:09.230 --> 00:33:11.410 thicker. Then there was somebody else that I 00:33:11.410 --> 00:33:15.349 was talking to, and their surround is actually 00:33:15.349 --> 00:33:18.829 like a quartz material, but it's very, very thin. 00:33:19.839 --> 00:33:23.759 And those are slabs that they can put on too. 00:33:24.619 --> 00:33:27.779 So there's a lot of different things out there. 00:33:27.859 --> 00:33:34.619 So it's not just one product. And yeah, so it's, 00:33:34.700 --> 00:33:37.839 again, it's just knowing what's out there and 00:33:37.839 --> 00:33:42.880 what to offer your client. You know, so. Yeah, 00:33:42.880 --> 00:33:45.059 and I would think that that's a constant learning. 00:33:45.359 --> 00:33:48.880 Yes, always, always. Right. Because as you said, 00:33:49.039 --> 00:33:51.680 there's so many new innovative products coming 00:33:51.680 --> 00:33:55.559 out now all the time. And I love your I mean, 00:33:55.680 --> 00:33:58.039 you know, you're right on the money when it comes 00:33:58.039 --> 00:34:02.920 to maintenance. Because as you get older, I mean, 00:34:03.079 --> 00:34:05.079 one, you're involved in a lot of activities, 00:34:05.599 --> 00:34:07.839 hopefully, you're doing a lot of things. So who 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:11.099 has time to sit and scrub the shower and all 00:34:11.099 --> 00:34:15.440 of that? And two, Excuse me. And two, you know, 00:34:15.860 --> 00:34:20.219 you may not have the physical stamina or capabilities 00:34:20.219 --> 00:34:24.940 anymore to maintain that as an OT, you know, 00:34:25.099 --> 00:34:27.739 going into assessing someone's home to see if 00:34:27.739 --> 00:34:30.739 they could go back home. You know, a lot of. 00:34:30.809 --> 00:34:34.989 places that I went to were in such disarray only 00:34:34.989 --> 00:34:38.909 because of lack of maintenance. They simply couldn't 00:34:38.909 --> 00:34:42.210 get down to clean the bathtub or the shower or 00:34:42.210 --> 00:34:44.909 the kitchen or the refrigerator or whatever. 00:34:46.130 --> 00:34:49.269 So yeah, that's why pullout shelves are easier 00:34:49.269 --> 00:34:52.829 to maintain. As you said, the surround showers 00:34:52.829 --> 00:34:56.510 are easier. Anything that you can do. Low maintenance 00:34:56.510 --> 00:35:00.909 is definitely a part, I think, of the concept 00:35:00.909 --> 00:35:04.210 of aging in place. So you're absolutely right. 00:35:04.570 --> 00:35:07.650 I think your clients are very lucky to get you. 00:35:07.650 --> 00:35:10.929 Oh, thank you, Esther. Sure, because your knowledge 00:35:10.929 --> 00:35:15.889 base is so expansive. I mean, absolutely. Do 00:35:15.889 --> 00:35:19.190 you have any... Oh, I wanted to ask you, what 00:35:19.190 --> 00:35:22.150 do you think about bidets? What do you think 00:35:22.150 --> 00:35:26.730 about incorporating those more into houses a 00:35:26.730 --> 00:35:30.210 bidet? Yeah. I think it's very important. Again, 00:35:30.289 --> 00:35:32.349 you know, we're in the U .S. too, we're kind 00:35:32.349 --> 00:35:35.409 of behind with the times a little bit too. You 00:35:35.409 --> 00:35:39.289 know, in Europe, everyone has bidets, you know, 00:35:39.369 --> 00:35:43.369 and they've always had them. Yeah. And just like 00:35:43.369 --> 00:35:46.010 wet rooms in the bathroom, you know, I mean. 00:35:46.110 --> 00:35:49.550 I know. We have no clue. And then it comes this 00:35:49.550 --> 00:35:51.789 way. It's like, I've never seen this before. 00:35:52.289 --> 00:35:55.750 I know. How about Barrick? But bidets to me, 00:35:55.829 --> 00:35:59.829 especially I think we realized too how important 00:35:59.829 --> 00:36:03.670 they were after the pandemic when we couldn't 00:36:03.670 --> 00:36:06.690 get the toilet paper and things like that. And 00:36:06.690 --> 00:36:11.789 you talk about sustainability. Instead of using 00:36:11.789 --> 00:36:14.369 all of this toilet paper and things like that, 00:36:14.809 --> 00:36:19.699 I mean, bidets, There's so many positive reasons 00:36:19.699 --> 00:36:22.900 why to have a bidet. I know too, as you get older, 00:36:23.159 --> 00:36:25.780 it makes it a little harder to clean properly 00:36:25.780 --> 00:36:30.519 and things like that. So a bidet is there and 00:36:30.519 --> 00:36:34.019 helps you keep fresh and clean and you don't 00:36:34.019 --> 00:36:37.159 have to worry because if you do let yourself 00:36:37.159 --> 00:36:40.920 go, then there are other issues that can cause 00:36:40.920 --> 00:36:46.530 health problems. To me, bidets are a big thing 00:36:46.530 --> 00:36:49.230 that should be incorporated in at least one bathroom 00:36:49.230 --> 00:36:53.949 that's used regularly. Yeah, I think so. And 00:36:53.949 --> 00:36:56.909 you're right. In America, it's such a foreign 00:36:56.909 --> 00:37:01.250 idea. You're like, what? Why would I have that? 00:37:02.050 --> 00:37:04.929 But when you really think about the pragmatic 00:37:04.929 --> 00:37:08.269 of it. And I mean, you're right, when you're 00:37:08.269 --> 00:37:12.570 building a 55 plus or a senior living community 00:37:12.570 --> 00:37:16.949 or whatever, why not incorporate? I mean, from 00:37:16.949 --> 00:37:19.949 the get go, incorporate a bid day, you know, 00:37:20.050 --> 00:37:22.550 especially nowadays, because it's not as if you 00:37:22.550 --> 00:37:25.230 need two separate units. You know, it's just 00:37:25.230 --> 00:37:30.230 one unit. It just it makes so much sense. It 00:37:30.230 --> 00:37:33.860 does. So yeah, I like to talk about. the days 00:37:33.860 --> 00:37:35.960 you know because it's i think it's important 00:37:35.960 --> 00:37:38.820 and i think just like anything the more you talk 00:37:38.820 --> 00:37:42.300 about it the more normal it seems yes you know 00:37:42.300 --> 00:37:45.300 so then people will get used to the idea and 00:37:45.300 --> 00:37:47.860 they'll start asking for things like that and 00:37:47.860 --> 00:37:50.739 i think that's the key too as far as contractors 00:37:50.739 --> 00:37:54.820 and and developers that uh it's really important 00:37:54.820 --> 00:37:58.849 that we just keep educating people about universal 00:37:58.849 --> 00:38:02.289 design as it relates to aging in place. And once 00:38:02.289 --> 00:38:05.869 people get a handle of it and accept it and say 00:38:05.869 --> 00:38:09.829 to themselves, yes, this is what we need, they'll 00:38:09.829 --> 00:38:13.469 start asking for these elements. And then the 00:38:13.469 --> 00:38:16.329 contractors and the developers say, yes, we are 00:38:16.329 --> 00:38:19.130 gonna start doing this. That's right, that's 00:38:19.130 --> 00:38:22.949 right. And oftentimes I think it hits them like 00:38:22.949 --> 00:38:25.190 it hits you and like it hits most people when 00:38:25.190 --> 00:38:28.780 it's personal. Yes. When it happens to mom, dad, 00:38:29.280 --> 00:38:32.260 aunt, uncle, cousin, brother, sister, whatever, 00:38:32.800 --> 00:38:37.019 yeah, then it's like, oh, I get it now. Yeah, 00:38:37.159 --> 00:38:41.420 you're right. Do you have a client story of someone 00:38:41.420 --> 00:38:46.219 who you feel has done so well with aging in place 00:38:46.219 --> 00:38:50.380 as far as? altering their environment? Yeah, 00:38:50.400 --> 00:38:54.500 actually. So one of the clients that I'm really 00:38:54.500 --> 00:38:58.920 proud that I was able to help her. We have Habitat 00:38:58.920 --> 00:39:01.780 for Humanity here and there's a critical repair 00:39:01.780 --> 00:39:05.400 program that's part of it. And people are able 00:39:05.400 --> 00:39:08.760 to put in an application for some home repairs 00:39:08.760 --> 00:39:14.409 that either they can't afford or that are needed 00:39:14.409 --> 00:39:16.590 for them to live safely in their homes, like 00:39:16.590 --> 00:39:19.429 putting up grab bars and things like that. So 00:39:19.429 --> 00:39:22.929 this particular woman got put in her application 00:39:22.929 --> 00:39:26.849 for the critical repair program. And her problem 00:39:26.849 --> 00:39:29.929 was that doctors weren't listening to her as 00:39:29.929 --> 00:39:32.570 far as her falling in the house all the time 00:39:32.570 --> 00:39:38.570 and just different things that. that she was 00:39:38.570 --> 00:39:41.250 coming up with, in a way they weren't even believing 00:39:41.250 --> 00:39:44.389 her. So she said, you know, I just need to do 00:39:44.389 --> 00:39:46.949 something in my house just so I don't keep falling 00:39:46.949 --> 00:39:50.190 and things like that. So they actually got in 00:39:50.190 --> 00:39:53.150 touch with me, the Habitat got in touch with 00:39:53.150 --> 00:39:56.309 me so I could do a consult, an in -home consult 00:39:56.309 --> 00:40:00.329 for this woman. And I came up with a nice... 00:40:00.280 --> 00:40:04.300 two -page report for her as far as putting handrails 00:40:04.300 --> 00:40:08.099 in as far as her entryway from the outside. She 00:40:08.099 --> 00:40:11.619 had a lot of rugs everywhere. Just things like 00:40:11.619 --> 00:40:14.460 that that I just noted and I told her how, you 00:40:14.460 --> 00:40:18.960 know, we could fix the problem and she was just 00:40:18.960 --> 00:40:22.119 so grateful. She did everything to the point 00:40:22.119 --> 00:40:25.300 now that she's actually volunteering for Habitat. 00:40:25.360 --> 00:40:30.039 trying to help others. So that is a great story. 00:40:30.539 --> 00:40:34.019 That was a really a real special client for me 00:40:34.019 --> 00:40:39.360 that really kind of belittled what I do and why 00:40:39.360 --> 00:40:48.139 I do it. Agism is definitely an issue in healthcare. 00:40:49.159 --> 00:40:52.079 You get to a certain age, and especially women, 00:40:52.199 --> 00:40:56.599 I don't know why, but I know a lot of women in 00:40:56.599 --> 00:40:59.539 that stage where the doctors or healthcare professionals 00:40:59.539 --> 00:41:04.059 just aren't listening to them. My poor mom -in 00:41:04.059 --> 00:41:06.400 -law, she went through that too. In her 90s, 00:41:06.500 --> 00:41:09.050 she would complain about this or that. And the 00:41:09.050 --> 00:41:11.150 doctors were like, well, yeah, you know, you're 00:41:11.150 --> 00:41:17.190 92. So, I mean, to a certain extent, OK, but 00:41:17.190 --> 00:41:19.510 I'd rather them say, I wish I could help you. 00:41:19.530 --> 00:41:21.690 I don't know what to do. I mean, that would be 00:41:21.690 --> 00:41:24.130 the better answer instead of just dismissing 00:41:24.130 --> 00:41:30.900 it. You know, it is what it is. So this was great. 00:41:30.980 --> 00:41:34.880 Do you have any advice for upcoming designers 00:41:34.880 --> 00:41:40.159 who may not even realize about this whole concept 00:41:40.159 --> 00:41:43.019 and, you know, what would you say to them or 00:41:43.019 --> 00:41:46.280 how, if you were to speak to a class of designers, 00:41:46.380 --> 00:41:50.860 what would you say? So I'm actually giving We 00:41:50.860 --> 00:41:52.940 have a lot of community colleges and colleges 00:41:52.940 --> 00:41:56.320 around this area, and some of them do provide 00:41:56.320 --> 00:42:01.199 a certificate or a degree in interior design. 00:42:01.840 --> 00:42:05.440 So I'm actually, I came up with a program just 00:42:05.440 --> 00:42:08.639 for universal design. I'm not the interior design 00:42:08.639 --> 00:42:12.360 instructor, but I've been brought in to teach 00:42:12.360 --> 00:42:15.820 universal design as it relates to aging in place. 00:42:15.980 --> 00:42:20.300 So they can get. a hand on what this is all about 00:42:20.300 --> 00:42:23.260 and maybe they can start focusing on something 00:42:23.260 --> 00:42:27.400 like this. I actually have a lot of OTs that 00:42:27.400 --> 00:42:29.400 come to me and say, this is something that I 00:42:29.400 --> 00:42:32.559 really want to start doing for my clients. How 00:42:32.559 --> 00:42:35.099 would you recommend me going about it? Should 00:42:35.099 --> 00:42:37.400 I go for my interior design degree, too? I say, 00:42:37.420 --> 00:42:39.659 no, no, no, no, no. You don't need to do that. 00:42:40.000 --> 00:42:42.840 But start with getting knowledge of universal 00:42:42.840 --> 00:42:46.260 design and getting your CAP certificate. And 00:42:46.260 --> 00:42:49.780 once you have that under your belt, then you'll 00:42:49.780 --> 00:42:54.420 have a good education. focus behind you to know 00:42:54.420 --> 00:42:57.000 what to look for and what to recommend. You don't 00:42:57.000 --> 00:42:59.800 need your whole interior design. And as far as 00:42:59.800 --> 00:43:02.119 products coming up, that's something that, you 00:43:02.119 --> 00:43:05.059 know, if you start belonging to different organizations 00:43:05.059 --> 00:43:09.019 and networking, you'll be getting all of that 00:43:09.019 --> 00:43:12.380 that you're going to need in order to help your 00:43:12.380 --> 00:43:18.710 clients. So that's what I recommend is just You 00:43:18.710 --> 00:43:23.090 know, educating, whether I'm going to, you know, 00:43:23.309 --> 00:43:26.809 a facility or online, just educating yourself 00:43:26.809 --> 00:43:31.130 about aging in place, universal design, and getting 00:43:31.130 --> 00:43:34.750 some type of certificate to give you some credibility. 00:43:35.630 --> 00:43:39.190 You know, when you talk to people and you say, 00:43:39.289 --> 00:43:41.429 yeah, this is what I do, but okay, so what's 00:43:41.429 --> 00:43:44.449 your background in it? So what organizations 00:43:44.449 --> 00:43:46.969 do you recommend that people join, or what are 00:43:46.969 --> 00:43:50.389 you involved in? So one of the organizations, 00:43:50.650 --> 00:43:55.190 so of course for Aging in Place, I am now a member 00:43:55.190 --> 00:43:58.090 of your and Janet's Aging in Place directory, 00:43:58.570 --> 00:44:02.210 which is wonderful. You know, that's one of the 00:44:02.210 --> 00:44:04.829 things that when I started working in the sector, 00:44:06.329 --> 00:44:11.579 I knew I needed vetted people that I could work 00:44:11.579 --> 00:44:17.159 with, that I could trust to refer to my clients. 00:44:17.400 --> 00:44:20.360 And I didn't know where to begin. And that's 00:44:20.360 --> 00:44:25.420 when I started doing some research. And I came 00:44:25.420 --> 00:44:28.679 across the Aging in Place National Aging in Place 00:44:28.679 --> 00:44:31.719 Council. And I noticed that we didn't have a 00:44:31.719 --> 00:44:34.860 mass chapter here. So I was originally one of 00:44:34.860 --> 00:44:37.559 the founding members of the National Aging in 00:44:37.559 --> 00:44:41.000 Place Council in Massachusetts. Wow. They had 00:44:41.000 --> 00:44:43.840 one and then it went defunct a little bit and 00:44:43.840 --> 00:44:47.929 we kind of resurrected. So that's how I started 00:44:47.929 --> 00:44:50.809 and then just getting involved with things around 00:44:50.809 --> 00:44:54.309 this area. And then again, when I came up, when 00:44:54.309 --> 00:44:56.329 I started aging in place directory, I said, oh, 00:44:56.329 --> 00:44:58.809 this is another great resource that I need to 00:44:58.809 --> 00:45:02.010 get involved in because it's just so important. 00:45:02.230 --> 00:45:04.789 The education that you give to people in general, 00:45:04.789 --> 00:45:08.289 and then getting people of the profession together 00:45:08.289 --> 00:45:12.070 so we can get to know one another. So we can 00:45:12.070 --> 00:45:15.710 talk about, you know, things that we go through 00:45:15.710 --> 00:45:18.929 in our industry that we can help one another 00:45:18.929 --> 00:45:22.929 with. So I think it's great that what you and 00:45:22.929 --> 00:45:26.869 Esther, that you and Janet had done. And of course, 00:45:27.150 --> 00:45:30.170 your Senior Safety Advice website, which I've 00:45:30.170 --> 00:45:33.389 been on a few times too. Things like this is 00:45:33.389 --> 00:45:37.090 just so important, not just people in general, 00:45:37.349 --> 00:45:40.730 but people in the industry too. So I thank you 00:45:40.730 --> 00:45:43.960 for all that you're doing. Oh, thank you. Thank 00:45:43.960 --> 00:45:47.440 you. Yeah, I was very surprised at the lack of 00:45:47.440 --> 00:45:50.460 communities that do that, because you're right. 00:45:50.619 --> 00:45:52.980 I mean, all the aging in place, and then you 00:45:52.980 --> 00:45:55.940 know that there are so many people involved in 00:45:55.940 --> 00:45:59.500 this process. You know, why aren't they, why 00:45:59.500 --> 00:46:02.599 can't you find them all in one place? And then 00:46:02.599 --> 00:46:04.880 we were getting emails and phone calls from people. 00:46:04.940 --> 00:46:08.480 I mean, here we are promoting to do it. And they 00:46:08.480 --> 00:46:11.739 were like, okay, great. You know, I agree. I 00:46:11.739 --> 00:46:15.480 want to do it, but who do I call to do it? I'm 00:46:15.480 --> 00:46:18.340 thinking, well, you just go online. I mean, they're 00:46:18.340 --> 00:46:21.539 everywhere. And I couldn't find them. They were 00:46:21.539 --> 00:46:25.519 so hard. One on Facebook, one on LinkedIn. They 00:46:25.519 --> 00:46:28.659 were scattered everywhere. I said, look, we're 00:46:28.659 --> 00:46:30.599 going to have to bite the bullet and make this 00:46:30.599 --> 00:46:36.179 thing. But it's been a great project. And I'm 00:46:36.179 --> 00:46:40.949 so. proud actually to be part of it and honored 00:46:40.949 --> 00:46:44.050 to be part of it. And Janet is such a dynamo. 00:46:44.050 --> 00:46:47.550 She is. You know, with it as well. So I'm ungrateful 00:46:47.550 --> 00:46:51.670 that she let me in and help her. So she does 00:46:51.670 --> 00:46:55.309 all the great OT design stuff and I'm, you know, 00:46:55.429 --> 00:46:58.619 the engineer in the back with all the... SEO 00:46:58.619 --> 00:47:02.860 internet stuff. But collaboration together is 00:47:02.860 --> 00:47:05.980 just making this work and be being successful, 00:47:06.159 --> 00:47:08.440 you know, so. Exactly. That's what it's all about. 00:47:08.719 --> 00:47:12.099 But it's really, you know, as you said, it's 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:15.920 so grateful and so not grateful, but it's just 00:47:15.920 --> 00:47:18.960 it just fills your heart when you can do something 00:47:18.960 --> 00:47:23.059 for somebody and you're just I mean, it's everything. 00:47:24.069 --> 00:47:26.150 And, you know, as an OT, I mean, it's one of 00:47:26.150 --> 00:47:28.570 the reasons I went into OT, you know, I worked 00:47:28.570 --> 00:47:33.289 in head injury and it was just such an amazing, 00:47:33.369 --> 00:47:37.289 I still think of all my patients every day, you 00:47:37.289 --> 00:47:39.489 know, how are they doing, you know, what happened. 00:47:40.250 --> 00:47:42.590 It's just... And you really made a difference 00:47:42.590 --> 00:47:47.989 in their life, you know, and, you know, and that's 00:47:47.989 --> 00:47:50.110 what it's all about. That's what it's all about. 00:47:50.329 --> 00:47:52.735 At the end of the day, you know, when you're... 00:47:52.730 --> 00:47:57.269 When you're done with your days, you want to 00:47:57.269 --> 00:48:01.130 make sure that what you did impacted someone 00:48:01.130 --> 00:48:05.969 somewhere somehow. That's important. Oh, Evangeline, 00:48:06.030 --> 00:48:09.570 I want to thank you so much for being with me 00:48:09.570 --> 00:48:13.630 and sharing your sage advice. I think, again, 00:48:13.690 --> 00:48:15.510 I'm going to repeat, I think your clients are 00:48:15.510 --> 00:48:19.980 very, very lucky to... to have you. So if you're 00:48:19.980 --> 00:48:22.320 listening to this podcast, watching it on YouTube, 00:48:22.400 --> 00:48:26.059 check her out at Evangelineinteriors .com. She 00:48:26.059 --> 00:48:29.619 really does do design for ageless living. And 00:48:29.619 --> 00:48:33.000 I think that is so important, not only for seniors, 00:48:33.219 --> 00:48:36.880 but for family members with older adults, you 00:48:36.880 --> 00:48:39.599 know, in their lives. And I think it's so great 00:48:39.599 --> 00:48:42.639 that you're doing this for design students because 00:48:43.050 --> 00:48:46.230 I think later generations, people had children 00:48:46.230 --> 00:48:49.570 later. So a lot of these design students have 00:48:49.570 --> 00:48:53.510 older parents. And if not, at least grandparents. 00:48:54.489 --> 00:48:58.710 So they have a perfect demographic to work on. 00:48:59.090 --> 00:49:02.530 Yes, absolutely right there too, yes. Yeah, it 00:49:02.530 --> 00:49:04.250 would be interesting to see some of their case 00:49:04.250 --> 00:49:07.900 studies. Yes, but who knows maybe I can share 00:49:07.900 --> 00:49:15.719 you some in a year or two who knows All right, 00:49:15.800 --> 00:49:18.659 Vangeline, I hope you have a beautiful day and 00:49:18.659 --> 00:49:22.639 Again, thank you and we will see you again Thank 00:49:22.639 --> 00:49:24.940 you so much. It was a pleasure really speaking 00:49:24.940 --> 00:49:27.460 with you today. Thank you so much. But thanks 00:49:27.460 --> 00:49:29.320 Vangeline. Thanks. Take care