by HRRC Program Director Allison Urbanek

Recently I had the pleasure of attending a senior focus group at the Cleveland Heights Senior Center. I decided to go because I wanted to hear about the concerns of the aging population in our city. I learned a few things: 1) Cleveland Heights residents are die-hard residents. More than anything, they want to age right here – if not in their homes, in a senior housing facility within the city limits. 2) They are concerned with the lack of senior-friendly housing in the city. They want one-floor living with universal design, close to a bus line and the senior center.

The meeting ended with group members pledging to be “squeaky wheels.” I left feeling energized. After all, at HRRC we have started to incorporate the principles of “Aging in Place” and “Universal Design” into our workshops. We believe that it is essential that people think about these issues whenever they are repairing or improving their home. However, when I investigated further, I was very surprised to learn that there are not many affordable options for accessible housing in Cleveland Heights, or indeed in most other communities in the Cleveland area. A few weeks later I went to a seminar put on by Services For Independent Living, Inc. They, too, bemoaned the lack of affordable options and predicted that the need for accessible housing will only be increasing over the next decade. Clearly this is an issue that needs to be addressed.

When I got home after the seminar, I began to panic. I told Dave about the focus group, and then the seminar, and tried to convince him that we need to start thinking about aging in place, right now! What will happen if I get into a freak accident and break both of my legs, so I can’t get into my house, let alone up the stairs….

I know I have a tendency to over-react (maybe due to the fact that I will be turning 30 in April), but I would have real problems if I were no longer able to handle stairs or need to rely on a wheel chair to get around. My home is a typical inner-ring suburb structure, with stairs up to both front and rear doors.  There’s a half bath on the first floor (with an extremely small doorway and no room for a wheel chair), a tall and narrow staircase up to the second floor where the full bath and bedrooms are located, and then more steps to the finished third floor.

“SO,” I continued freaking out to Dave, “WHAT would I possibly do in this situation?” He stared at me and calmly said, “We would find a way. We’d turn the dining room into your new bedroom. It’s freshly painted, you’d have a great view, you’d enjoy it.” SERIOUSLY…that’s the best answer?

In all honesty, we – all of us – need to get to a mid-point mind set on this. We don’t all have to be fanatical, but neither should we ignore the issue. We should keep it in the back of our heads as we age and make renovations around the house.

It doesn’t hurt to get informed, either. Many people believe the common myth that if you make something accessible, it has to look sterile and hospital-like. However, the information I have found proves that Universal Design can be visually pleasing, as well as practical. It most cases, it will make your home more valuable and will increase the sales price. AARP has a book called Beautiful Living for the Second Half of Life which, in their words, focuses on “refurbishing and renovating – inside and out – to promote personal freedom and healthy longevity. Universal design features such as wide, no-threshold doorways, a first floor bedroom, a walk-in shower, ample lighting, comfortable furniture, and level outdoor walkways provide access for all people, regardless of their abilities.” AARP also has a Home Fit Guide that helps to determine if your home will be a healthy and safe environment where you can age in place. You can search for Home Fit Guide on their website or call (877) 926-8300 and request a copy.

The Cleveland Heights Senior Center will be hosting a forum called “Senior Housing Matters” on May 30 from 1-3 pm. This will be a good opportunity to learn about the future of elder-friendly housing in Cleveland Heights and surrounding areas.

I will be there. Why don’t you plan to join me? I have heard the seniors loud and clear and hope that others are listening, too. Let’s be part of the “squeaky wheel group” and push for change.