AGING IN PLACE: Special Needs of Co-Owners

What is the Issue?

The population in the United States and Michigan is aging. Everyone is aware of the fact that the “baby boomers” are affluent and probably make up the majority of co-owners in your buildings. The condominium is also an attractive place for people because of maintenance and security issues.  As a result, we are seeing more single women in the condo community. Now, more than ever, there is a greater need for senior services because people are aging in place. The condo is one of the living arrangements before people move into assisted living facilities.

WILL You have a Proactive or reactive response to this issue?

Are you going to deal with the fact that people are aging in place proactively? Or, are you going to ignore the issue and wait for problems to arise one at a time? There are several ways to deal with co-owners special needs. Here are a few:        

1. A committee from the condo community could be set up to be “Good Neighbors”, check on seniors and those who are disabled and ask if groceries are needed when someone is going to the store anyway.
2. The Board of Directors could take the initiative and design policies to deal with aging owners. They could identify construction companies that specialize in adaptation, anticipating the needs of an aging population. The association could use the concept of economies of scale to get better price breaks and consider such things as curb cuts, a ramp to the clubhouse, a pool lift, a therapeutic whirlpool, or railings near the stairs.
3. The management company could be the resource for the association on aging issues and services available for the disabled. It could be the liaison with other organizations in the community that provide senior services.

WHY SHOULD AGING IN PLACE BE ADDRESSED?

The legal counsel for the association must be consulted to address the legal responsibilities of the community. However, there are more factors to consider than just the legal ones.

1. The co-owners, the Board, and the management company have a  social/ moral responsibility to “DO THE RIGHT THING”.
2. No matter what role you might be in, the effort to help others will be construed favorably in the eyes of the community.
3. The theme for CAI-Michigan’s 2^nd Annual Conference is “Lead to Succeed”. By proactively dealing with the issues of aging in place, you will be implementing this new governance model, in accordance with the tenants of CAI-Michigan.
4. One of the “buzz” words in business today is “value-added”. By actively demonstrating a caring for those who are in need, an individual, a board member, or a management company can distinguish itself by becoming more attractive to friends and family, potential co-owners or new customers.
5. It is in your own best interest to be proactive in dealing with people’s special needs. By educating yourself on the issues of aging you will be better prepared to react when your parents or other family members need similar physical or medical services.
6. Addressing special needs will give people something to complement you on, rather than complain about. Wouldn’t that be novel?!

WHAT KINDS OF THINGS CAN YOU DO FOR SENIORS?

Here are a few ideas that could be implemented in your community:

• Create a resource list of senior services available in your area.
• Identify home health agencies that conduct home visits for seniors with Medicare insurance and provide nurses, physical therapists, social workers, and dieticians.
• Identify legitimate and qualified physicians that make house calls.
• Identify local pharmacies that deliver medicines.
• Offer Flu Shots and Pneumonia Vaccines. Contact a home health agency that will send nurses on-site to give shots. This could be done in a community activity room or the nurses could visit each unit.
• Personal Safety issues can be addressed. Investigate and communicate to co-owners some of the personal safety programs available. A local hospital sponsors a program called Life Scan. In this program the person in need wears a necklace or bracelet. When the button on the jewelry is pressed, there is a voice connection via telephone to a monitoring station that will respond to the person twenty-four hours a day. Another program is called The File of Life. It is a summary of medical information available to others in an emergency. It is connected to the 911 Emergency Medical System through registration and is kept in a magnetized red pouch on the refrigerator.

• Health Fair-A home health agency can help set up a health fair that could provide blood pressure screening, information and health education to people in your community.
• Physical Adaptation-Identify construction companies ahead of time that have experience in adapting interiors and exteriors for kitchens, bathrooms, and ramps.
• Transportation. Identify resources in your area to transport people to get groceries or to get their medicines at the pharmacy.
• Organize speakers to come every quarter to discuss topics such as long-term care insurance, where to obtain wheelchairs and shower chairs, or interactions between prescription medicine and over the counter items

OTHER SPECIAL NEEDS:

·        Medical and physical-Lots of information is available about medical and physical services in the area. Start by looking in the yellow pages.

·        Behavioral-Again look in the yellow pages under mental health, counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists (physicians) for resources available to you. Behavioral issues can often be legal issues as well, so be sure to consult your attorney

·        Financial-Certified public accountants and investment advisors are available who can assist in financial counseling for the owners.

·        Social-Everyone is different, and there are those people who need human contact. Social activities are available at the local adult education centers, churches; there are cultural events listed in the newspaper and AAA always has group travel ideas.

·        Spiritual-Again, everyone is different, and there are those people who need spiritual guidance. Be sure to have a list of the local churches and synagogue available for your owners.

SUMMARY

It is wise to address the special needs of co-owners in advance. Before something occurs there is more time to consider options and do the right thing, rather than be under pressure to deal with the situation as it happens. There are inexpensive things that can be done to establish a “Good Neighbor” policy and demonstrate that you are a caring, considerate, and thoughtful human being, Board of Directors, and management company.

WEB Sites For Reference

www.careguide.com

www.hithope.com/findit

www.gdahc.org   Greater Detroit Area Health Council, Inc.

www.mdch.state.mi.us   Michigan Department of Community Health

www.seniorservices1.org

www.aarp.org

www.abanet.org/elderly   American Bar Association Commission on Legal Problems of the Elderly

www.vna.org   Visiting Nurse Association

www.aahcp.org   American Academy of Home Care Physicians

www.PersonalPath.com   Blue Cross/Blue Shield/Blue Care Network of Michigan

www.Elderweb.com

www.Caregiverzone.com

www.Aoa.dhhs.gov/elderpage.html    Department of Health and Human Services

www.Caregiver.org

www.Aahsa.org/public/consumer.htm    American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging

www.Hcfa.gov/medicare/medicare.htm

www.Nfcacares.org    National Family Caregivers Association

www.Alz.org    Alzheimer’s Group

www.Senioralternatives.com   Assisted living facilities in your area

www.senioroptions.com    Nation-wide service guide for older adults and caregivers.