Building Forever Homes: Millennials to Boomers

Family homes should be built to last for multiple generations and a multitude of needs. Boomers are quickly becoming the largest portion of our population, and the 55+ generation are fast increasing, in need of homes that fit their needs as they age. But it's not just boomers looking for smart homes that grow with them; according to this Builder article, millennials don't want houses with a big footprint -- they want a home with features that suit now and later, including plenty of storage with less square footage. Homes that incorporate Universal Design, the same principles that apply to Aging in Place design, allow both millennials and boomers to buy and live in a functional home that grows with them and their changing families. 

This video is titled "Dual-ing Demos: How Design Can Transcend Age and Income Stereotypes." It's a synopsis of how smart design can incorporate function, beauty, and transcend generations. 

Universal Design and CAPS Design incorporate the same principles -- and are intended to allow multiple generations to live happily and comfortably in the same home. The perhaps unintended effects of this kind of purposeful building is creating sustainable, community-conscious living spaces. 

The RAISE Family Caregivers Act: A Perspective

On September 27, 2017, the RAISE Family Caregivers Act was passed by Congress. What does this mean for you and yours, though? Heck, what does it mean for us as the caregivers of our own aging parents?

I took the time to read the Act online (here) and my interpretation was immediately "Okay...so this Act essentially means we will start considering how best to approach the idea of thinking about how to assist Family Caregivers...?" So it's a start. Our government is interested in putting the issue of Family Caregiving on the discussion table.

Three things to keep in mind as you read further on my perspective of the RAISE Family Caregivers Act: First, it's not yet a law; President Trump still has to sign it. Second, this is a decidedly bipartisan Act which is great (and rare!), and it passed unanimously, so clearly the ideas set forth in the Act are at least on the brains of our congressfolk. Finally, this is just my perspective, and I am certainly not an expert on how this act will or will not be helpful to us in the Family Caregiving world. 

I went in search of other interpretations of what this RAISE Act seeks to accomplish, and here (directly quoted) is a great summary from nextavenue.org, written by Richard Eisenberg:

• "Promoting greater adoption of person-centered care and family-centered care in health settings and long-term care settings
• Training for family caregivers
• Respite options for family caregivers
• Ways to increase financial security for family caregivers
• Workplace policies to help family caregivers keep working
• Collecting and sharing of information about innovative family caregiving models
• Assessing federal programs around family caregiving
• Addressing disparities and meeting the needs of the diverse caregiving population

'The RAISE Act is a common-sense step to help support family caregivers nationwide and we urge President Donald Trump to sign the bill into law as soon as possible,' said Bob Blancato, chair of the American Society on Aging board of directors and Bill Benson, chair of the group’s public policy committee." 

I'm glad -- really glad -- that Congress is considering how best to support family caregivers. I hope very much that the unanimous support of the RAISE Act means that all of the involved government parties have a solid plan and strategy waiting in the wings. I'm glad they're thinking about it and passed an Act that says they're thinking about it; hopeful this means strategic action isn't far behind. I welcome your thoughts.