Recently in Green Housing for Seniors Category

Your immune system is a tremendously sustainable system! But we can exercise it with a dose of... laughter.

John Cleese takes us on a tour of a laughter therapy practice in India.

Laughter promotes stress reduction, community bonding, stronger immune system... and joy. What a simple solution!

CAREGIVING IN AMERICA is a monthly magazine published by Minnesota publisher Kay Sauck, premiered in December 2009 to address the needs and concerns of the 50 million caregivers of family and friends. 

The magazine and website, www.CaregivingInAmerica.com, will draw on a stable of experts in health and aging and two organizations devoted to caregiver support: the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving and the Aging with Dignity organization.

I grew up in a live/work home.  I've always had a productive home...because I'm self employed and have always either had a full time or part time business going.  And so has my husband.

"Over half of all businesses are run out of an owner's home. As the economic crisis deepens, live/work housing provides a viable and appealing solution for small entrepreneurs who want to work and live in the same place for economic reasons. It is also a promising market for Baby Boomers who are starting to retire - or soon will retire - and want to live in upscale housing in an urban area while conducting consulting and other service oriented businesses which can function in a live/work condo."  says Dick Lewis, President, Lewis & Associates

A Productive Home

Homes used to provide us with clothing, food, shelter, education, entertainment...and more.  But over the years we've exported most of those functions to businesses and public facilitie outside the home. 

And paid the price!  Both in "retail" prices...and in loss of a strong safety net.

Part of a green career is balancing what you build OUTSIDE the home in jobs and networks and investments -- and what you build INSIDE your home in hobbies and food preparation and car repair and gardening...etc. 

How's your personal career productivity going?  What would you like to balance between outside and inside?

Many seniors live frugally because they were taught good work and play and living habits as a child or developed them to manage their own homes and lives.  So you might realize how "green" you already are -- and how a few choices can also save you significant money!

For example, 

Biking or walking for short errands ... or even to your volunteer or paid jobs

Learn to take the city bus -- many cities have significant discounts for seniors and even if you pay full price...bus rides cost much less than a car and gasoline and maintenance!  My husband and I are having a ball exploring our city on the bus...and at $ .25 a ride!

Save water -- as water supplies becomes more volatile, they also become more expensive.  Consider converting water-guzzling lawns to hardscape or native plants, or mulched beds.
And you can remind  yourself daily of the value of water by changing to a glass of water for tooth brushing instead of wasting a gallon of running water every time!

 Manage your window drapes and shades to enjoy the beautiful rays of free sunshine during your active times...and close them for filtered light to keep your rooms cool when not in use,

Make or use home-made alternatives -- like baking soda for scrubbing and scouring.  Vinegar and basic soaps are easier on the environment...and will save you big bucks over fancy cleaners.

 Simple things like reusing paper -- both sides ,,, and using mugs and glasses instead of disposable cups are simple changes to make.  Just take the time to create an easy to use system ... and you'll have them handy every time!

Pay your bills on time...avoid late charges and interest charges.  Fees for banking services are growing rapidly and by using an automated payment, you can even avoid monthly interst charges on your credit card.  Just make sure you cover your minimum payment each month with an automated payment...and then add a second payment at your leisure to finish your payment.  This can save BIG BUCKS as well as preserve your credit rating!

Gift giving can be even more special when you use your own arts and crafts to make cookies, or paintings, or embroidered dishtowels or potholders!  Wrap them in a usable cover -- such as a dishtowel or wash cloth...and your gift truly is appreciated through and through!

Going green can be a game...with unending ideas and strategies that you can use your imagination to refine and your friendships to share ideas and resources.  And then, Mother Earth becomes a valued friend, as well.

According to the AARP, the lowest cost reverse mortgages are public loans.

The least expensive reverse mortgages are the ones offered by state or local governments. But these "public sector" loans generally can be used for only a specific purpose, like home repairs. Many are only available to persons with low to moderate incomes. But the low cost can make these loans very attractive.

Energy Efficiency and Weatherization

Remodeling projects or home maintenance projects of significant sizes, such as major plumbing upgrades, or energy efficient window replacement or a new roof, can warrant using equity in your home.   These major home renovations can improve the quality of life for a senior at the same time they reduce monthly energy bills and improve the value of the home. 

Deferred Payment Loans (DPLs)

Many local and some state government agencies offer "deferred payment loans" (DPLs) for repairing or improving your home. This type of reverse mortgage gives you a one-time, lump sum advance. No repayment is required for as long as you live in your home.

Property Tax Deferral (PTD)

Some state and local government agencies offer "property tax deferral" (PTD) loans. This type of public sector reverse mortgage generally provides annual loan advances that can be used only to pay your property taxes. No repayment is required for as long as you live in your home.

According to a 2007 AARP study, some type of PTD program is available in parts or all of the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia.

AARP does not endorse any reverse mortgage lender or product -- so do your homework and ask a trusted financal advisor for help in analyzing your situation and the reverse mortgages available to you.

Read more at AARP about Low-Cost Public Loans

Community Recycling in Cooperatives

In New York City, apartment building residents, superintendents, porters, and management company employees are being encouraged to participate in a new program to improve recycling in their apartment buildings. The program is called the NYC Apartment Building Recycling Initiative (ABRI). It provides training for the participants.

The city Department of Sanitation's Bureau of Waste Prevention Reuse and Recycling enrolls a building, and helps  assess how the building is recycling. After the participants complete their training session, they receive a building evaluation based on the site visit with suggestions on how to improve recycling in the building.

Over 200 buildings are registered in the program and 133 buildings that have sent residents, supers, and even some building managers to the evening training sessions. Increasingly, ABRI is becoming very popular with cooperative and condominium boards.

Trained volunteers  are implementing cooperative recycling programs

1) improvements on how the building is set up for recycling;

2) regular education geared to all residents; and

3) the organization of a committee or ad hoc group to keep the focus on recycling all year round.

If your cooperative or condominium would like to take advantage of this free training, visit www.CENYC.org.

RECYCLING ELECTRONICS

1) Upper West Side Recycling also accepts and recycles batteries and E-waste and runs periodic collections at fixed locations. For further information, contact Jeff Twine at 212 865-9595.

2) Per Scholas is New York City's only electronics processing facility. It has been reconditioning and recycling E-Waste since 1999. In addition to making low-cost computers available to children and adults who cannot afford a new computer, Per Scholas also trains local youth for full-time jobs as computer technicians. For more information call Per Scholas: (718) 772-0651.

CLOTHING AND TEXTILE RECYCLING

Upper West Side Recycling  focuses on collection and recycling of materials that are not picked up by the NYC Department of Sanitation.

They help buildings recycle clothing and other textiles. They help buildings organize and publicize an in-house textile drive, and will furnish a portable 4 x 21/2 foot clothing bin so that building residents don't have to haul these goods to a collection site, or worse, dump them in the trash.

Recyclable textiles include clean clothing (wearable or unwearable, shoes, pocketbooks, curtains, sheets, blankets, comforters, and towels. By participating you can help resident do their spring cleaning, keep textiles out of our landfills and recycle in an easy, convenient way.

http://www.cnyc.coop/