Healthy Aging in Place through a Preventative Lens
In this conversation, Margaret Wallis-Duffy sits down with Karen Brown founder of Renos Studios to discuss the importance of healthy aging and the impact of an aging population on the quality of life in Canada.
Karen's almost 25 years of listening to older adults and their families talk about what matters and how they want life to be lived has led Karen on an interesting journey to becoming an Accessibility Strategist. Understanding that the challenges surrounding the spaces we live in are not limited to older adults but affect people of all ages led Karen to want to understand how to find and implement solutions. With a BSc in Anthropology (a broad approach to understanding the human experience) Karen also holds an Executive Certificate in Home Modification from the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology at the University of Southern California and is a graduate of the CLIPP program at the Living in Place Institute.
Margaret and Karen highlight the statistics on disabilities and the most common disabilities reported, such as pain, flexibility, and mobility issues. The conversation emphasizes the need for open and honest conversations about aging and the importance of planning ahead.
They also discuss the role of families in supporting aging parents and the fear of aging.
The conversation concludes with practical tips for making changes in the home, preventing falls, and taking control of one's health and aging gracefully.
We hope you take the time to have a listen and be sure to share it with others who may find this education helpful.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Importance of Healthy Aging
02:30 Statistics on Disabilities and Common Disabilities
04:15 The Importance of Planning Ahead
06:23 The Fear of Aging and the Role of Adult Children
09:17 The Importance of Open and Honest Conversations
11:20 The Role of Families in Aging
14:28 The Consequences of Not Making Decisions
18:02 Making Changes in the Home
19:30 Small Changes for Aging in Place
20:17 Simple Home Modifications
23:38 The Importance of Hydration and Exercise
27:13 Preventing Falls and Proper Footwear
31:23 Taking Control of Your Health and Aging Gracefully
