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Home Designs For Life: Remodeling Ideas To Increase Safety, Function, And Accessibility In The Home.

Home Designs For Life: Remodeling Ideas To Increase Safety, Function, And Accessibility In The Home.
Author: Janet Engel, OT/L, CAPS, ECHM
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© 2025 Home Designs For Life: Remodeling Ideas To Increase Safety, Function, And Accessibility In The Home.
Description
My podcasts offers solutions to help older adults stay in their homes for as long as possible.
We explore creative home modification solutions and talk to experts in the building and healthcare industry to help older adults and their caregivers navigate how to create safer, more attractive, and comfortable spaces while simultaneously increasing their home value.
Let us educate you on creating a home that changes with you, so you can live your best life at any age!
113 Episodes
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Send us a text. We love to hear from our fans. Summary In this conversation, Janet Engel interviews Sura Al-Naimi, CEO of Hi Hello Sura, about the intersection of innovation, creativity, and technology, particularly in the context of aging populations. Sura shares her insights on team dynamics, the phases of innovation, and the importance of self-awareness in the creative process. She discusses her work with aging populations and how technology can bridge gaps in care and compani...
Send us a text. We love to hear from our fans. Summary In this episode, Janet Engel interviews Peter Weedfald, Senior VP Sales and Brand Marketing and Harry Hessen, Associate VP Product Development and Design from Sharp Home Appliances, discussing their innovative products designed with universal design principles and aging in place in mind. They delve into the history and evolution of the microwave drawer, the introduction of the superheated steam oven, and the features of the radiant...
Send us a text. We love to hear from our fans. In this conversation, Janet Engel speaks with geriatric care managers Amy McWilliams and Lauren Magana about the vital role of geriatric care management in supporting seniors and their families. They discuss the unique challenges faced by seniors, the importance of navigating complex healthcare systems, and the various resources available for aging in place. The conversation also touches on family dynamics, crisis management, and the financial as...
Send us a text. We love to hear from our fans. Summary In this conversation, Akshita Iyer, CEO and founder of Ome, discusses the inspiration behind the Smart Knob, a device designed to enhance kitchen safety by preventing unattended cooking, a leading cause of house fires. She shares her journey from neuroscience to entrepreneurship, driven by personal experiences with her family's safety. The Smart Knob integrates technology to monitor cooking activity, send alerts, and allow remote manageme...
Send us a text. We love to hear from our fans. Summary In this conversation, Chia-Lin Simmons, CEO of LogicMark, discusses the evolution and innovation of medical alert technology, particularly focusing on the Freedom Alert Max device. She highlights the importance of user-friendly design, advanced features like fall detection and GPS, and the integration of caregiver connection tools to enhance family coordination and support for seniors. The conversation also touches on the significance of...
Send us a text. We love to hear from our fans. Summary In this conversation, Janet Engel interviews Nicole Ramer, a certified senior move manager and founder of Organized Haven. They discuss the evolution of the senior move management industry, the emotional and logistical challenges faced by seniors during transitions, and the unique services offered by senior move managers. Nicole shares insights on the importance of space planning, the use of technology, and the value of hirin...
Send us a text. We love to hear from our fans. Summary In this conversation, Janet Engel interviews Cathy Minter, co-founder and CEO of Wisdom, a smart device designed to support aging in place. Cathy shares the inspiration behind Wisdom, which arose from personal experiences with aging parents and the challenges they faced. The discussion delves into the technology behind Wisdom, emphasizing its non-wearable fall detection capabilities and the importance of proactive safety meas...
Send us a text. We love to hear from our fans. Summary In this conversation, Janet Engel interviews Deval Patel, CEO and founder of the Lotus Ring, a wearable device that allows users to control various devices by pointing. The discussion covers the product's launch success, recognition at CES, and its unique benefits for older adults and people with disabilities. Deval shares insights from user experiences, including unexpected use cases and challenges with existing voice assist...
Send us a text. We love to hear from our fans. Summary In this conversation, Janet Engel and Jeff Weiss, President & CEO of Age of Majority, discuss the evolving expectations of Baby Boomers regarding senior living communities, emphasizing the importance of food quality, autonomy, and the role of technology. They explore the challenges these communities face in meeting the diverse needs of older adults while addressing misconceptions about aging and technology use. In this conversati...
Send us a text. We love to hear from our fans. Summary In this conversation, Janet Engel interviews Tom Nardone, founder of Dignity Lifts, about his innovative products designed to assist individuals with mobility challenges in using the toilet independently. They discuss the importance of toilet accessibility, the installation and functionality of Dignity Lifts, and Tom's journey into the Longevity Economy, highlighting the lack of innovation in products for older adults and women. In t...
Send us a text. We love to hear from our fans. Summary In this conversation, Janet Engel interviews Sally Duplantier, a gerontologist and founder of Zing, a mission-driven company aimed at helping older adults live their best lives. Sally shares her journey of entrepreneurship, the evolution of Zing during the pandemic, and the importance of public health education and health equity. They discuss the significance of healthy aging, the impact of Wellness Wednesdays, and the feedback from ...
Send us a text. We love to hear from our fans. Summary In this conversation, Janet Engel interviews Cathi Coridan, a senior real estate specialist, who shares her insights on helping seniors navigate the complexities of life transitions, particularly in real estate. Cathi discusses her background in human services and how it informs her approach to real estate, emphasizing the importance of empathy and understanding in assisting seniors. The conversation covers various aspects of plannin...
Send us a text. We love to hear from our fans. Summary In this conversation, Janet Engel interviews Scott and Sarah Pruitt, co-founders of the UD Project, focusing on the importance of universal design in creating accessible homes. They discuss their mission to increase the demand for universally accessible housing, the role of education in bridging knowledge gaps between builders and consumers, and the impact of home design on quality of life. The conversation also highlights the collab...
Send us a text. We love to hear from our fans. Summary In this conversation, Janet Engel interviews Eve Hill, an aging in place specialist realtor, and founder of Customized Aging about the impact of ageism on older adults and the importance of home modifications for aging in place. Eve shares her personal journey that led her to focus on ageism awareness and discusses the four types of ageism: internalized, interpersonal, institutional, and ideological. They explore how media representa...
Send us a text. We love to hear from our fans. Summary In this conversation, Janet Engel interviews Jamal Stevenson, the key sales officer at We Hear You, a company that started as a sign language translation service and has evolved into creating innovative accessibility solutions. The focus is on their latest product, the Hero Door Opener, which aims to make any door automatic and accessible for individuals with mobility issues, aging populations, and those with full hands. Jamal discus...
Send us a text. We love to hear from our fans. Summary In this conversation, Janet Engel and Maria Lindberg, OTR/L, discuss the importance of home modifications, particularly in the bathroom, for older adults. They explore the challenges faced by seniors in maintaining independence and safety at home, the innovative solutions provided by Toilet Talk, and the role of Jukebox Health in facilitating home modifications. The discussion also touches on emerging technologies, advocacy for legis...
Send us a text. We love to hear from our fans. Summary In this conversation, Janet Engel interviews Mark Conacher, Managing Director of SENSTEC USA, about his extensive career in the kitchen and bath industry and the innovative anti-slip technology of shower trays. Mark shares insights into the unique features of the SENSTEC'S showerpan, including its patented design, materials used, and the importance of safety in the bathroom, especially for aging populations. The discussion also...
Send us a text. We love to hear from our fans. Summary In this conversation, Daniel Fuchs shares his insights on multi-generational living, drawing from his personal experiences as a caregiver for his father with Alzheimer's. He discusses the increasing trend of families living together, especially post-COVID, and the emotional and financial benefits that come with it. Daniel emphasizes the importance of designing homes for multi-generational living, including the need for separation and...
Send us a text. We love to hear from our fans. In this conversation, Janet Engel interviews Nancy Griffin, CEO and founder of Glowing Older, about her journey in the podcasting world and the evolving perspectives on aging. They discuss the rampant ageism in society, the importance of planning for aging, and the innovations in senior living and technology that are shaping the future of aging well. Nancy shares insights from her 190 episodes, emphasizing the need for a values-based approach...
Send us a text. We love to hear from our fans. Summary In this conversation, Janet Engel interviews Michael Pankow, a retail mortgage executive and CEO of Veterans Mortgage of America with over 20 years of experience, focusing on the benefits and misconceptions surrounding reverse mortgages. Michael shares his personal journey in the mortgage industry, the importance of planning for aging in place, and how reverse mortgages can provide financial independence for seniors. He discusses the...