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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Police reports Only voters can make a tree tops in town Court overturns drug conviction Calendar: Wednesday, Sept. 10 Getting away from — and back into — it all Education Signups underway for classes for older adults They're back (and they've brought friends) Free TED talk simulcast in Ashland Schneider Children's Center branches out Getting a 'Fresh Start' Environment Only voters can make a tree tops in town Getting away from — and back into — it all Definition of 'water year' is fluid Excitement electric at first alternative fuel vehicle show OR-7's pups true wolves Business Ashlander creates new product intended to solve old problem App that promotes walking tested here Electric innovators incubate creativity Loving the leather at Village Shoes Family Massage center leaving busy corner for homier site Politics and elections Mark L. Hopkins: What the next election should be about Airport, historic commissioners named; vacancies remain on other panels Two races set for council positions Library district won't take maximum tax rate Commissioner Skundrick plans final four town hall meetings State News Nation - World Obituaries Jerilyn J. Schoenhals Death Notices Death Notices Death Notices Dr. Stephen Edward Drabik Sports Latest Stories SOU volleyball team ranked No. 16 Grizz volleyball team pulls out five-set thriller Raiders to return to Phillips Field San Marcos beats SOU in OT Williams headed to the Big Apple High school Grizz volleyball team pulls out five-set thriller Williams headed to the Big Apple Raiders fight off Northwest Christian Boosters Club needs parents to volunteer Grizzlies off on the right foot Southern Oregon University SOU volleyball team ranked No. 16 Raiders to return to Phillips Field San Marcos beats SOU in OT Atanda honored Mason nabs national award Opinion Latest Stories Granlund cartoon: New Apple products Lerner offers another world view Kent Bush: Law enforcement’s routine acts of bravery taken for granted Letters to the Editor, Sept. 9 Electric vehicles rev up Editorial Electric vehicles rev up Meeting in the middle One small carbon footprint ... Not out of the woods yet Our View: Taking small steps to confront climate change Letters Letters to the Editor, Sept. 9 Letters to the Editor, Sept. 8 Letters to the Editor, Sept. 4 Letters to the Editor, Sept. 3 Letters to the Editor, Aug. 30 Guest opinions Two seemingly disparate moments in history Rauch replies: Frustrating, yes — yet there is method in't The summer of my discontent: An open letter to Bill Rauch Opportunities for civic involvement are plentiful in Ashland Hamas supporters spread anti-Semitism around the world Revels Latest Stories Community blog: Slammin' for Salmon Community blog: Sheila Bender and Jonah Bornstein 'Freud's Last Session" at Ashland Contemporary Theatre CultureFest at Oregon Shakespeare Festival Community blog: Poet Willa Schneberg at Bloomsbury Books Theater Freud v. Lewis: Intellectual heavyweights spar over life's big issues 'Freud's Last Session" at Ashland Contemporary Theatre Wise cracks and hot licks make for super show OSF adds 'Wrinkle in Time' Family Night Music Q&A: Acousta Noir The Jeff Stanley Trio at Lounge South Visual Art Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Movie listings: Sept. 5-11 Movie listings: Aug. 27-Sept. 4 'Calvary' is about darkness and dialogue Varsity Theatre, Ashland Street Cinemas movie listings: Aug. 22-26 'What If' hits the sweet spot Food and Drink World of Wine celebrates local varietals Lifestyle Latest Stories Community Blog: Predicting Peace - 1 of 7 Peace House honors Rabbi Michael Lerner Staying in your home requires planning Mt. Ashland Hill Climb 'Spooky action': Peacemaking through synchronicity Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs NEWS NOW 10 things to know for Wednesday ... Calendar: Wednesday, Sept. 10 ... 10 things to know for Tuesday ... 10 things to know for Wednesday ... Calendar: Wednesday, Sept. 10 ... 10 things to know for Tuesday ... AGING HAPPENS Staying in your home requires planning By Ellen D. Waldman for the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Ellen D. Waldman for the Tidings Posted Sep. 8, 2014 @ 12:01 am By Ellen D. Waldman for the Tidings Posted Sep. 8, 2014 @ 12:01 am » Social News Doris and Tom had come to Ashland for years to see the plays. He had a background in theater, and although they lived in Pennsylvania, this became their regular vacation spot. Eventually, they bought a lovely piece of property near Lithia Park and built the perfect home for their retirement. Finally, in 1980, it was time to enjoy their dream home in Ashland. Even in Ashland, though, people keep aging. At some point, Tom got cancer and Doris was diagnosed with dementia. They did not plan for this, and in their 80s, they had no idea what to do next. Fortunately, they were members of a great church here in town that has a wonderful group of congregants. The church volunteers pitched in as much as they could, but they needed more help. This help eventually included paid caregivers, home remodelers, Ashland Hospice, and a geriatric care manager. Tom was able to remain at home through his demise. After he passed, Doris moved into Mountain View Assisted Living in Ashland, where she lived happily for several more years. From this scenario, we begin the exploration into how you can live in your home, or not, as aging continues. This is the key word, because it does keep changing. In every study, people consistently report that they want to remain in their homes. There are two questions to answer: Will this home work, and how can I get the care I might need? The other big factor in all this: What does this cost? This may well determine what is possible for you. One woman in town needed an elevator to be installed if she were to remain at home, at a cost of $50,000. Not everyone can do that. Here’s a short list of local services and the fees they charge that might help you remain in your current home. There is a longer list of providers in the phone book or the free Senior Resources Directory (541-488-1743). Contact a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS). They will assess your home and recommend any changes to make it more suitable. Darrell Boldt, an Ashland contractor, (daboldtconstruction.com; 541-482-4865) is certified to provide this service. Sharon and Howard Johnson have a non-profit organization with CAPS credentials and will respond to inquiries about home assessment options. ([email protected]; 541-261-2037). You can also locate home safety assessments online. At AARP.org, you can locate “The AARP Home Fit Guide” and start this yourself. Ashland at Home (ashlandathome.org; 541-613-6185) is a membership organization where “neighbors help neighbors live in their own homes and stay engaged in our community as long as possible.” Their membership fee is around $500 per year. We’re lucky to have them here. For additional caregiving needs in the home, working with a licensed agency is a great way to bring in some support. Generally, expect to pay $20 per hour for this service. In Ashland, there is Nurse Next Door, 541-708-0880. A couple of other excellent agencies are Interim Healthcare, 541-779-0054, and Home Instead Senior Care, 541-734-2700. They can consult with you about your needs, and their services. At HomeCareChioces.org, you can locate private individuals who provide caregiving services. Please be aware of taxes, insurance, liability, overseeing, etc., if you do this on your own. The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (caremanager.org) has information about its full range of services and a list of eight local providers. As professionals, their fees generally range from $80 to $100 per hour.  If your income is in the lower ranges, find out if you are eligible for any assistance from the state or federal government. There are two ways to do this. Call Medford Senior and Disability Services (RVCOG.org; 541-776-6222). An intake worker will help you determine eligibility. You can also contact Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon at ADRCofOregon.org or 1-855-673-2372. They offer a wonderful array of help in this area. Where you live is a big topic. Next time, we’ll begin looking at options when living in your current home may not be the best choice any longer, and the familiar question, “How do you know when it’s time to move?”  "Aging Happens" appears weekly in the Daily Tidings. Ellen Waldman is a certified geriatric care manager. Email questions about aging and Ashland-area aging resources and column suggestions to her attention via [email protected].                           By Ellen D. Waldman for the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Ellen D. 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