WHAT TO DO WITH THE $$$
- Thread starter Golddollar
- Start date
Yo, Golddollar...I could use a spot to park a doublewide on. Forget the auction...I'll give you $25/acre!
There are a lot of things I would do before a stair lift.
If you haven't done the following, do them first.
Hand rails on both sides of all stair steps, walk-in shower with several grab bars, elevated toilet with grab bar, no loose throw rugs. Life Alert?
Back to the stair lift, unless your stairway is wider than most one can barely get past the chair to use the stairs normally. This is speaking from experience. Maybe they have improved since my experience 11 years ago.
If you haven't done the following, do them first.
Hand rails on both sides of all stair steps, walk-in shower with several grab bars, elevated toilet with grab bar, no loose throw rugs. Life Alert?
Back to the stair lift, unless your stairway is wider than most one can barely get past the chair to use the stairs normally. This is speaking from experience. Maybe they have improved since my experience 11 years ago.
I added stair rails on the opposite side of my stairs for my father's sake ~25 years ago. The idea was that there would be a continuous rail on both sides of the steps so he could use either or both hands to help him navigate them. I also added grab bars in the shower/tubs.
Think about it; one trip, slip, stumble, loss of balance and the resulting fall could wreck the rest of your life or shorten it. Falls are a leading primary and secondary cause of death among the elderly.
Since my father's passing, those two things have been comforting, useful, and when I came home from heart surgery, absolutely necessary.
I'm going to need them again when I have a knee replacement.
I think the stair chair can wait, unless you get a super deal on a used one, but spend less than a thousand bucks and get good railing(s) and shower bars ASAP if you don't have them.
Think about it; one trip, slip, stumble, loss of balance and the resulting fall could wreck the rest of your life or shorten it. Falls are a leading primary and secondary cause of death among the elderly.
Since my father's passing, those two things have been comforting, useful, and when I came home from heart surgery, absolutely necessary.
I'm going to need them again when I have a knee replacement.
I think the stair chair can wait, unless you get a super deal on a used one, but spend less than a thousand bucks and get good railing(s) and shower bars ASAP if you don't have them.
I've always wanted a 1947 or '48 Buick Roadmaster 2 door sedan.
I'll pay for the delivery!
I'll pay for the delivery!
cmj8591
Member
The other thing with the stair lift is that you should check with your local elders service. There are a lot of programs for stuff like that to keep you in your home. It's amazing what they will pay for sometimes once you start looking. Some people don't like to go asking for things but remember that you are the one who paid for it so, why not take advantage if it's available?
cmj8591
Member
One more thing that comes to mind as I read these posts, there are a lot of people here who are in the Autumn of life and an entire industry exists with it's only purpose to separate you from any wealth you might have accumulated. There is a lot of discussion on this board about leaving guns behind and who gets what once they are pried from your cold, dead hands. But I don't see a lot of talk about what is going to happen with that home you worked so hard to get or that nest egg that you have been tending for most of your work life. My point is, find a good estate planner and drop a couple of bucks to have them set up trusts and whatever else you need to keep the nursing home from getting it at the end. Don't wait. A lot of what they will do has to be in place for certain time periods before it kicks in. No one likes to think about it but when it gets to that point, you might not be the one who gets to decide these things. Trusts and shelters are not just for the wealthy.
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My mother and sister qualified for many of the low income/senior programs that the city had along with many elder care services.
The city put in double pane windows, minor roof repair, and installed solar panels, all for free. They qualified for senior utility rates and even subsidized the monthly lease for the solar panels.
I complain about government spending but must admit to being somewhat of a hypocrite when I see what they did for my family.
Oldengineer
Member
Use the money to make yourself happy. It’s an inside job. Lots of latitude to work with.
If you buyu a car
If you buy a car - remember that the first thing our parents generation would have done.
Get Seat Covers
Bekeart
If you buy a car - remember that the first thing our parents generation would have done.
Get Seat Covers
Bekeart
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THE PILGRIM
Member
The Charlie Schwab and other Brokerage Money Market accounts are excellent places to park money.
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
I'm working on a VERY speculative investment right now. Could loose everything but if it hits, which can be obtainable, you will be rich beyond your wildest dreams
Spurdann
Member
Money spent on keeping your home open to you as you age is money well spent. Another option might be a one man elevator from the basement to the second floor, of course the stars must align for a clear path for an elevator, if not do the stair chair.
Absolutely do the outside railing, you won’t complain about not falling on the way in or out.
Absolutely do the outside railing, you won’t complain about not falling on the way in or out.
This past year we have added railings on the porch steps, walk in shower in one bathroom and taller commodes in both bathrooms with some pull bars and hand rails. We don't need them now but they are making like easier and we already have them when we do need them. We think that things to make life easier is money well spent. Larry
nicky4968
Member
I remember when for 3 or $4000 you could buy the legislature. Unfortunately, with inflation, you might be able to bribe the janitor for a week or two to let you peek in the door at night.
OP
Thank you everybody for all the serious suggestions, and for all the funny suggestions. There was a lot of support for following my late uncle's suggestion to put a railing at the front porch, and from all this I decided that I should also put a railing at the steps coming in from the garage into the house. A number of the suggestions had already been acted on when I had the house built, thanks to the inspiration from my late mother who suffered from rheumatoid arthritis and later ALS. I have a referral for a fabricator, so when the auction is finished I'll be able to start getting the project started. As was pointed out here, we are all one fall or accident away from needing access assistance.
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Muppets - Peter Sellers - Cigarettes, and Whiskey, and Wild, Wild Women - YouTubeWhy just two?
Skip the whisky.
