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By candace kramer, February 10, 2011 1:31 pm

Last week I had coffee with Rhonda Knoche, a fabulous designer for Neil Kelly Remodelers.

The Neil Kelly Company just won 11 regional CotY (contractor of the Year) awards from the Nationals Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). Rhonda won an award for Whole House Remodel under $250k! Kudos to Rhonda and Neil Kelly! As many of you know, I was a designer for NK  for 10 years and still think they have some of the best talent out there!

Some of their beautiful work…

Gorgeous right?

Anyway, I wanted to pick Rhonda’s brain about Universal Design , Aging in Place and local information about these issues.

Like Jane Austen says ” There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort!”

Rhonda is a CAPS designer, Certified Aging in Place Specialist or as Rhonda puts it,

“Universal Design is subtle design and appeals to those that value sustainability.”

Music to my ears!

In her last seminar, she shared with the audience her recent accident, breaking her leg and how she dealt with the physical limitations and mobility issues in her own home.

The big three items she covered in the seminar were;

1. Enter and Exiting home

2. Stairs and Ramps

3. Kitchen & Bath modifications.

Be sure to click here for all their up coming seminars.

Patrick Roden RN,PhD, has a website and blog, aginginplace.com – where he address all the issues of how to continue to live in your home throughout your maturing years, safely, independently and comfortably. He grew up living with his grandma in a multi-generational home and his impressions are truly inspiring.

Thank you Rhonda for some great ideas on living & aging gracefully in the comfort of our homes! Glad to see that your leg looks better too!

p.s. Right now in 2011 we have 70,000 centurions in 2040 there will 700,000 in the U.S.

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By candace kramer, February 8, 2011 4:06 pm

It is raining, as usual, so it’s the perfect time for me to clean and organize my home -  it being on the market and having weekly showings doesn’t hurt to keep me motivated either! Plus, my recent coffee chat at Chuck’s Coffee with Jan Harju from Good Daughters was truly inspiring!

Good Daughters is a group of moving experts specializing in transitioning seniors into their new homes. Their slogan is: “It’s your move – We Make it Happen!” Reassuring to say the least! 

Moving and downsizing, as we all know, can be overwhelming and downright stressful. Fear not! Downsizing is something Good Daughters does best! Not only does Jan and her team help you decide what to do your four fondue sets, three popcorn poppers and endless paper stacks – she knows how to transport household goods overseas or just down the street into your new home.

Jan and her husband, Arnie are Oregonians that have had long careers in logistics, transportation, and human resources.  They now blend these skills and assist families, large and small, to tackle the arduous tasks involved with downsizing. Jan is reassuring and non judgmental – the perfect neutral party to step into the family dynamics.  By developing a personalized moving plan and time-line, Jan makes your move HAPPEN!

Some of her favorite resources and supporters:

• Scott Director at Director furniture – they have a line furniture that specializes in scaled down furniture.
• First Choice Movers are reliable, patient and professional.
• A Season in Time is operated by Nancy Farrer who specializes in estate sales.

The best secret I discovered is that Jan takes whatever does not sell to charitable organizations – her favorite is Willamette Valley Humane Society, there are two stores in Salem and 100% of the proceeds go to an animal shelter.

Jan, you really do know how to take care of it all in a compassionate and efficient way!

Give Jan a call at 503-522-6637 or email info@gooddaughters3.com

She inspired me to go back and start recycling and donating the items I really do not need! Very good rainy day projects.