AARP Guide to Revitalizing Your Home: Beautiful Living for the Second Half of Life [Paperback]

Rosemary Bakker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 7, 2010 | Series: AARP

Branded with the authority and expertise of AARP, this essential guide will help families reimagine, redecorate, and remodel their home for the second half of life. Designed to empower 50+ adults, AARP's Guide to Revitalizing Your Home shows how to “age in place” by refurbishing your existing house using universal design elements-such as walk-in showers, level outdoor walkways, ample lighting, and kitchen appliances that eliminate the need to bend. These design suggestions can make your home safer and easier for everyone-no matter their age-without sacrificing beauty and style.
Older adults and their families will find hundreds of inspiring photos, checklists to take personal inventory of their needs and the “universal potential” of their home, tips for working with contractors, simple DIY fixes, and much more.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Rosemary Bakker holds a Master of Science in gerontology and is a certified interior designer. She is a research associate in gerontologic design in medicine at the Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City. Rosemary has consulted with numerous individuals and companies and has made presentations
on design and healthy aging to diverse audiences, ranging from interior designers and housing experts to consumers, health care professionals, and Fortune 500 corporations. Rosemary was a guest on Martha Stewart Living Radio, has appeared on CBS, NBC, and PBS, and was featured in the Public
Lives column of The New York Times and in AARP The Magazine. She currently lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Lark Crafts (September 7, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600592805
• ISBN-13: 978-1600592805
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #392,108 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Prudent Advice for All Age Groups November 15, 2010

By Eze

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this book hoping my 80+ year old mother would read it and take some of the advice. Sometimes parents respond faster if the advice comes from someone other than family, like professionals. There are safety hazard in her house, especially for her age group, but she is resisting making the changes.

I read this book and the advice is for all ages and especially important for homeowners planning to age in place. It even covers safe bed heights. I wish I had read it before buying my house 3 years ago. I am 62 and plan to stay put. There are several modifications to my house, I will have to make to insure that my house is fully accessible in the future. Now, i may ask my mom to return the book or buy another copy. It's a good reference book for anyone thinking of buying a house also. Even if your next house is not universally accessible, you can consider how you could change your new house if there is a medical emergency, for example, or some other reason to rehab the property.

26 of 31 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars AARP GUIDE TO REVITALIZING YOU HOME: October 11, 2010

By Arthur Hadley

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

We have been living with some of the problems of aging: an aging parent living with us, double hip replacement, declining energy,sight, and all of that. We made the move into a warmer winter location, with a single story home. So we were doing some of the right things. But the AARP Guide gives us more ideas how to make our living safer, more comfortable and easier. Small changes that will improve our living space now and in the future.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Growing old with style December 10, 2010

By Kootch

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is such a sensible yet stylish book. I was amazed at how green it is and contemporary too. Love it and will recommend it to my friends who want to adapt as they age or build a retirement home. Now is the time for us to look forward to the time that we may need help navigating. We purchased a ranch home this year that was built for a lady who was wheelchair bound so it already has many things the book talked about. But - the book tells us much more beyond the wide doorways, bars in bathrooms, walk-in showers already here. We are thrilled to have this book and all the great ideas and beautiful photos. Thanks!