Smart Home, Smarter Seniors

What happens when you pair up Ted Gottlieb, Certified Senior Advisor® (CSA®) that’s a real estate broker with a real estate broker (me) that’s Smart Home Certified?  You end up with solutions for older adults that allow them to live more efficiently, for longer, in their current home by increasing safety, security, accessibility and independence. Before I get to the Smart Stuff, let me explain what a CSA® is and how rare it is for a REALTOR® to also be a CSA®. Ted is the first, and only as of this article, in Missouri to achieve this.

A Certified Senior Advisor® (CSA®) is a professional who has obtained a credential demonstrating expertise in the issues and concerns that affect seniors. These professionals are trained to provide guidance and support to seniors and their families in a variety of areas, including healthcare, financial and estate planning, and housing. This is rigorous training that allows the recipient to be well-versed in the complex issues that seniors face while avoiding conflicts of interest. 

So how do we use Smart Home technology to better serve seniors? Here are a few of the numerous benefits for seniors:

Safety and security: Smart home devices such as smart locks, cameras, and motion sensors can help seniors feel more secure in their homes by alerting them to potential security risks and allowing them to monitor their home remotely.

Comfort and convenience: Smart thermostats, lighting, and other devices can be programmed to adjust automatically to the user’s preferences, making it easier for seniors to stay comfortable and maintain their daily routines.

Accessibility: Smart Home technology can make it easier for seniors with mobility or vision impairments to control their home environment, such as using voice commands to turn on lights or adjust the thermostat.

Health monitoring: Smart home devices can track seniors’ vital signs, remind them to take medications, and even alert caregivers or emergency services in case of a medical emergency. There are even devices that will automatically dispense medications at a preset time of day.

Independence: By enabling seniors to control their home environment more easily, Smart Home technology can help them maintain their independence and stay in their own homes for longer.

Overall, Smart Home technology can be a valuable tool for seniors to enhance their safety, comfort, and quality of life. Trust and peace of mind matter so consider allowing the region’s first and only two brokers, with the specialized knowledge necessary, help your senior live smarter and more efficiently. If you’re not a senior, we can still help you prepare your current home for when you become a senior or get you into the right home now so you can live out your days more conveniently. The sooner you learn this technology the better. None of us are getting any younger…

About the author…
John Donati, REALTOR®

Smart Home Certified
Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®)
Military Relocation Professional (MRP)

JohnDonati.com

About Ted…
Ted Gottlieb, REALTOR®

Certified Senior Advisor®
Seniors Real Estate Specialist®
Certified Seniors Housing Professional™
Certified Seniors Downsizing Coach ™

What (Most) Seniors Don’t Want You to Know

Note: I’m generalizing ……..

Seniors don’t want to leave their homes.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been told “I want to be carried out feet first”. 

For most, the thought of selling the home is overwhelming – often paralyzing. Maybe it’s the memories, the years of accumulated “stuff”, lack of energy or the fear of what comes next. No matter the reason, just like you and me, older adults want to be where they feel safe. Enjoying their “independence” – when many times they are anything but. 

So, it’s status quo until a life event happens – like the loss of a spouse, a fall, illness, a diagnosis. Still, many times the goal is to stay home, maybe with help (family member or paid companion) or not. 

This took me a while to figure out. Frankly, when I decided to specialize in seniors real estate (2011), I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. I related well to older adults and wanted to differentiate myself from the thousands of other agents so this seemed like the right path. What I didn’t count on was overwhelming desire to stay put. 

So I figured, if they are not ready to sell, why not help them stay put longer and safer. I earned an aging in place designation and promoted myself as the real estate agent who helped people stay in their homes longer. Brilliant! It didn’t help pay the bills, but boy did I sleep well at night. What I did come to appreciate was the seniors I met, helped, enjoyed, protected. I got paid in coffee, corn bread and good karma ….. and every so often I got to sell a home. 

I learned some things along the way that you might find helpful: Older adults are chiefly concerned with maintaining control and their legacy (David Solie); Some family members are well intended while others are anything but; The equity in the home can be essential to someone’s care and legacy (so selling to that seemingly nice person who’s willing to pay cash and close fast rarely benefits the home owner or the neighbors); Not having an estate plan is more expensive than having one; Hiring a care manager is money well spent; Finding the right senior living community the first time matters, and so much more. 

To the general public, I offer my older adult consulting and referral services without cost or obligation – really! To the licensed real estate professional, I offer my insight and mentorship, for the asking. 

What I crave is that we honor our elders and treat them with the respect they so richly deserve.  As the good books says, “love thy neighbor as thyself”. 

About the author…
Ted Gottlieb, REALTOR®

Certified Senior Advisor®

Seniors Real Estate Specialist®

Certified Seniors Housing Professional™

Certified Seniors Downsizing Coach ™

314.956.9477

Ted@TrustInTed.com

STLTed.com

TrustInTed.com

Licensed In Missouri since 2003 | MORE™, REALTORS® | 314.690.9922

EHOC Files Fair Housing Complaints Against 14 Senior Housing Providers in St. Louis area

ehoc equal housing opportunity commission

As a result of its recent report on senior housing, EHOC announced on September 23, 2009, that it was filing 14 fair housing complaints against senior housing providers in the St. Loius area with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Complaints are being filed against the following senior communities in St. Louis County: Brentmoor Retirement Community; Mari De Villa; Pacific Place; The Fountains of West County; McKnight Place Assisted Living; National Healthcare Corporation (which has facilities in both St. Louis County and St. Charles County); The Rockwood; and Tesson Heights. Complaints were filed against the following St. Charles County communities: Twin Oaks Estate; Fairwinds at River’s Edge, National Healthcare Corporation (which has facilities in St. Louis County and St. Charles County), Park Place at Winghaven and Heritage of Hawk Ridge. EHOC also is filing complaints against several Illinois communities: The Fountains Communities (which includes The Bridges of Columbia and The Fountains of Granite City only) and Sycamore Village. Continue reading “EHOC Files Fair Housing Complaints Against 14 Senior Housing Providers in St. Louis area