Did you know the average cost of care in Assisted Living or full-time in-home care is over $4,500.00 per month?

Maybe you are like me and live in an older home.

It is never too early to start thinking about simple home modifications, as they are one of the easiest ways to improve our ability to live in a lifelong home!

Why should we consider making some modifications?

The goal is to create a safe, livable, and enjoyable space for all of us to not only live in but thrive in!  This can also help maintain a sense of purpose and independence which is incredibly important to all adults, no matter what age.  Safety and security come from the familiarity with your own home.  Proximity to family, friends, and community, can also be a factor.   Accessible long term care could potentially take away from your already built-in social and support network.  Finally, the cost of alternatives and financial stability plays a role!

Simple home modifications have free, low, medium, or high cost options.  The next question is where to start?

First, simply, assess your space with a friend or a check list, start with free or easy tasks and then work your way up, and definitely start early and start now!

Here are some simple, low cost options that you could start with today!

1. Cut the Clutter: This is important for fall prevention and could be as simple as a power cord in a spot that is a trip hazard or some items on a nightstand that can be moved so that there is room to grab on to when getting out of bed.
2. Review Entryways: Having at least one spot to enter the home without steps could mean creating a ramp or something smaller to ease the step over a lip into a doorway.  Make sure there is good lighting, check and repair any loose rock or broken concrete, and add a chair or shelf close to your entry so you can set items down while unlocking and opening the door.
3. Steps and Flooring:

• For steps, simple patterned and short carpet is best. If steps are not carpeted, add non slip tape and grab bars on both sides of stairs.
• Remove those throw rugs or make sure it has no slip grip backing or purchase carpet tape to keep it down.
• If you are looking at replacing flooring, the National Home Builders Association and others are utilizing the coefficient of friction to show how slip resistant flooring is. A coefficient of friction rate of .6 or higher is optimal which can be found on the packaging or by calling the company.
• Can’t replace flooring right now? Check out non-slip paint that increases the coefficient of friction that could be put on tile, in garages, and even wood floors.

4. Doorways: upgrade by widening to 36 inches or add swing away hinges to allow more entry space.
5. Checking Lighting: Be sure stairs, hallways, bathrooms and even kitchens are lit at night.  Consider purchasing a motion censored night light.  Replace your light switches with ‘rocker’ switches for increased ease in turning on.
6. Change Pulls and Knobs: Improve grab ability by changing round door knobs to lever handles and from round cabinet pulls to D shaped pulls.

For more information contact Tara Solomon-Smith, [email protected], or call 620-244-3826.

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Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

Amanda Clasen- Community Vitality Agent    

November  2024

The holiday season is upon us and while I love the Christmas smells and beautiful lights, the glooming thought of “pinching Pennies” or shopping on a budget really brings my holiday spirits down. Knowing that I can still have a nice holiday season and I am able to give as well even on a budget does bring some joy back to that feeling!

While shopping on a budget may mean that you aren’t able to buy everything on that special someone’s list, following a few simple steps allows you to create a magical Christmas even when shopping on a budget is required.

Try to calculate your budget and make a list of who you need to buy for early. Set a limit that you are willing to spend on each person and stick to that budget as much as you can. When making that list, try to start shopping and buying early in the season. Buying one or two gifts each month all year will allow you to avoid stress and allows you to catch deals throughout the year. Also remember, once you have completed your shopping, resist the temptation to buy any extras you may come across.

While gift buying is often one of the most expensive parts of the holidays, decorating your home can often be pricey as well. Including your kids in making homemade decorations such as popcorn strings and salt dough ornaments not only save money but create those holiday memories. Remember that the best part of the holidays is spending time together. Aside from decorating, finding movies on your favorite streaming platform or by swapping movies with friends and family is another inexpensive way to create memories over the holidays.

Food is often another big expense of the holiday season, especially if you are the one hosting the holiday party. Turn your get together into a pot-luck gathering. Ask each attendee to bring a dish. Saving up your grocery store loyalty points is another way to cut cost. Sometimes those loyalty points can be redeemed for more food related items or even gifts!

During the holidays, travel is another big expense occurred when visiting family out of town. If you are looking to fly rather than drive a tip is to make sure to book hotels and flights early due to prices going up closer to the holidays. It is recommended to book those expenses at least 3 months prior to the scheduled travel.

The most important part of a budget friendly holiday season is trying to avoid going into debt over the holiday. Enjoying the magic of the holiday and the memories created, allow you to move into the new years with a positive bank account.

For more information, please contact me Community Vitality agent Amanda Clasen at  [email protected] or any Southwind District Offices. To learn about additional programs we will be offering, visit Southwind.ksu.edu!

This is a reminder that pesticide containers are not to be repurposed after the pesticide has been used. Labels on non-refillable containers state, “Do not reuse or refill this container.” Some containers are refillable, and those labels typically say, “Refill this container with pesticide only. Do not reuse this container for any other purpose.” In some cases, the label may say, “Refill this container with [common chemical name]” or “This is a sealed, refillable container to be used only for [common chemical name],” which indicates that it can be refilled with the same pesticide by a retailer. These labeling statements make every pesticide container, from a 2.5-gallon jug up to a 30-gallon tote, illegal to reuse. Reusing containers for any other purpose is considered pesticide misuse and a violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. A pesticide container, even if it is empty or the label is removed (defaced), remains part of the pesticide product.

After use, pesticide containers should be disposed of properly. Disposal options may be limited by local regulations and ordinances. Containers that have been triple rinsed and crushed and/or punctured may be accepted by sanitary landfills or landfills that accept industrial waste. Check with your landfill operator prior to taking empty containers for disposal. Triple-rinsed containers can also be returned to the supplier. In addition, some counties in Kansas have a plastic pesticide container recycling program. Check with your county’s Extension office or Household Hazardous Waste program for more information.

Lonnie Mengarelli is a K-State Research and Extension Agriculture agent assigned to Southwind District. He may be reached at [email protected] or 620-223-3720

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Sarah Lancaster, Extension Weed Science Specialist
[email protected]

Frannie Miller, Pesticide Safety and IPM Coordinator
[email protected]