FAQ & Tips

Falls are not just the result of getting older. Many falls can be prevented. Falls are usually caused by a number of things. By changing some of these things, you can lower your chances of falling.

You can reduce your chances of falling by doing these things:

1. Begin a regular exercise program.

Exercise is one of the most important ways to reduce your chances of falling. It makes you stronger and helps you feel better. Exercises that improve balance and coordination (like Tai Chi) are the most helpful.

Lack of exercise leads to weakness and increases your chances of falling.

Ask your doctor or health care worker about the best type of exercise program for you.

2. Make your home safer.

About half of all falls happen at home. To make your home safer:

Remove things you can trip over (such as papers, books, clothes, and shoes) from stairs and places where you walk. Remove small throw rugs or use double-sided tape to keep the rugs from slipping. Keep items you use often in cabinets you can reach easily without using a step stool. Have grab bars put in next to your toilet and in the tub or shower. Use non-slip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors. Improve the lighting in your home. As you get older, you need brighter lights to see well. Lamp shades or frosted bulbs can reduce glare. Have handrails and lights put in on all staircases. Wear shoes that give good support and have thin non-slip soles. Avoid wearing slippers and athletic shoes with deep treads.

3. Have your health care provider review your medicines.

Have your doctor or pharmacist look at all the medicines you take (including ones that don't need prescriptions such as cold medicines). As you get older, the way some medicines work in your body can change. Some medicines, or combinations of medicines, can make you drowsy or light-headed which can lead to a fall.

4. Have your vision checked.

Have your eyes checked by an eye doctor. You may be wearing the wrong glasses or have a condition such as glaucoma or cataracts that limits your vision. Poor vision can increase your chances of falling.

What's Cooking in Kitchen Design: Designing the Kitchen That Fits Your Personality

Approaching any home design project takes time and careful consideration. There is the layout, the floor plan, the products, the style. All choices you must make. But what do your choices say about your personality?

Whether you are a chef at heart, a busy mom or the consummate entertainer, let your kitchen showcase your inner talents.

Professional Chef In-Training

Serious cooks like a serious kitchen. So take your kitchen to a whole new level. That begins by repositioning the layout of the room and adding top-of-the-line, industrial-quality appliances to introduce a workspace worthy of any celebrity chef.

Creating an efficient work triangle can be the difference between a cooking mess and a cooking success. The kitchen work triangle is the distance between the sink, refrigerator and range or cooktop with each area becoming a focal point in the space. The idea is to conserve effort and maximize food preparation efficiency. Taking the time to calculate the appropriate distances between each will save you time and energy for years to come.

Once your design is ready, you want to shop for products that can meet and exceed your cooking needs. From six-burner stainless steel gas stoves to warming drawers and the Sub-Zero PRO, these are the bells and whistles of a true professional. Popular additions might include a pot-faucet above the stove, a separate vegetable sink, and a multi-function island to aid in each masterpiece.

Multitasking Mom

A mom's work is never done. And it seems that many daily activities take place right in the heart of the home – the kitchen. From preparing meals to helping with school craft projects, the kitchen needs to accommodate all tasks of a busy parent.

By opening the kitchen to the dining and living areas, the space appears larger and becomes central to all activities. The whole family can be together. Whether watching a ballgame on TV or doing homework at the table, an open kitchen area provides ample room for all.

Organization and multifunctional design elements can also make life a little easier. Large pantries, pull-out drawers and lazy-susans help maintain kitchen organization and keep counters clutter-free. Installing a large island in the kitchen creates a multi-function workplace with endless possibilities for use.

And don't forget the kid-friendly touches. Introducing a microwave at a lower height for older children and considering a computer station for those homework needs are priceless features.

Avid Entertainer

Design the kitchen that meets not only your needs as the party-thrower but also impresses the guests. For intimate gatherings and holiday parties, create the kitchen that accommodates all your hosting needs.

Entertaining in the home is a time-honored tradition. As the host or hostess, you often have several hats to wear and a lot of guests to please. Since you can't be in two places at once, make the most of your space. Open the kitchen, living and dining areas to allow for easy conversation without the isolation.

By positioning the range and primary food preparation areas to face the dining and living rooms, you can enjoy cooking and entertaining all at once.

Task lighting and undercabinet lighting can help set the mood while bar areas and island seating can provide additional space for guests to sit and relax. Counterspace for buffet service is a plus. And built-in wine refrigerators, pull-out refrigerated drawers for sodas and custom pantries provide all the necessary storage for your extra supplies.

Lastly, there's one feature that fits all personalities. From the chef to the mom to the host, there's nothing quite like a whisper-quiet dishwasher to help you relax after the job is done.

If your kitchen needs a new personality, feel free to contact DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen at 719-636-2444.

Aging in Place: Tips for Your Home

According to AARP, 83 percent of people 45 and older are homeowners. A survey conducted by the association in 2003 found that three quarters of those people expect to remain exactly where they are for the rest of their lives. Many forward-thinking seniors are remodeling their homes to accommodate decreased mobility, dexterity, strength and stamina, along with reduced sensory acuity. If you'd like to jump on that bandwagon without triggering your trick knee, follow these easy tips:

• Focus your activities of daily living to the ground floor of your home.
• Make sure your home has at least one point of entrance with no stairs.
• Widen doorways to at least 36 inches, which will fit a wheelchair.
• Use levered door handles. For someone with arthritis, pressing down is easier than turning a knob.
• Place electrical outlets 18 inches high, instead of 12; move light switches to 42 inches from the floor instead of 48.
• Install strobe light or vibrator-assisted burglar and smoke alarms.
• Move your peep hole to eye-level. Incorporate an emergency response system.
• Use lever faucets with anti-scald valves and temperature-controlled tub and shower fixtures.
• Place grab bars in the bathroom and wherever else you may need them.

If you would like more information about how to remodel your home and make it a safer place give DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen a call at 719-636-2444. DreamMaker also offers a class entitled, "Making Your House a Home for a Lifetime". For upcoming class dates give them a call at 719-636-2444.

Have many of your remodeling questions answered, review the links below.

If you needed heart surgery, would you ever consider asking three surgeons to submit bids and then go with the lowest price? The rhetorical answer is an emphatic, "Of course not!” However, many homeowners think nothing of spending tens of thousands of dollars and opening up their home to a contractor who they have selected based solely on his price. Granted, a remodeling project is not a life threatening operation. But it could have a definite effect on your family’'s well being and financial health. Many factors other than price need to be considered before the best contractor for the specific project is found.

A common tactic is to solicit three contractors for bids. The homeowner will often throw out the high and low, and take the middle, confident he’'s minimized his risk by dropping both extremes. Price drives the selection. As an afterthought, the homeowner may or may not check the company’'s reputation, references, insurance and licensing documentation.

Are you planning a new addition, replacing a roof, finishing your basement, or remodeling a kitchen or bathroom? Such home improvements require a major investment.

Avoid costly mistakes by taking time to carefully plan the project. You may want to consult with a Design/Build company such as The Remodeler. We can provide complete services, which evaluate the parameters of your project, define a budget and create a plan built within your specifications.

Next, select a licensed and professional contractor. If you're new to the Pikes Peak region, you may want to contact the Housing and Building Association's Remodelors Council or the Better Business Bureau.

While Colorado Springs home prices are rebounding, remodeling costs have risen only slightly and mortgage interest rates remain low. As long as these conditions hold, it's good news for homeowners planning to remodel.

Most homeowners know that a house is not a mutual fund--they remodel to improve their quality of life, not their net worth. Still, savvy Colorado Springs homeowners consider resale value before making a major remodeling investment. Even though few homeowners put newly remodeled homes on the market, "prudent" is an important word here. Although remodeling generally increases the value of a home--and often brings a return approaching or equaling its cost--the formula is not foolproof. The style and quality of the upgrade is extremely important. To perform as an investment as well as an amenity, a remodeling job should complement or improve on the style of the existing property. Workmanship should equal that of the original house.

Is it time to remodel your kitchen?

Many homeowners think their kitchen is outdated from the looks of their worn cabinets, dated appliances and crackled countertop. What they may not realize is that there are many other reasons, more important than cosmetic, why a kitchen needs to be remodeled.

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) offers the following tips to help homeowners evaluate the current condition of their kitchen and decide if the time is right for a remodel.

Are you in the process of planning to remodel your home? If the answer is yes, here are some tips on how to establish and maintain a good working relationship with your remodeling contractor.

REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS

Everyone who begins the remodeling process has visions of the "dream" home they'll have when it's completed. Few, however, give much thought to the dust and dirt, noise, inconveniences, scheduling delays, and slight problems, which will need to be dealt with along the way. These elements are part and parcel of any remodeling job and every client needs to be realistic and accept the fact that there will be some inconveniences.

Free Consumer Report about Home Remodeling in Colorado Springs

(Contact form must be completed before receiving report.)

Caution - Don't hire a contractor until you’ve read this report.

To receive our FREE report "Consumer Guide - Secrets to Successfully Remodeling Your Home," simply complete the form below and click the "Submit" button. Your report will be emailed to you immediately.

WARNING - Don't hire a contractor until you've read this report.

To receive our FREE report "Consumer Guide - Secrets to Successfully Remodeling Your Home," simply complete the form below and click the "Submit" button. Your report will be emailed to you immediately.