Essential for the elderly to take advice from family, friends, police or experts before starting a project
Peter Simpson
Sun
High on my list of people I despise are those heartless scam artists who prey on elderly homeowners.
Earlier this summer, one such cretin was jailed after bilking an 89-year-old widow of $200,000 for home renovations that were either incomplete or not even started — and all grossly overpriced.
Turns out the guy had a history of preying on trusting elderly women in the Lower Mainland and United States. His take was reportedly more than $1 million. Now he will have a few years to reflect on how his crimes inflicted severe emotional and financial stress on his frail and vulnerable victims.
He likely doesn’t give a damn.
To protect themselves, seniors should seek advice from family, friends, trusted caregivers, police or renovation professionals before considering any home renovation or repair project, or parting with any amount of cash.
An elderly homeowner recently handed over a $3,000 cheque to someone who said he and his crew just finished working on a job in the neighbourhood and, as luck would have it, had on their truck some leftover aluminum gutters, fascia and soffits they could install at a too-good-to-pass-up price.
A short while later, the silver-tongued devil left, cheque in hand. A scant 15 minutes passed when the frazzled woman poured a cup of tea, had a change of heart and called her bank to stop payment on her cheque. Too late, she was told, the cheque had already cleared. Lesson learned — the hard way.
Spending on home renovation and improvement is expected to reach a record $6.1 billion in B.C. this year. It is reasonable to expect unscrupulous people will try to cash in on this burgeoning business. Protect yourself — and loved ones — by doing some homework before agreeing to any work.
Reliable sources of information on the Internet are my organization’s gvhba.org (go to Consumer Resources, then Renovating) and hiringacontractor.com. The Better Business Bureau also offers advice on common scams at bbbvan.org.
If a deal sounds too good to be true, investigate its validity. Caution beats impulse every time.
Still on seniors, I received a letter from Vancouver homeowner Diane B., who expressed concerns that conventional bathtubs are difficult for a person experiencing mobility challenges. Diane wrote that walk-in tubs with seats and grab-bars should be standard fare in all new homes and hotel rooms.
Seniors are a rapidly growing segment of our society, a fact that is not lost on the homebuilding and renovation industries. Slowly but surely, housing design is adapting to the changing market.
Many homes being built or renovated today include features that make it easier for seniors to live more safely and independently. Open floor plans — especially kitchens, dining area and family room — are becoming commonplace. Also popular are main-floor master bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms.
Modifications can be as simple as installing a 2×8 board as part of the framing around a bathtub or shower stall. When required at a later date, a sturdy grab-bar can be attached to this reinforced part of the wall. Also, bright lighting, non-skid flooring and anti-scald showers are worthwhile features.
Lever-action handles on doors are easier to operate than round knobs. A new generation of engineered windows can be opened and closed effortlessly, and positioning light switches and power receptacles so they can be reached from standing or seated positions makes sense. Other mobility-assistance features include wider door openings, low-threshold entries and handrails at all steps.
These modifications can be incorporated seamlessly, invisibly, into the home’s design, so no one needs to know you actually rely on them to some degree. Hey, vanity is not exclusive to the young.
As we move through the phases of our lives, our housing needs change. And, whether we are seniors or parents of young children, we need to pay heed to comfort, convenience and safety in our homes.
Peter Simpson is chief executive officer of the Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association.
e-mail: [email protected]
© The Vancouver Sun 2006
