Lifestyles
AARP Segunda Juventud April/May Home Issue Features Top Improvement Tips to Yield Long-Term Benefits
aarpsegundajuventud.org / News Release
April 5, 2005
With low mortgage rates spurring a record number of Americans to refinance their homes in order to redesign their homes, AARP Segunda Juventud's April/May Home issue lets readers know how to make a remodel or any new construction not only beautiful, but last a lifetime. Most homeowners think only of the present when they remodel or build the house they plan to live in the rest of their lives. For Hispanic families, who traditionally maintain close contact with family members, it is even more important to have a home designed to ensure that many generations can live comfortably. AARP Segunda Juventud explores the top things one should consider when designing a home to last a lifetime.
- Stairs: What will happen when you can no longer negotiate the stairs up to that lavish master suite?
- Consider some things to watch that might prevent you from getting into your home such as a tight turn in the front walk, a front step or the width of your front door.
- Design options: Think about universal design, the practice of designing products and environments that can be used by all people, whether young or old, short or tall, able-bodied or with disabilities. In addition, designers today are designing simple, attractive ways to keep homes accessible and convenient for life.
- Financial benefits: Many contractors recommend incorporating universal design concepts into renovation projects pr when building new. Adding an elevator could cost up to $50,000, while closets placed above each other can later be converted into an elevator and save nearly $30,000.
ALSO FEATURED IN AARP SEGUNDA JUVENTUD APRIL/MAY HOME ISSUE:
Mexican Retirees: Best of Both Worlds – Celestino Fernández, an 83-year old former bracero, and his wife share a home in the village of Santa Inés, Michoacán. Like many Mexican retirees, the Fernández family divides the year between homes in Mexico and the U.S. They are living their dream of returning to Mexico, while keeping strong ties with their children and grandchildren in the United States. This article provides tips for retiring in Mexico, such as implementing direct deposits for social security checks, contacting the U.S. State Department for information about health care and health insurance – Medicare does not extend into Mexico – and visiting a locale for a trial period before buying a home and moving.
Don Francisco: His Secrets for Staying in the Spotlight – After more than 40 years hosting the much-loved variety show Sábado Gigante, Don Francisco is still going strong. The Chilean philanthropist, husband, and father of three brings his universal appeal to more than 100 million viewers worldwide every Saturday. A uniting figure in both Chile and the entire Spanish-speaking world, his name was added to the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2001 and drew one of the largest turnouts organizers had ever seen. What are the secrets to his happiness and success?
Yoga & Tai Chi: Beyond the Trend – It seems like everywhere you turn someone is raving about yoga or tai chi. In the last decade the popularity of these fitness activities has soared, and with good reason: they can help increase flexibility, improve back problems, reduce stress, and add to overall physical wellbeing. AARP Segunda Juventud provides readers with a one-stop authoritative look at what they could expect from these trendy exercise regimes.
News, information, and features, many drawn from the magazine, will be higlighted on Segunda Juventud en la radio. The program can be heard at celebradio.com or check with your local broadcast station.
AARP Segunda Juventud is the only U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community. Since its debut in Houston, New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, and Puerto Rico in 2002, AARP Segunda Juventud's distribution has almost tripled. Today AARP Segunda Juventud reaches 600,000 members in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The magazine has a dedicated editorial staff in AARP's national office, and uses premier Hispanic writers to pen articles.
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. We produce AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators; and the Web site, www.aarp.org. AARP Foundation is our affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.