My family moved to Washington, D.C. in 1965. My father bought,

site unseen by our Mother, a four story Victorian (c.1906) in Cleveland

Park. Over 45 years of living, our house was filled with family heirlooms, fond memories of entertaining, house guests (beds to sleep 17), wonderful friends and neighbors, possessions from world travels, grandchildren, birthday parties, reunions, garden parties, and family life.

    Our Mother passed away at home in 2004, embraced by all those years, family and friends. My sister Anne from Connecticut and I visited our Dad whenever we could, setting up support systems and helping him through this time of our life.

    In 2008 we transitioned 43+ years of living, down to the ground level of our cherished family home. We made safety and accessibility modifications to the existing kitchen and bath and to other parts of the house. Whenever possible we included familiar furnishings and treasures. A family has since rented the top three floors, affording our father to stay in his home for now. Daddy cheerfully says he "is aging in place with grace, and don’t ask who grace is". This move has allowed him all things familiar—gardening, proximity to church, the local market, doctors, neighbors, pool, metro, etc..

    Our father’s 'new digs' inspired me to help others Age in Place.

Additional Experience and Affiliations:

National Association of Home Builders: Certified Age in Place Certification,

Peer Counselor with Center for Successful Aging, Santa Barbara City College Interior Design

classes, and each new client provides another level of experience.

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