Seriously thinking.....

[Debbie]

Seriously thinking about semi-convert our ranch duplexes into wheelchair accessible.

We have four units, one of which has been semi-converted into wheelchair accessible. For example: mother in her 80's has hip problem and arthritis and son in his 60's has a walking disability (can't remember what---something begins with a "p"). It has worked very well for the past two years.

Since our hearts goes out to disabled and senior citizens having severe arthritis/reumatoid(sp?) problems, we are seriously considering doing minor rehab.

We've looked in the newspaper and rarely do we see anything that is wheelchair accessible. Luckily, our duplexes are located in great neighborhood/subdivision with well maintained sidewalks, walking distance to pond and upcoming nearby big public park.

What are the MB fambly thoughts/opinions/suggestions?

Thanx. Debbie

[Dan Auito]

Having unique properties that cater to select segments of the population has always been good biz. Look at the millionaires who own and operate Assisted Living Facilities. Yours is the pre-stage to the ALF'S AND YOU SHOULD ALWAYS BE ABLE TO KEEP THESE PROPERTIES FULL!

I would say go for it!

[Aldo]

I think it's a great idea. A friend recently built an assisted-living facility and says this was best-ever investment. It's virtually a hands-off investment which is a good thing because counting his income doesn't leave much time for maintenance, etc. In his case, the property was triple net leased to a company which provides assisted living facilities to the elderly and handicapped.

Though I recently fired the spelling police, there is help if spelling is important to you; but only if you use the Firefox browser. I used the add-on and found seven suggested possible spellings for reumatoid, which included spellings for somewhat similar words.

[Debbie]

Cerebral Palsy is what the son has....just remembered....

Assisted Living Facilities is something I've never thought of. Due to my ignorance, everytime I saw those words, I automatically thought it has to do with a group of people who has limited thinking processes, for a lack of a better phrase.

I'll have to do some research on Assisted Living Facilities. As long as it is something that is doable for both tenants and us, more power to the tenants.

Out of curiosity---why hasn't ALF been widely used? Or, have I been ignorance on that aspect as well? Gotta research on ALF.....

As far as the spelling police---yes, it is important to me. As a child, I excelled in spelling bee. I recently downloaded Firefox and have been using Firefox since. I have not yet looked for all of those extra add-ons.

Thanx. Debbie

[Debbie]

I spent over an hour via google regarding ALF....perhaps I used wrong keywords (I've tried several keywords) but insofar no help for me and my units.

Any specific link you could provide?

Thanx. Debbie

[Dan Auito]

Deb if you really want to gather intelligence on this subject than these files may offer you insight into the minds of those demographic niches that you seek to serve!

[Aldo]

When in the Firefox browser, click "Tools" (top menu bar) and select "Extensions". There's a lot of good stuff, but there's a lot of junk as well.

[Jeffery (LCLA)]

Hey, Debbie, thanks for excluding me too; but that's on my to do list (be a comedian). Anywho, one of my associates recently added wheel chair access to a home. The person living in the home was paying $900 for two ambulances to come pick her up on a regular basis. The wheel chair ramp cost him about $900 for a 32 foot ramp with two landings. So now she only needs one ambulance at $450. As you can see, that would be great for marketing in the future. The ramp is wood construction and if it's not needed for the next person living in the home, it can be removed or moved to another location.

[Debbie]

Hey, Debbie, thanks for excluding me too;:oops:
but that's on my to do list (be a comedian). :xxrotflma
Anywho, one of my associates recently added wheel chair access to a home. The person living in the home was paying $900 for two ambulances to come pick her up on a regular basis. YIKES!!!The wheel chair ramp cost him about $900 for a 32 foot ramp with two landings. So now she only needs one ambulance at $450. As you can see, that would be great for marketing in the future. The ramp is wood construction and if it's not needed for the next person living in the home, it can be removed or moved to another location.

The wood construction ramp is exactly what we have for our tenant and his mom. Plus, Jeff built and put in wooden hand rail (outside) along with installing rail bars in bathroom, etc. Boy, they're expensive! But well worth it in our opinions.

As far as ALF research I've done, specifically in Springfield---I'm rather discouraged by Springfield's lack of interest. Nevertheless, we're continuing with the current tenant and we'll expand to rest of our duplexes. I don't know how successful it'd be because the location is more than 15 minutes drive to the hospital.

Thank you.

P.S. - the most interesting thing of all is that this tenant and his mom are the most active (physically) tenants I've ever met. No matter how difficult their physical capabilities are, they are not homebound type people. :SM058: