Aging in Place
Helen is 87 years old and living in her own home. Her husband passed away a year ago and though Helen has always been in relatively good health she has recently been unsteady on her feet and her memory is failing. Her family worries that since she lives alone she may fall and not be able to call for help. They also worry that she will not eat well and forget to take her medications. Helen wants to stay in the family home which she’s lived in for 40 years but her family wonders how to ensure she can live at home safely.

Life expectancy for older adults is on the rise and as a result individuals and families are facing decisions about long term care more than ever before. So many of today’s older adults desire to remain independent by staying in their own homes that the term “aging in place” has been coined to refer to this growing trend. Aging in place looks different from individual to individual but for those wanting to explore aging in place for themselves or a loved one, here are some tips.

Safety and Convenience
Start by making a list of your basic accessibility and safety needs or the needs of your loved one. Siblings who are making these decisions for a parent may want to have a family discussion to create this list. Safety and convenience should be priorities – what does the individual need to be able to function comfortably in the home and to be safe? How will an aging parent get help if they need it? What current features of the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom location, etc might be modified to make a fall less likely? Are kitchen staples and appliances easily reached? Is the bathtub/shower accessible? Personal alert systems, simple handrail modifications and relocation of kitchen storage are common solutions for these issues.

Everyday Living
Also consider everyday necessities of living. Will the person need help with transportation, home maintenance, or paying bills? Do they need help staying active or preparing nutritious meals? Many of these needs can be met through local community-based resources.

Medical Needs
Medical issues may also need to be considered. Many families worry that aging parents will not take medication as needed or will not keep doctor’s appointments. Some older adults may struggle to understand the medical or insurance bills they receive or the medical terminology used by doctors or nurses. Professionals called Certified Care Managers can be especially helpful with coordinating care, understanding medical terminology or helping with medications.

Where to get help.
Connecting with a local community-based care organization is often the best place to start. Certified professionals with these organizations can help to evaluate a living situation and find just the right services, coordinating care with other professionals as needed. This personalized approach can also be the most cost effective because families will not need to pay for costly service packages or expensive facilities which offer more care than is needed. By working with these professionals you can help ensure that you or your loved one can age in place safely, economically, and independently.


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