What If I Want To Stay In My Home?
Today’s older adults have more choices than ever before when it comes to deciding where to spend their senior years. In the past seniors typically stayed in their own homes until their health began to decline and then they often had little choice but to surrender their independence and move into a traditional nursing home. While this type of setting may have been a good fit for some, many older adults who simply needed a bit of extra assistance found no alternative except to enter an expensive nursing home which often charged them for services which they didn’t necessarily need.

Aging adults can now choose from a variety of senior housing options including 55+ communities, Assisted Living facilities, and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs). Each of these has its own unique pros and cons and seniors can now choose which option best meets their overall lifestyle needs. Some include meals, housekeeping, medical resources, and some also offer the option of moving into more structured parts of the community as one’s health declines. However, each of these options is expensive, requires a large initial financial investment, and may limit personal independence and autonomy.

Despite the expanded menu of housing choices, many seniors indicate they would prefer to stay in their own homes as they age and this is actually a very feasible and cost-effective option. The reality is that any service which can be provided in an assisted living facility or nursing home can be duplicated in a comfortable home setting and often at a much lower overall expense. Bringing services into the familiarity of one’s home allows an individual to purchase just the services they need so they are not paying for expensive supports which they don’t use. The growing senior market has also led to the growth of construction specialists who can expertly modify a home to provide wheelchair access, cupboard accessibility, or safer bathing and bathroom facilities. As individuals age and their needs change, additional supports can be added but individuals who ‘age in place’ continue to enjoy the autonomy of living in their own home and community.

Menomonie-based Aurora Community Services has a unique solution for individuals who are considering senior housing options through their innovative service Age of Tomorrow. The idea behind Age of Tomorrow is simple – the best way to provide long-term care and to most effectively manage long-term care dollars is to care for seniors in their own homes. Providing in-home care makes the most sense financially while allowing the older adult to remain in familiar and comfortable surroundings.

By working closely with Aurora’s Certified Care Managers and Registered Nurses, families participate in the creation of a Care Plan custom-tailored to meet the needs of themselves or their aging parent. Since each individual is one-of-a kind, the Care Plan for each individual will be unique and will focus on providing whatever is needed to ensure their safety, independence, and dignity. The comprehensive Care Plan can include not only simple things like the addition of bathtub grab bars or wheelchair ramps but also the services of medical and nursing professionals to help with medication management, explanations of diagnoses, or personal care. Regardless of the need Aurora’s skilled professionals will provide the resources which meet the individual’s unique needs.

Aurora has almost 25 years experience providing high quality community based services to families and individuals. Their services help ensure that aging seniors and vulnerable adults receive excellent professional care and support while providing families with the peace of mind that their loved one is receiving dignified and expert care.


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