Successfully and Safely Aging in Place

It’s no secret that aging is a growing subject matter for many of us, and making future decisions does not have to be stressful.  With the aging population in the U.S. growing rapidly due (in part) to baby boomers advancing into their twilight years, there’s a new concept gaining more and more traction: aging in place.

What is aging in place?

You may have heard the phrase and wondered if the definition is as simple as it sounds. Indeed, “aging in place” is literal: it is the process of aging in one’s own home rather than moving into a residential facility, such as a life plan community or a nursing home. The idea is essentially that as the person ages and may require more assistance, supplementary in-home services come to the older adult in their home, allowing them to live safely.

This concept has several benefits, not the least of which is that many of us simply want to stay in our own homes and in the neighborhoods that we know and love. Studies show that not only is it better for the older adult’s mental health, but aging in place can save costs at the individual, state and federal levels – as an example of the individual savings, a recent National Center for Assisted Living report found that the median cost for assisted living in the U.S. is $4,300 per month.

Still, even though aging in place is preferred for many, it requires thought and preparation to be successful.

Planning ahead, financially and logistically

Though the idea of aging in place is straightforward, there’s more involved in the execution. Fortunately, there are many relatively simple ways you can prepare well ahead of time.

As previously mentioned, assisted living homes/life plan communities can be expensive – but aging in place isn’t necessarily free or even less costly. For example, if assistance is needed for activities of daily living, an in-home caregiver may need to be hired. Home modifications may need to be made and pricey safety equipment could be needed. For these reasons and more, it’s recommended that you start planning your finances at least 10 years prior to retirement.

Regarding home modifications, think about the current layout of your home and consider what safety modifications could be made. Is your home’s only bathing option a tub that requires you to step in? Perhaps you want to consider installing grab bars, or a walk-in shower as your next home project. Does your home have a lot of raised area rugs? Shorter rugs are less likely to cause trips and falls. Relatively small modifications like this can go a long way in getting your home ready and helping you live safely.

Conversely, maybe you want to stay in your current neighborhood and live in your own home, but downsize to a more manageable, senior-friendly option (for example, a single-story dwelling or one closer to a public transportation line). Now may be the time to consider taking this step so that you are able to get settled in your new home before your needs change.

Another item on your planning to-do list could be to talk to your doctor about your current health conditions and ask what you should expect from these conditions as you age. While no doctor has a crystal ball to predict your medical future, they may be able to offer you a general idea of the types of medical needs you’ll have in the years to come based on conditions you’re managing now.

Taking advantage of technology

Another way to prepare to age in place is to familiarize yourself with the various technologies that can make your life easier. With technology as advanced as it is today, there has never been a better time to successfully age in place.

While there is no true replacement for human interaction, technology can keep us socially connected to our loved ones in ways previously not possible. Applications like, Zoom, Skype and FaceTime allow for easy video-chatting, so that you can keep up with your friends and family “face-to-face” when you are unable to see them in person. Even physicians and other health providers are taking advantage of this type of video technology to offer telehealth appointments. Consider talking with your doctors’ offices to see if telehealth is an option for some of your appointments.

Especially if you live alone, it’s worth investing in a safety alert system such as Life Alert or Medical Alert, which can call for help in an emergency. Though they became well-known for the “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” slogan, they’re useful for much more than only falls. If you’re not feeling well but are unable to get to a phone, a simple push of a button can reach medical assistance.

Technology also allows for health tracking by way of wearable technology, such as an Apple Watch or Fitbit. These devices can help you keep track of appointments, monitor your heart rate and help detect blood oxygen levels. In addition, the Apple Watch can detect hard falls and can help connect you to emergency services if needed.

Smart home devices, such as Google Home or Amazon Echo, use voice activation to enable phone calls, play music or even do tasks like turn your lights off/on or control your television (if smart activated).

Know your options

Though aging in place is an attainable goal, it doesn’t have to be set in stone and it doesn’t hurt to familiarize yourself with alternative housing options in your area in the event you decide that your needs have changed. One option to consider is Arcadia At Home, a membership program allowing older adults to live at home with the benefits and services from the Arcadia Family of Companies. Older adults can access housekeeping services, food delivery and home maintenance designed for older adults, or access short-term or long-term care at 15 Craigside or Arcadia. Most importantly, guaranteed lifetime care is offered with membership to the Arcadia At Home Program providing peace of mind.

One thing is for certain if aging at home is in your or a loved one’s future: preparation is key. The more we can plan, the more likely we are to successfully and safely be able to age in place, in the homes and neighborhoods we know and love.