Aging in Place – A Good Option For Seniors
There are many advantages to aging in place for seniors, and current trends in technology, home health care, and city planning are making it easier for more seniors to stay at home longer which is good for them and the communities they live in. A partner like Pace Medical Equipment & Supplies can coordinate minor home modifications along the way and provide solutions to changes in mobility such as lift chairs, scooters or power wheel chairs.
The Benefits of Aging in Place
One of the biggest benefits of aging in place, is that it allows seniors to remain in the community they have lived for years, if not decades. The importance of the familiar and comfortable cannot be overstated. This is especially true if a senior has issues with recalling things or has experienced memory loss. Also, by aging in place, an older adult doesn’t have to part with their most prized possessions and moved into a smaller space that may or may not have the room to surround themselves with the mementos and the treasured items they have spent a lifetime collecting and enjoying.
While it may seem that aging at home would be more expensive than moving to a nursing home, the opposite is actually true. With help from a home healthcare worker and minor home modifications for accessibility, staying in your home costs about 20% of what a nursing home costs on a monthly basis. In addition, if seniors are able to age at home, they can continue to be a part of their community and join in events and activities with friends who have been a part of their circle for years. If a senior is forced to move to an assisted living facility or a nursing home, these ties to their friends and community are often lost. Finally, if an older adult is forced to move, there is a sense of losing the independence they once knew and cherished. Of course, aging in place does come with some obstacles that need to be overcome.
Dealing with Medical Issues when Aging in Place
The reality is that when people age, they do face increased medical issues, and many need help with day-to-day activities. Because of this, home healthcare has changed dramatically to meet the challenges older adults face. While many older adults don’t need medical assistance on a daily basis, they may need some help around the house and a home care helper along with home medical equipment. This type of care helps seniors with daily living activities. It can be provided by both professionals and support networks that include neighbors, family, and friends.
Non-medical home care can include help with the laundry and light housekeeping or meal preparation. It can also supply companion care, which will help the senior in your life stay active and involved in their favorite activities. In addition, non-medical home care can also include overnight care and live-in services. With overnight care, a caregiver would come to the home a few hours before bedtime and spend the night, and then help in the morning before the caregiver leaves. This type of service can make the older adult feel safe and secure during the nighttime hours.
Regardless of the non-medical level of care older adults require, such services can help keep seniors in their home and allow them to age in place, which will make them happier and feel more connected to the world. Pace Medical Equipment & Supplies can partner with you and your loved ones in keeping the home accessible and safe as aging takes it’s natural course. Disabilities and changes in mobility can be met with a wide variety of solutions. With the right planning, aging in place is a realistic option for many of us.
