Aging in Place Requires Planning and Support

There’s no place like home, and home is where many seniors desire to stay as they age and their health needs change. In fact, 75% of respondents in an AARP survey of adults age 50 and older said that they want to stay in their homes and communities as they age. ‘Aging in place’ has become a popular alternative to traditional nursing home care.

How is aging in place defined?

The term ‘aging in place’ refers to the ability of a person to stay either in their own residence or the residence of a family member or caregiver, as they continue to age and their needs change.

In addition to allowing the senior to stay in the environment where they’re most comfortable, aging in place is intended to help seniors maintain and possibly even improve their quality of life. For example, if a senior has begun to neglect certain activities, aging in place resources can help them stay on track to manage their health and stay engaged. To make this possible, an honest assessment of the senior’s health, mental fitness and capabilities must be performed in order to determine the support needed.

What are some considerations for aging in place?

Aging itself is a challenging process, as it can bring physical changes such as loss of vision and hearing, balance problems and memory problems. These in turn can affect a senior’s ability to drive safely, move around their home and keep up with what’s known as Activities of Daily Living (ADL) such as getting dressed and bathing. Older adults also need resources to effectively manage health conditions and chronic diseases.

However, if assistance is available from a supportive network of family, friends and caregivers, seniors may be able to retain some independence at home.

What are the challenges of aging in place?

There are a variety of environmental hazards that may limit a senior’s ability to move around safely. Homes with stairs are difficult to navigate, and homes that are cluttered with years of mementos and furniture may pose fall hazards. If a senior is coping with these issues, their family members and loved ones will need to consider modifying the home, remodeling, adding safety features and improving accessibility.

Another challenge is the availability of friends and family to provide supportive help. Many families live in different states and may not live close to the senior in need. Even if family lives close by, they are often working full-time and coping with the demands of their own lives. In these situations, engaging a professional caregiver can be part of the plan to make the senior’s aging in place arrangement work.

When is aging in place a good choice?

Aging in place should not mean aging alone. Aging in place works best for people who can create a plan, modify their home to meet the senior’s needs and establish a supportive network of family and home care services.

Kadan’s compassionate caregivers can help adults who prefer to age in place at home enjoy a higher quality of life. We would be honored to be a part of your family’s support system.

Dina Kadan White2022-02-21T20:05:27+00:00February 21st, 2022|

About the Author: Dina Kadan White

As Vice President of Kadan Homecare, White oversees the day-to-to day operations and assists with strategic planning for company. White has worked with Kadan full-time for the past 11 years, although she has been engaged with the family-run firm at some level for most of her adult life. Prior to joining Kadan, White served as Director of Product Development at Equifax and previously was a Marketing Director with Wachovia. These jobs prepared her well for a position where she works for the benefit of all aspects of this highly client-focused agency. White holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She is a member of the National Private Duty Association, a membership organization for firms whose homecare model is to employ, train, monitor and supervise caregivers, create a plan of care for the client and work toward a safe and secure environment for the person at home. White is also a member of the National Association for Home Care and Hospice.