How to Help Seniors Age in Place | Aging in Place Tips

How you can preserve your loved one’s quality of life through aging in place

Your loved one could be going through life changes where they need additional help but may not be ready to move out of their home. According to a study done by AARP, 80% of adults would prefer to stay in their homes rather than move into institutionalized care. It can be hard to leave your lifelong home, neighborhood, and community for a senior care facility. However, you might be wondering how you can make sure your loved one gets the assistance and care they need if they want to continue to live in their home. Aging in place allows seniors to maintain their independence and quality of life for longer while living in a place that is familiar and comfortable. It offers greater flexibility and freedom, not to mention also significantly less expensive and more convenient. If you and your loved one feel aging in place would be the best decision for them, there are multiple factors you need to consider to make sure it works out for their health, safety, and overall happiness.

When aging in place is NOT the best decision for your loved one

In certain scenarios, a senior’s desire to remain independent and be at home doesn’t match with their physical, emotional, and cognitive needs. If your loved one is in any of the following situations then aging in place may not be the best choice:

• The home is not large enough for the necessary medical equipment or supplies.
• Your loved one can’t drive or use public or senior-friendly transportation options.
• You and other potential family caregivers live too far or work full-time.
• Your loved one does not have as many friends in the community who can help.
• You can’t build a network of caregivers who live close to your elderly family member.
• An overnight caregiver is needed, but the home can’t accommodate one.
• Your loved one is not comfortable having paid caregivers in their home who they don’t know.
• The senior uses a wheelchair but the home has narrow doorways or hallways.
• You believe your loved one feels isolated or lonely at home.
• Your family does not have the time to provide caregiving services themselves but can’t afford to hire a caregiver.

Steps to move forward with aging in place

1. Home safety check (home modification)
For your loved one to age in place, their home must be able to accommodate all of their needs. Whether they are wheelchair-bound or have bad eyesight, their living environment has to prioritize their safety and health. This may require you to make some changes to the house. You can find more information about home safety modification for seniors here.
2. Prioritize health
Your loved one’s health must have the level of attention required with the changes they’re going through. This means taking the right steps and precautions for their medical/health condition as well as keeping a balanced diet and staying active. Regardless, staying healthy can help them avoid health conditions that would require them to move out.
3. Befriend technology
Your loved one does not need to be a tech guru to use Facetime. There are several helpful services your loved one can access through technology that can make their aging in place experience easier. There is an app for everything! Your loved one can have a more convenient way to access security, communication, transportation, and more.
4. Figure out a system of transportation
Since your loved one prefers to stay living at home, there is more of a chance that they will feel isolated or lonely if they don’t have access to transportation. If your loved one can’t drive, making a plan for transportation such as using public transit or Uber is necessary for them to age in place.
5. Make a plan for care
Figuring out the finances and future home care needs is crucial for your loved one to age in place. If the senior requires additional care, you need to plan to make sure those services are accessible.

Aging in place has been shown to have unique health benefits and may promote higher levels of happiness. To make sure your loved one is well equipped for aging in place, make sure to look into the next steps and strategize a plan that works for the person, the place, and the support network.

1 +1 is a referral agency that works for clients and caregivers. We match caregivers with clients and inform them of your requirements. We work for you so you and your loved one can have a safe, enjoyable caregiving experience.