Best Tips For Aging In Place
By Cheri Platte, Managing Director, Circle of Care Home Care
Choosing to age in place is preferred by 76% of adults according to a 2018 AARP survey. We all want to live a healthy, independent and dignified lifestyle for as long as humanly possible. And why not? There’s no place like home!
There’s no escaping the reality that we all will get old, but as long as we have the physical ability and financial means, then a little planning can make aging in place sustainable as well as the best choice for mental health and quality of life. Here are our best tips for aging in place.
Best Tips for Aging in Place
The definition of Aging in Place varies from state to state or health care institution, but it’s safe to say that aging in place is simply the ability to live independently in our own residence, or other place of choice, without losing our quality of life.
Determine if Aging in Place is Right for You
Besides individual cost savings, aging in place has also been shown to have health and emotional benefits over institutional care. But aging in place, depending on your situation, might also require some home modifications as well as other living adjustments. Here are some considerations to determine if aging in place is right for you.
- Consider if you will need home modifications such as safety grab bars in your bathroom, transitional ramps at entrances, stair lifts or other safety and mobility equipment. Also consider the need for alarms, monitors and communication equipment in the event of an emergency.
- Consider family friends and social networks. Close proximity is essential for our mental well-being, as well as quick emergency assistance if needed.
- Consult your doctor for age-related health needs especially if their is family history of age-related health conditions.
- Plan for for future home care services if/when needed. Home care services can provide services for activities of daily living such as light house keeping, grocery shopping and meal preparation. See Home Care services to learn more.
Funding Tips for Aging in Place
Depending on your circumstances, aging in place can be a huge savings over institutional care facilities. However you may need now, or in the future, home modifications as described above, home care, home health, or even other at home care services for advanced stages of life. Also see types of home care.
- Compare the costs of staying home versus a community-care setting. If there is no mortgage on a house then there may be funding in the home equity to pay for a home modifications.
- Funding options using home equity include home equity lines of credit that provide access to funds as needed, or a reverse mortgage which can provide retirement money and are generally easier to qualify for than a traditional mortgage.
- Insurance. When it comes time for home care, do your research. Home Care is typically funded through private pay or those with long term care insurance. The VA will cover a small portion for qualifying war-time veterans or their spouse. With home health care, there is Medicare, Medicaid, and many commercial insurance plans. The health care part of it is either paid by Medicare or private health insurance and the home care part is covered by LTC Insurance or private pay.
- Check with your local resources for other elderly services such as meals on wheels and other programs.
Tips for Aging Healthy
We all want to age gracefully and not have to deal with the negatives associated with aging. Staying healthy and active at an older age is possible if you focus on the right areas and implement the right lifestyle choices. Also see tips for healthy aging.
- Stay active -There are so many benefits to exercise including improving balance, improving your mood, keeping you mobile, and even better cognitive functioning.
- Community involvement – People who have strong relationships with others are happier, more positive, and are even more physically active.
- Eat Healthy – As we get older, we need to be more aware of what we are putting into our bodies and make sure that we are eating a balanced diet.
- Doctors visits – Going in for regular checkups is very important for healthy aging. Doctors can pick up things that early before they become serious.
- Home care services – when it becomes too difficult to keep up with the activities of daily living, consider home care services. Home care services allow a person to continue to live independently and maintain their dignity.
Final Thoughts
Aging in place is preferred by more aging adults because it provides more freedom and independence, the comfort of familiar surroundings and community social networks. At Circle of Care, we advocate for aging in place seniors and have devoted our services just for that reason. It’s not always possible for an aging senior to have the assistance of family or friends. When you or a loved one need an extra hand, count on us to be there for you when you need us.
For a FREE, no-hassle consultation, contact us.
Cheri Platte
Managing Director
CIRCLE OF CARE, LLC
Cheri Platte is a home care expert and a professional consultant for family caregivers. She has been a compassionate advocate for the elderly for over 20 years now. As the Managing Director for Circle of Care, she focuses on providing excellent and high-quality home care solutions for families who care for their loved ones.
Her mission is to educate the public on the benefits of home care and home health, assist families in developing individual care plans, and help them plan for the advanced stages of aging, emphasizing on what matters most in terms of quality of life for the loved one. The company culture enables Circle of Care to hire and retain hundreds of professional care team members who are skilled and compassionate and produces a word-of-mouth referral network in the Southern California communities they serve. They are trusted by families, doctors, nurses, social workers, hospitals, nursing homes, senior communities, Long Term Care Specialists and other esteemed members of the healthcare industry. When not helping families in need, Cheri spends time mentoring other business owners and rising professionals plus volunteering at various organizations.
