When Is Aging at Home a Good Option?

Before deciding whether or not aging in place is the best option for your loved one, you must evaluate three key factors: the person, the home, and the existing support network. Only when all three of these criteria are in favor of aging in place does it make sense.

First and foremost, you need to consider the person. Most people want to stay in their homes as they get older, but elders may not be able to do this safely.

Then there’s the house itself too. The house must be able to fulfill the demands of an older person, be accessible if they need aid walking, and be big enough that they can manage with the proper assistance. Finally, the senior requires a solid support system that can help them and be for them. Here’s what it would look like if all three factors are in place:

• A senior citizen lives in a one-story home and is well acquainted with his or her neighbors.
• An adult child relocates to the same house as their parent in order to give ongoing assistance.
• A two-story home is renovated so that the elder may live on the main floor without having to use the stairs, and a caregiver visits on a regular basis to assist with housework and home care.

WHEN AGING IN PLACE ISN’T A GOOD IDEA

Many older adults’ desire to stay independent and at home does not coincide with their physical, emotional, or cognitive status. While health problems may not prohibit an adult from aging in place, they can certainly make it more challenging. In the following scenarios, aging in place may not be the best option.

• You and other prospective family caregivers may live a long distance apart or work full-time.
• Your loved one has few community friends who can assist him or her.
• You won’t be able to assemble a network of caregivers who reside near your loved one.
• A 24-hour caretaker is required, but the house is unable to provide one.
• The seniors need medical equipment or supplies, yet their house is unsuitable.
• Your loved one is confined to a wheelchair, and the house has narrow entrances and corridors.
• The elderly family member is hesitant about having strangers in their house as paid caregivers.
• Your family can’t afford to employ a caregiver, but they don’t have the time to offer care themselves.

HOME MODIFICATIONS THAT MAKE IT EASIER TO AGE IN PLACE

People typically suffer from mobility issues as they become older. Many houses aren’t built to accommodate older people who need mobility aids or are in danger of falling. Hallways that are less than 36 inches wide, slippery flooring in the kitchen or bathroom, and even carpet-to-hard-floor transitions can all be unsafe. You can make some helpful adjustments to make your senior loved one’s house safer if they desire to age in place.

Stairlifts

Stairs are difficult for senior citizens to maneuver. They might also be a safety risk due to sore joints and balance difficulties. Moving to a one-story house, on the other hand, undermines some of the advantages of aging in place.

Walk-in Tubs

Seniors may bathe without having to step over a tall bathtub edge with walk-in baths. They include a swinging door that opens to let the senior step inside, as well as a seat for sitting, bathing, or showering. If a senior stumbles over the side of the tub, this reduces the danger of a restroom fall.

A walk-in tub is required for bathing at home when a senior is wheelchair-bound or has difficulty walking. Even with home care assistance, stepping over the tub edge is a dangerous hazard.

Handrails

Falls can be prevented by installing handrails and grab bars in bathrooms and corridors. They also aid your loved ones in navigating their house on their own.

Widen Doorways

If a senior heavily depends on mobility aids like a walker or wheelchair to get around her house, widening doorways is a must-have home improvement. The cost of widening doorways varies greatly depending on the insulation and placement of electrical switches and outlets in the home.

Install Ramps

Exterior stairs can be difficult for seniors who are unsteady on their feet or have poor balance, so ramps are an essential home modification that is well worth the cost to provide greater independence. Licensed contractors are trained in the construction and installation of ramps that are the proper height and rise for seniors.