How to Plan for Aging in Place

People are living longer than ever these days, which naturally means the amount of their lives they’ll need care will increase. An estimated 70 percent of older Americans will need care and assistance at some point in their twilight years. 9 out of 10 older Americans as well plan on staying in their home as long as possible, known as “aging in place”. This has become the ultimate retirement goal of the Boomer generation.

Unfortunately, many older adults fail to appreciate the planning and forethought that goes into setting themselves up for success doing this, and end up suffering disastrous health results as a consequence. Therefore, it is prudent to begin planning on how best to age in place now, so that you can maintain a comfortable and dignified standard of living in your own home for as long as possible.

Though 70 percent of seniors over the age of 65 may need help and assistance with tasks, this does not necessarily warrant moving into an assisted living facility. Many older adults merely need some simple assistance with just a few tasks, like cooking, cleaning, taking medication, or getting around town. Historically, this kind of work was performed by the family, adult children or grandchildren that all pitched in and helped their older relatives.

Sadly, the reality is that solely relying on family to care for you when necessary is becoming more and more unrealistic, for a variety of reasons. Many adults move much further from their homes than they did historically before, work longer hours, and the ratio of older adults to younger adults is increasing as a result of people living longer. Whatever the reason may be, it’s important to understand that you may not be able to get all of the assistance you need from your family, so it’s best to consider the idea of hiring outside help. Having assistance at your home for just a few hours a day can prevent trips to the hospital, and even keep you out of a nursing home.

The changes you need to make to safely age in place should be thought of as adapting to this new stage of your life. Approach them as upgrades, and embrace new technologies and conveniences to make things easier on yourself. Things like motion sensing lighting, voice activated devices, or appliances you can control with your phone or tablet, letting you set your thermostat, locks, and more right from the palm of your hand.

Be prepared to deal with the health changes that aging brings about, and make sure to account for how they’ll impact living on your own. Reduced vision and hearing, mobility issues, and increased risks of falls all pose unique challenges that need to be overcome. Consulting with your healthcare provider, or a senior care specialist will provide you with the insight and future strategies you’ll need to set yourself up for success. Taking a realistic picture of your needs moving forward, and the ability of your home to safely provide them and allow you to thrive will let you know if your home is really the right place for you to be.