Aging in place is not a magic formula. Rather, it is a choice seniors can make to try to ensure a higher quality of life and control their circumstances as they age.
It is a decision that requires some planning, so to get you started we’ve created a series to cover high-level topics to get you started.
Through these pages you will explore a number of aging in place topics, including information about your home, community and others that you will need to consider while creating your aging in place plan.
Think of this as the basics of aging in place; a primer to jump-start your age in place discovery.
Aging in place information
You will see the Aging in Place Basics menu in the top-right of this page that will guide you through the age in place topic pages. (It will be present on every page of this section.) Each page or section is created to deal with a certain aspect of aging in place. Our hope is that these basics will help you as you start learning more about the concept and begin planning for yourself.
To get you started, we’ve also included a brief description of the aging in place links below.
What is Aging in Place?
Aging in place means being able to live in the home of your choice for as long as you are able, while being able to get any assistance you require as your needs change. It sounds pretty cut and dry. However, there is more to it than you may think.
Finding the right house for you
Finding the right house for you is an important part of your aging in place plan. Many houses don’t have the features needed for aging in place or they are not in the right type of community to suit your future needs.
So, often seniors find their homes are not elderly-friendly and lack usability features that increase safety. Remodeling and making other changes in your home allows a person to craft their home to be one they need as their needs change.
Assistive technology
Assistive technology can provide real benefits to seniors aging in place. These assistive devices can help you create a more safe and enjoyable lifestyle. Devices range from low-tech to high-tech, and should be chosen based on functionality and ease of
Assistive technology
Community
There are many choices available when building an aging in place plan and where a person lives is one of them. The features and resources available can have a large impact on a person’s quality of life. As a person ages, the need for outside assistance increases. Knowing what services you might need for aging in place and where they are available can help make planning much easier. It will also relieve some stress in the long run.
Health Care
Another major aging in place basics consideration is health care. Keeping in good health helps ensure a higher quality of life. Access to adequate health care resources in your community can prevent many obstacles for seniors and being healthy contributes to a brighter outlook on life.
Finances & Legal
Making proper financial and legal preparations can make or break an aging in place plan. It will also reduce peace of mind and a senior’s quality of life. The decisions that are made for a home, care and even daily living will be impacted by the planning you make in the areas of money and legal.
Aging in Place Planning
Proper planning (if you haven’t guess yet) is the best thing a person can do to ensure they have the lifestyle, quality of life and, eventually, care that they want as they continue to age. If a senior doesn’t have an aging in place plan that covers their wishes and wants, making preparations as best as they can, then decisions will eventually be left up to someone else.