Many people value independence and living on their own terms. Because of that most want to remain in their own home when they are older. To stay in one’s own home it takes some pre-planning and certain lifestyle choices that can be made before the senior years. Making small changes and plans can help take some of the responsibility off of loved ones when it comes time to age in place. This also helps to insure that all needs and wants are met while also ensuring that comfort and safety remain a priority. It’s beneficial for adult children to also be included in the pre-planning process so that there’s less worry for everyone when the time comes when the parents begin to need more help.
There are many things to plan for when thinking about aging in place, so take some time and think about what is important to you. Many things are easier to do when you are younger, like making home repairs and modifications when you have the energy and resources to do them. If you have a chronic health issue, that also needs to be taken into consideration when planning to age in place. In-home health care is a cost-effective option that allows older adults to continue to live in their own home while receiving personalized, professional care.
Make a Comfortable Home
The first step to planning for aging in place is deciding if you want to stay in your current home, or if downsizing is a better option. You’ll need to look at how accessible your house is. There may be a need to make modifications like; installing grab bars, replace steps with ramps, or converting downstairs rooms into a bedroom and/or a bathroom. Whether looking to downsize or stay in your own home, you will also need to take into consideration that falls are a big risk for elderly adults. To prevent falls make sure that hallways and stairways are adequately lit, bathtubs and showers have floor level entry, loose flooring or rugs are eliminated, and non-slip flooring is added.
Plan for Risks
There are risks that need to be taken into consideration when planning for aging in place like; falls, accidents, social isolation, and not receiving adequate medical care. Planning for these risks can help make sure that emergency situations aren’t too dire. In addition to preventing falls by making modifications to your home, have a plan in place with who to call and how to call them in case falls or accidents happen. Social isolation can affect anyone who lives alone, but older adults are especially prone to feeling isolated if their mobility is limited or if they don’t see friends and family often. Having a plan in place for visitors to come visit often can help prevent feelings of social isolation. If friends and family are unable to visit often, having an in-home care professional come to visit can help lessen the negative mental and emotional impact. Having an in-home health care professional can also help with transportation to doctor’s appointments or may even be able to give necessary care in the home to prevent the risk of not receiving adequate medical care.
Medication Regimen
With aging usually comes health issues that require several medications. But, with those health issues may come cognitive or mobility issues that can make it challenging to keep up with a daily medication regimen. Using pill dispensers, writing down a schedule, or using medication schedule apps or programs can help to maintain a medication regimen on your own. For some people, it might be helpful to have an in-home care professional to help with reminders of when to take medications and help with distribution.
Food Preparation
Food preparation is an important activity of daily living (ADL) that needs to be taken in consideration when planning to age in place. Most people will want to continue preparing their own meals for as long as possible. It’s crucial to remember that the kitchen can sometimes be a dangerous place with the risk of falls or burns. The kitchen may also become an inconvenience for some seniors when it becomes a chore to simply stand at the counter and prepare food. Modifications can be made to the home to help with safety and convenience for ease with food preparation into the senior years. An in-home care professional can help with anything from meal planning to meal prepping and everything in between.
In-Home Care
Many people who choose to continue living in their own home into their senior years are independent and autonomous. However, there may come a time when they need a little more help around the house. Some may experience chronic conditions and others may experience temporary health setbacks. Whatever the need, an in-home caregiver can help. Whether it’s for just a couple hours a week to help with meal prep or for several hours a day to help with ADLs. Thinking about the kind of support you need or might need is an important factor when planning to age in place.
In Home Care for the Elderly to Support Seniors, Caregivers and Families in Arkansas.
Superior Senior Care is Arkansas’s oldest, most trusted name in in-home care services, we prioritize your peace of mind. We offer referrals for a variety of levels of elderly care and services, with both short and long-term options. All the senior caregivers on our registry undergo thorough screenings and comprehensive background checks and are trained to work with clients in everything from household duties to grocery shopping. We’ve helped families with a variety of chronic conditions including dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, lung disease and more.
For more information on our home health services offering, please contact us today at (888) 503-5879 or visit our website at https://www.superiorseniorcare.com/our-services/
As the first accredited registry in Arkansas, we have more than 35 years of experience and thousands of happy customers. Access to our large client registry means stability for you and the best chance to match you with just the right family. If you are interested in becoming a caregiver on our registry, fill out and electronically submit our pre-screening referral application here: https://www.superiorseniorcare.com/caregiving-opportunities/
Resources
https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/aging-at-home-problems-solutions/#food
https://www.homecity.com/how-to-prepare-for-senior-years
https://ageinplace.com/aging-in-place-basics/what-is-aging-in-place/
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