The Top 3 Benefits of Aging in Place

It’s not hard to see why so many seniors prefer to stay at home as they grow older rather than relocate to a nursing home or assisted living facility.

According to AARP, nearly 80% of adults over 50 want to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. This is reflected in where seniors are choosing to age: the number of adults opting for nursing homes has declined compared to those deciding to age in place in their homes.

Whether your parents have wondered aloud how long they can remain at home or you’ve raised your own concerns privately with friends and family, there are a few key benefits to aging in place that you should be aware of as you discuss care plans with your loved ones.

» Download our free guide to home care, "From Crisis to Caregiver."

Why Seniors Prefer Aging in Place

Although it may seem like stubbornness, there is usually more to it than that. When compared to the other options, seniors cite the following as reasons they wish to stay home:

• Independence: Though your mother might have a more difficult time getting around, that doesn’t mean she wants to let go of control over her life. Many seniors wish to hold onto their independence, even if it means making a few adjustments to their routines or living situations to do so.
• It’s hard letting go: The simple fact of life is that it is hard to adjust as things change. While it’s tempting to call your father stubborn, with a little empathy, you can realize how difficult it is to make the decision to leave a home and lifestyle he’s had for decades.

The resistance to change is one of the biggest obstacles to getting help for older loved ones, but there’s an option that gives you peace of mind while preserving their way of life: aging in place at home.

3 Benefits of Aging in Place

Aging in place has a few distinct benefits over other senior care options that you should be aware of. You can discuss these benefits with your family members to foster an active discussion on care:

1. Saves costs
2. Provides a familiar setting
3. Improves well-being

Financial benefits

In the state of New York, the median cost of a nursing home is $13,000 per month. New York is among the most expensive in the country, but there are many other states with five-figure medians.

Compare that to staying at home or downsizing a home, which can drastically reduce the costs (especially if the mortgage is paid off). Hiring a caregiver privately or through an agency is not free, but it does reduce the financial concerns around finding high-quality care. If the cost of an assisted living facility is a non-starter, there are plenty of options that can fit your budget.

Familiar environment

Of all the benefits to staying at home, this may be considered the most desirable.

Home, neighborhood, and community all create a familiar setting, keeping family members comfortable and secure as they age. Uprooting someone from that setting can feel like a drastic change with downstream effects on health or relationships.

While aging in place assures a familiar environment that reduces stress while retaining more control over routines, meals, and visitors, familiarity should not come at the cost of safety. Read on as we share strategies to make sure your loved one is safe while staying in her home.

Emotional and Physical Wellbeing

A study published in the National Library of Medicine cites many emotional and physical benefits that come with aging in place, including:

• Improved quality of life
• Reduced healthcare costs
• Lowered risk of illness
• Reduced stress

Staying put may just be the best thing for a parent, however, that same study cites added risks that come with staying at home, including the risk of injury as daily activities become more difficult. That’s why having a capable helper – whether it’s you, another family member, or a professional – becomes critical to ensure your loved one can remain at home.

How to Help Your Senior Age in Place – Safely

As we said above, aging in place has many benefits, but doing so safely is key.

Just because home may be the best place, it may also mean that someone will need to adjust their lifestyle or have a little extra supervision around the house.

Here are a few ways to ensure your loved one can age in place safely:

• Safe-proof the home: From motion-sensor lights to slip pads on the floors, there are plenty of ways to make your loved one’s home safer. Review our checklist here for a full list of tips.
• Downsize and remove clutter: Downsizing is often a great place to start if your loved one lives in a home that is difficult to get around in or filled with clutter. This can be a difficult conversation to have, though, so check out these tips for more guidance.
• Hire help: Just because you can’t be there 24/7, doesn’t mean your senior can’t remain at home and receive care. By hiring a caregiver privately, you can have complete control over who is in your home and ensure your parents get the care they need from someone both of you trust.

When caring for a loved one gets to be too much, hiring a caregiver is often the best choice you can make. Hiring a caregiver privately (as opposed to a traditional home care agency) gives you complete control over who is in your home and when, ensuring your loved one can continue to age in place safely.

Thinking About Home Care? Download Our Free Guide “From Crisis to Caregiver”

If the thought of hiring a caregiver makes you feel overwhelmed, we recommend our free eBook, “From Crisis to Caregiver: An Uncomplicated Guide to Home Care.”

This eBook discusses the ins and outs of hiring a caregiver, arming you with a trustworthy resource to make the best decision for your loved one. Our eBook takes a no-nonsense look at:

• The realities of financing senior care.
• Straight talk about the pros and cons of the three common home care options.
• Our own stories of hiring caregivers are a way to highlight the unexpected pitfalls you’ll want to avoid.

Click the button below to download the free guide and take the first step toward approaching the hiring process with confidence and peace of mind.

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