Today’s elderly population is blazing a new trail for seniors in many ways. Aging individuals in our modern world are living longer, more active lives, and they are participating more in society than any previous generation in their retirement years. As a result, they are eschewing typical lifestyle choices and patterns of the past in favor of new ways of living. For many seniors, this means living and aging at home where they are comfortable and secure. This desire has created a huge demand for in home senior care services, and it’s also made family members and other loved ones reconsider how to provide support.
These days, family members aren’t worried about putting Mom or Dad in a home; they are concerned with how to make sure Mom or Dad’s home is fit for aging in place safely and comfortably.
If you’re concerned about a family member who insists on aging in place, there are some simple steps you can take to make sure conditions at home are ideal and appropriate for healthy aging.
Here are three great tips:
1. Make Necessary Modifications
The cost to retrofit a home can be scary, but think about this: the cost to make structural modifications to a typical one-story home is about $10,000 (depending on location and a number of other factors), which is nothing to sneeze at. However, when you consider the costs associated with occupancy of a nursing home or other facility, which can rise to tens of thousands of dollars a year, the costs of modifications are worth it. Do what’s necessary to make the home safe and secure, and you can feel confident that you made the right choice.
2. Don’t Forget the “Little” Things
Consider normal, day-to-day activities like opening doors or removing items from kitchen shelves. Are these tasks presenting unnecessary challenges to your loved one? Small modifications like installing better doorknobs or rearranging shelves can make a huge difference. It’s also a good idea to evaluate the home’s lighting, which is crucial for senior safety and wellbeing. New fixtures may be the best solution, but you might be able to make significant improvements simply by installing new bulbs.
3. Take Advantage of Technology
The modern world benefits from automation in a number of ways, and your senior loved one’s home can take advantage of the same benefits. Programmable “smart” thermostats and other devices can help you ensure that the home is always comfortable, plus it can take taxing responsibilities off of an aging individual’s plate. You can also use technology to communicate with your loved one and ensure that the home is safe and sound, even when you’re thousands of miles away.
More Advice for Aging in Place
Are you caring for a loved one who insists on aging in place? Always Best Care can help you. Call us today at 1 (855) 470-CARE (2273) to set up your FREE consultation.
