So what does “aging in place?” The fact is that most older adults would prefer to live in their current home instead of moving into a senior living community. Some recent studies claim that as high as nine out of ten older adults say they would prefer aging in place rather than move into a retirement community. This mindset is most likely based on influences and opinions heard as a child and a preference to maintain ones independence.
How many times have we heard the statement “their not gonna put me in an old folks home”. Or “they’ll have to take me out of here in a box before I’m moving”! And the fact of the matter is that years ago the “old folks home” wasn’t exactly the place you wanted to go! As it was often said “people go there to die”! Ouch! That’s horrible! Who would want that? However those days are long gone. Today’s retirement communities are vastly different from your grand parents “old folks home”! More about retirement communities later, here we are going to explore what you can expect when you’re Aging In Place.
Aging In Place
What does it cost to age in place compared to the costs of a senior living community. Typically, home care when aging in place can often be lower than the cost of care in a senior living community, although this is not always the case. Unfortunately their is no “one size fits all” solution because everyones needs are so different. So it is best to start researching your Charleston Senior Living Options as early as you can so you are prepared when the time comes to make a decision.
The most important keys to successfully aging in place is maintaining your health, your support network and your finances. If your married, it’s important that you and your spouse pay attention to each other’s daily physical exercise, mental exercise and dietary routines. The one thing that will deplete your finances faster than anything else is a serious illness. So do everything you can to maintain your health and well being.
As we age, natural physical changes start to happen to our bodies and mind. Prior to the time when this occurs it’s smart to have a plan for when that day does come. And you have to realize that it’s not, “if” changes will happen, it’s “when” changes will start to happen. Unfortunately we are all in some form of denial about either our appearance, our physical condition or our physical abilities. Some of my athletic friends often joke that “the older we get, the better we were”! How true!
Changes Are A Coming
Here are a few examples of some of the changes that can occur to us as we are Aging In Place.
- Reduced vision
- Diminishing strength and/or endurance
- Reduced mental capabilities
- Less balance control
- A higher risk of falling
- Increased risk of illness
- Reduced hearing
- We can become less mobile
Everyone will experience similar changes at different levels in their lives. So having a plan to age in place will help you be more prepared when the time comes. Successful aging in place is all about maintaining your quality of life and independence while living where you want to live.
The impacts of these physical changes can show up in the activities of daily living (ADL’s) in older adults. As an older adults capabilities lessen the effects can be experienced in activities like:
- Driving safely around town
- Moving freely through the home
- Transportation
- Shopping
- Socializing
- Home maintenance
- Health maintenance
- Personal hygiene
- Cooking
- Cleaning
- And many others
The Aging in Place Plan
When you are still healthy, vibrant and mentally sound is the time to research your options. You want to be proactive in your approach to Aging in Place. We’ve seen too many people over the years left life get away from them. They either become trapped by their home and possessions or grow too old mentally and physically handle moving late in life. The sad reality is that all our lives we have been taught to save and plan for retirement but no one teaches us what do do once we get there!
Our recommendation is to do your research. Study, plan, ask questions and be proactive in your approach to age in place. Too many times, for too many people, an accident happens or a health emergency occurs and the decisions are taken away from the older adult and made for them. We want to encourage you to learn your options and design your plan, so it’s your decision as to how you live your life.
When Aging In Place Is A Good Choice
Those who successfully age in place have planned well and are in good health. They have a home that they can move freely about and is a safe environment. Successful age in placer’s also have a great support network of either family, neighbors or healthcare providers. The bottomline is that when you age in place, if you are not in good health, you have to provide all of the services in home that would be available at a senior living community.
Not A Good Choice
Sometimes we all need a reality check. Unfortunately not everyone can age in place and if that is the case the sooner we make that determination, the sooner we will be prepared when the time comes to make the tough choices. Below are a few ideas to consider when deciding what is right for your situation.
- You can no longer drive and have few transportation options
- You’re lonely at home and feel isolated
- You’re afraid living by yourself
- Having unfamiliar workers and care givers in your homes makes you uncomfortable
- Your spouse has to reduce work hours to provide your care
- There is no sleeping accommodations for overnight caregivers
- Extensive remodeling is necessary to make your home safe
- You do not have the financial means to cover in-home services
- The health of your family caregiver is in question too
- You have a gut feeling that aging in place is the wrong move
So you can see when you’re in good health aging in place is the only option. However, after reviewing the list above, I’m sure your beginning to realize that once our health condition changes, so does the viability of aging in place. Check out more Senior Living, Lifestyle Options like Downsizing, Retirement Communities and Care Homes too!
Your Charleston Senior Real Estate Specialists
Bill and Millie Byrd are your Charleston Senior Living Experts! As Senior Real Estate Specialists Bill & Millie have been serving the Senior Real Estate Market for many years. “Let us guide your through the process of finding the right fit for your next chapter in life”. “Whether you need help selling the family home or simply finding that next home, or both, we are here to help”! Contact Bill & Millie at 843-972-7670
