What is Aging in Place?
Aging in place means living out your golden years in your own home, rather than moving to a facility such as assisted living or a nursing home.
According to AARP, over 90% of seniors would prefer to stay at home even if they start to need daily assistance. Unfortunately, despite the best of intentions, many will not achieve their dream. Sometimes, this is due to an illness such as Alzheimer’s or dementia. But other times, the culprit is a lack of knowledge or planning.
If you’re reading this guide, chances are you’re ahead of the game. Keep reading for practical information on how to ensure you are doing all the right things to stay in your own home as you age.
Table of Contents
Common Senior Home Hazards
One of the keys to aging in place is eliminating common hazards to avoid falls. Many falls occur in the bathroom, but they can happen in any room of the home. Here are some common hazards, and ways to avoid them.
Difficulty Getting In/Out of the Shower
- Install grab bars (never use a towel bar for support! They aren’t weight-bearing)
- Get a shower bench
- Get a shower wand (hand-held showerhead)
- Consider replacing the tub with a walk-in shower
Difficulty Transitioning On and Off Toilet
- Install grab bars nearby
- Get an elevated toilet seat
Difficulty With Stairs
- Use handrails every time
- Look at the steps as you go up or down
- Don’t carry large objects that obstruct the view of the steps
- Make sure stairs are well lit
- Consider adding a stairlift (motorized chair that allows you to ride up the stairs)
Trouble Walking
- Non-slip slippers/shoes
- Use a cane for balance
- Replace longer shag carpet with smooth flooring
- Remove any floor mats that don’t hold firmly to the floor as they can be trip hazard
Trouble Getting Up From Seat
- Use chairs with armrests
- Consider putting down firm foam cushions on chairs and couches
- Consider a lift chair
Trouble Reaching Objects in Cabinets/Shelves
- Keep your most-used items at heights between your waist and shoulders to avoid bending or reaching
- If you must use a stepstool, only use one with rails. NEVER stand on a chair.
Cost of Aging In Place
People often ask what it costs to age in place, but another way to look at it is “What will it cost to not age in place?”
First, let’s take a look at the cost of aging in a facility. The numbers below are for one year in a facility, but keep in mind, the average time spent in a facility is just over two years.
- Nursing Home (Semi-Private) – $107,676 per year
- Assisted Living – $46,200 per year
- Home Care (22 hrs./wk.) – $22,000 per year
It’s important to also mention the non-monetary costs of aging in a facility. Loss of independence and the stress of moving and changing environments often come with emotional and psychological price tags.
Home care is the least expensive form of care, but it’s often only possible if your home is adequately prepared. Here are some of the most common home accessibility products and their average prices.
- Stairlift (straight rail) – $3,000
- Handicap Ramp (modular aluminum) – $7,000
- Walk-In Shower – $10,000
Planning for Aging in Place
Aging in place is always easier when you plan for it. Whether you’re planning for yourself, or you’re planning for a parent, there is much to consider to make staying at home a reality.
Planning for yourself
If you’re reading this because you’re interested in making sure you’re prepared for the future, you’re ahead of the curve. Not only are you increasing your chances of being successful, you’re also proactively helping your loved ones who will inevitably have some level of involvement in your care. Here are a few things you should consider:
- Anticipate future needs as best as you can.
- Planning for the unknown can be tough. So start by focusing on the known. Do you have a disease or condition, like diabetes, MS, or arthritis, you expect to get worse with time? If so, familiarize yourself with how your condition typically progresses and make decisions on how you’ll overcome those challenges when they arrive.
- Will you be able to navigate in & out and around your home? Make your intentions known to your family.
- All too often adult children find themselves in a quandary asking themselves “What would mom/dad want?” Let’s face it, nobody wants to think about a future where they are declining, but most of us will face at least some of the challenges of aging if we live long enough.
- Involve your family in your planning. That way everyone is on the same page, and your support system is strong.
Planning for a parent or other relative
If you’re reading this section, you’re probably in one of two camps – you’re planning ahead with your parent(s) or you’re trying to solve a current problem. Not only will you need to consider the same things as in the section above, but you’ll also need to consider:
- Will they age in place in their home or yours?
- What daily care will they need? Who will provide it? Who will pay for it?
1. Install a walk-in shower – this is a modification you can do that is stylish and popular. In fact, this is probably one of the only modifications you can make that doesn’t necessarily look like a handicap modification.
You can even add built-in benches, grab bars, and cubbies at this time, so they don’t look like add-ons some day when you really need them.
2. Change common doorknobs to lever-style knobs – you’ll thank yourself later if you develop arthritis in your hands.
How to Know When a Parent Needs Help
Facing the reality that mom or dad are starting to decline is never easy. On one hand, you might feel uneasy about confronting your parent about their ability to take care of themselves. On the other hand, your parent might be very good at hiding the fact that they need help.
Here are some things to look out for:
Mobility Issues:
- Trouble navigating stairs
- Difficulty getting in and out of the bathtub or shower
- Needs assistance getting out of bed or out of a chair
- Unable to safely reach items on shelves or pick things up off the floor
Declining Hygiene & Personal Care
- Are they clean?
- Are they getting dressed every day?
- Are their clothes soiled or dirty?
Physical Changes
- Weight loss
- Noticeably more frail
Forgetfulness
- Forgetting to take medication or mixing it up
- Remembering names of familiar people
- Trouble finding the right words
- Forgetting to pay bills
- Misplacing items or putting them in odd places (i.e. checkbook in the freezer, etc.)
Home maintenance decline
- The house is unusually dirty
- The lawn is no longer being maintained
- Home repairs aren’t getting done
Loss of interest
- No longer interested in hobbies
- Frequently has no opinion
Need Professional Help?
Put your mind at ease by calling in a professional aging in place specialist. We can evaluate your home, give you recommendations and prices, and help you decide what makes the most sense for you and your budget. Call us at 810-213-6377 or complete the form below today!
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