5 things you need to know about aging in place
More and more people are choosing to age at home—find out what you need to know to make it safe
https://aginginplace.com/ defines aging in place as
“living where you have lived for years, typically not in a health care environment, using product, services and conveniences which allow you to remain home as circumstances change…you continue to live in the home of your choice safely and independently as you get older.”
Staying at home may sound easier than finding an aged-care facility and selling your home; however, it does require some advanced planning. Here are 5 things you need to know about safely aging in place:
1. Make the necessary changes to your home
In our last blog, we touched on how 75% of accidental deaths in people over 65 was attributed to injury caused by falling. Ideally, for aging in place you will want to live on one floor, minimize the need for stairs, as well as:
- Widening doorways and hallways to accommodate a wheelchair
- Putting in ramps
- Replacing flooring with slip-resistant materials
- Install and/or updating alarm system.
2. Consider the cost of home care
91% of pre-retirees have expressed the desire to stay in their homes—or avoid aged-care facilities—throughout retirement. However, many don’t consider the financial, and practical, aspect of this desire. The median cost of a home health aide is $46,332 a year.[1]
Another important financial and practical consideration is the need for a back-up plan. If one spouse is looking after the other and then becomes incapable of doing so, their family may need to place them in a care home.
3. Plan for maintenance costs
Eventually, retirees will find themselves in a position where they are unable to do household chores like mow the lawn or shovel snow. A Boston College study showed housing costs like utilities, taxes, and maintenance make up 30% of all expenses for couples between 65 and 74.
The take away for this is: to make sure these expenses are worked into the retirement budget (adjusting for inflation as time goes by).
4. Transportation and health care access
As we get older, we need a team of medical and dental professionals to help us stay healthy. This is one of the reasons why it’s so important to ensure high-quality health care is close by. And why having access to good public transportation systems like buses, taxis, Uber and Lyft drivers is a must.
Good transportation isn’t just vital for health care: good transportation is important for quality of life, in that it allows retirees to get out and about when they want to.
5. Stay informed
Part of aging in place safely is knowing what help is available. And not just for retirees. Children of retirees (and retirees) who want information on how to help their parents can access resources here.
Aging in place has become the desired way of life for retirees
RX HealthCare Services can help retirees safely retire in the comfort of their own home. With our range of services from part-time to full-time in-home careers, our qualified staff can provide with high-quality care.
If you would like to know more about how we can help you, please contact us today.
[1] https://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2016/10/04/Aging-Place-5-Things-You-Have-Do-Retire-Your-Own-Home