How In-Home Care Contributes to Successful Aging in Place The concept of aging in place has recently gained significant traction within the field of senior care. This term, which refers to the process by which seniors remain at home as long as possible while aging, has become a movement, birthing the National Council on Aging in Place and many other organizations, technologies, and efforts designed to help seniors remain at home as they grow older. Despite these numerous support services, however, aging in place would be far more difficult for many seniors without the presence of in-home care. By providing affordable, professional support in a variety of areas, in-home care makes aging in place achievable for many families. Aging in Place and In-Home Care: An Overview A generation ago, the elderly had far fewer options than they do today for dealing with the physical and mental decline caused by age. Instead, as they became frail, suffered the onset of dementia, endured illnesses, or experienced falls and related injuries, they were usually placed in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes. While these facilities provided them with professional and compassionate care, they also removed much of the seniors' independence and way of life. Several years ago, the aging in place movement arose in response to the reluctance of many seniors to continue this system of long-term care. The movement focuses instead on allowing the elderly to stay at home while they age. It facilitates this choice through many organizations that provide seniors with the support they need to make staying at home possible. For instance, one of the primary aging in place organizations, the National Aging in Place Council, exists to connect seniors with aging in place resources. Senior care, in Texas and elsewhere, has been changed as a result. Technologies which allow family members to more carefully track their loved one's safety and health at home have sprung up. Ways have been found to modify residences to make remaining at home easier for seniors facing mental and physical challenges. Even many long-term care facilities, such as assisted living facilities and nursing homes, have begun finding ways to help seniors retain as much of their normal life as possible even after they require residential care. In particular, however, an emphasis on in-home care has arisen. Over the last few years, private care options, such as in-home caregivers and home health care services, have increased to allow seniors to receive the support they need at home. Factors Driving Aging in Place The main factor driving the aging in place movement is the desire of the elderly themselves, who overwhelmingly want to remain at home. For instance, according to the AARP, almost 90 percent of seniors want to grow old at home, and 82 percent wish to do so even after they require help to maintain their health and way of life. At the heart of seniors' desire to age in place is a desire to retain control of their lives. A senior who has lived on their own for 50 or 60 years does not want to cede control over their routines, meals, and activities to an institution. Nor do they want to leave a home they have enjoyed for, in some cases, many decades. So powerful is this drive to retain control and to remain in one's own, comfortable environment, that only 14 percent of adults approaching retirement age have even ever considered the fact that they might eventually require daily care. In addition, the aging in place movement is being driven by the simple fact that remaining at home is good for seniors. Geriatric care that occurs at home has been proven to contribute to the overall health of seniors, both mental and physical. The combination of better health and more independence make aging in place an appealing option for many seniors.
The Importance of In-Home Care in Successful Aging in Place The desire to remain at home and in control drives the aging in place movement, and in-home care helps to make this desire a reality. Through the many options available, seniors can select the services that help them retain control over their care. For instance, a senior receiving in-home care has a say in who becomes their caregiver, is allowed to maintain a routine that they enjoy, and possesses the ability to tailor their care to their specific needs. In-home support often becomes necessary when the senior begins to suffer setbacks in their health (such as decreased vision requiring them to give up their driver's license, or a decrease in mobility that makes climbing stairs or bathing difficult). There are many ways to provide this support. For instance, technologies such as monitors that record how often the refrigerator is opened, devices that alert emergency personnel if the senior falls, and other tools allow families to keep a closer eye on elderly loved ones who are still living at home. In addition, houses can be modified to accommodate an aging inhabitant, and organizations such as Meals on Wheels and others provide practical support for seniors in need. Ultimately, the support of an in-home caregiver often becomes a necessity if the senior is to continue living safely at home. Without the support of home health care services, an in-home caregiver, or another kind of in-home care provider, many seniors would simply be unable to remain at home. For instance, if families notice that a loved one is no longer eating enough, a personal care assistant may be necessary to make sure they eat nutritious meals every day. If a senior falls and requires physical therapy to recover from a hip fracture, they can only do so at home through the support of a private physical therapist. In-home care supports aging in place by bringing the professional care that used to be located only in long-term care facilities and hospitals into seniors' homes. As a result, in-home care is an essential aspect of allowing any senior to remain at home as long as they desire. How In-Home Care Contributes to Aging in Place In-home caregiving services provide much of the support the senior needs to successfully age in place. While these services are varied, most of them can be condensed into a few larger categories of in-home care. Following are a few of these categories:  Fall Prevention Falls account for more than 95 percent of hip fractures and afflict 2.5 million seniors a year. Their steep physical and financial cost (of more than $34 billion a year) make fall prevention an important element of successful aging in place. Fortunately, skilled caregiving services are available to evaluate homes for fall risks and to help guide families in fall-proofing the home. From identifying problems such as thick carpeting or cluttered floors to assisting in installing handle bars and banisters, these services prevent crippling falls and make homes safer for seniors who wish to age in place.  Transportation Many seniors are unable to drive because of illness, poor eyesight, or other problems. A personal care assistant who can provide transportation to and from events, visits, and doctor appointments can provide assistance in maintaining the senior's independence and way of life. By doing so, they contribute to the emotional well being of the senior, the senior's overall physical health, and, ultimately, to the senior's ability to successfully remain at home.  Medical Care Many types of medical care can now occur at home. For instance, physical therapy can be a form of in-home care if the therapist visits the house. If you choose to hire a nurse, you can provide your loved one with assistance with medical machines, complicated medicine regimes, transitioning back to home after a hospital stay, and many other medical situations. In addition, caregivers can often catch signs of illnesses early on, allowing the illness to be addressed before it interferes with the senior's quality of life.
 Companionship As a senior becomes more frail and less mobile, they often suffer from isolation. In addition, they may begin to lose friends and family members who used to provide them with a source of companionship and support. Isolation and grief can often lead to depression, as well as to decreased physical health. An in-home caregiver can help to counteract isolation, depression, and related health problems by providing a source of companionship and support. This friendship alone, aside from any practical help the caregiver provides, can improve the senior's mental and physical well being as they age in place.  Tailored Services Finally, in-home care allows the family to tailor the services their aging loved one receives. In a longterm care facility, the senior often receives a broad spectrum of care. In-home care, however, can be targeted only at those areas where the senior needs additional support. When in-home care is tailored to the senior's needs, it creates space for independence in the rest of the senior's life. For instance, a personal care assistant can provide companionship and transportation, while leaving the elderly person free to take care of the other details of their life. A physical therapist can work on mobility with a client without intruding on their routines. The Affordability of In-Home Care Finally, in-home care makes aging in place possible because it is relatively affordable. Compared to the costs of other types of senior health care, in-home care is often the least expensive choice. When you find a private in-home caregiver, you save money because you do not have to pay the fees for the home health care agency, or pay for round-the-clock care your loved one does not yet need. As a result, an in-home caregiver may provide not only a way for your loved one to age in place, but also a way for you to afford the care your loved one needs. In addition, it is becoming increasingly common for states to pass laws allowing seniors to enjoy reimbursements for in-home care at the same rates from providers (such as Medicare) as if they had gone to a long-term care facility. This type of financial support recognizes the value in-home care provides and makes it easier for seniors and their loved ones to afford the care option that works best for them. In-home care is transforming and enabling the aging in place movement. As hiring a caregiver, a nurse, a personal care assistant, and even a physical therapist or medication manager becomes increasingly possible, so does the option for seniors to remain at home as they age. Doing so opens up a world of possibility for them, as they enjoy the independence, freedom, and tailored support they need to thrive. Sources: http://thrivesl.com/boomers-fuel-aging-place-trend/ http://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/1-29-14-senior-living-expert-2014-predictions/ https://www.care.com/a/aging-in-place-pat-kelleher-on-trends-in-senior-care-12181358 http://www.iyhusa.com/AginginPlaceFacts-Data.htm http://www.care.com/senior-care-4-safe-options-for-aging-in-place-p1145-q7590799.html http://www.helpguide.org/articles/senior-housing/home-care-services-for-seniors.htm