Seasons of Life

Aging in Place

Maintain Independence Safely

By Linda Sutherland

Aging in place is defined by the CDC as “the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level.” Essentially, it means staying in your own home as you grow older. Nearly 90 percent of seniors would prefer to stay in their own homes as they age, and respecting those wishes is an important factor in supporting them. We all want a life that is positive and satisfying—that feeling does not change as we grow older. With the right support, independence and a good quality of life can be found at any age.

The benefits of aging in place go well beyond the desire to stay home. First and foremost, seniors who age in place can continue to stay in familiar surroundings and maintain their routines. Studies have shown that aging in place is good for seniors’ health (provided that they don’t need medical care that can only be achieved on an inpatient basis). There is also the cost-saving aspect of aging at home.

Of course, you don’t get the benefits of aging in place if you’re not safe in your home. If your aging loved ones have expressed a desire to live at home, it’s important to figure out whether they can do safely. In many cases, a home can be made much safer for seniors with some modifications.

The number-one threat to seniors is falling, but there are many ways to lessen this risk. If the home has stairs (indoors or out), adequate lighting and railings are necessary. If a senior can no longer take the stairs, a ramp or stairlift may be in order. Grab bars or seats in the shower, as well as walk-in bathtubs, are ideas to consider for the bathroom. Non-skid flooring and sufficient lighting are important in every room. For seniors who have difficulty with hand grip, cabinet hardware can be updated to handles that don’t require a gripping motion.

Some of these modifications are relatively simple and inexpensive. However, some require an expert in the field of aging in place. To help people find the professionals they need, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) created a designation for contractors who specialize in this area. They are called Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists (CAPS), and they have undertaken specific education to learn about what modifications seniors may need and how to implement them. Some professionals in and outside the construction industry have a “Living in Place” specialization. This indicates experience and interest in building and remodeling homes that are accessible to everyone. You can find CAPS contractors by searching the NAHB directory (start at nahb.org). These people know their stuff and can help you feel secure at a time when you need reassurance and guidance.

Many of the modifications implemented by CAPS are part of a concept called “universal design.” In home design, this means that homes are deliberately built to be accessible to everyone. In addition to some of the modifications already discussed, it might include no-step entry points into the house and doorways wide enough to fit a wheelchair.

In addition to home modifications, seniors may need some amount of home health care in order to age in place. Most home health care companies offer a combination of both medical aides and those who help only with the activities of daily living. Such aides are generally paid on an hourly basis. AARP has many resources to help families that need caregiving guidance.

Of course, if seniors are aging at home, they may also need assistance with home maintenance and yard work. Seniors who would like to remain independent but no longer want the responsibility of maintaining a house may be interested in an assisted living arrangement. Residents live in their own apartments but have as-needed access to services like transportation, social activities, food service, laundry, medication management, and more.

Many facilities offer different levels of care, from assisted living to skilled nursing to memory care. If residents’ health requirements change and they need more care, they can simply move to a different part of the facility. Avoiding a big move during a health crisis can mean less stress for everyone.

The conversation surrounding where someone would like to grow old is often challenging. It’s never too early to express your wishes! Ideally, every person should choose whether or not to age in place. If you are making decisions on behalf of a loved one, be sure to include them as much as possible. Most of us will be at this crossroads someday, and it’s important to approach it with patience and understanding.

Sources for this article included: nia.nih.gov, caring.com, aarp.org, and academic.oup.com.