“Aging in place” is a term used to describe the process by which adults age in their own homes rather than moving into assisted elder care facilities.
Aging itself is a challenge to which different individuals respond differently. That much is not surprising. But it is also the case that there are many benefits to aging in place, and things you can do to support it, whether you are a child, caregiver, or just someone interested in the well-being of a friend or loved one.
Here’s what to know, from a high level.
Why Aging in Place Is Important
As many as 90% of elders would prefer to grow older in their own homes. You don’t need to think too hard about why. Moving is stressful when you’re young, and only becomes more challenging as you age.
On top of that, aging in place encourages a higher quality of life, respects the individual’s dignity, promotes autonomy, and can uphold a higher standard of living as well as satisfaction.
These are only a few of the main reasons why aging in place can be beneficial to elders who have the means to do so.
So, what are some of the things you can do to put a plan into action?
How to Help Promote Aging in Place? An Aging in Place Checklist
While it can be intimidating to square with the realities of aging parents (or other loved ones) getting started is the first step.
Here are some things you can do. Consider it an aging in place checklist.
● Think ahead
The first thing to do is not to put it off. You’ll want to plan ahead for aging in place before the individual(s) in question are actually at the point where you need to make changes to their living arrangements. It’s always better to get ahead than to play catch up.
Start thinking years ahead if possible - before retirement. Consider living conditions, location, and other needs, and make any moves ahead of time rather than trying to sell and relocate in a hurry.
● Run a safety check of the home
Once living arrangements are settled, you can conduct a home safety check of the house or apartment to eliminate any obstacles or unnecessary risks.
There are multiple things you can do to make sure that a home is safer and has the necessities in place to promote safety. Some of these will be elaborated further below, but some of them are to:
- Remove trip hazards like electrical wires
- Remove area rugs
- Install grab bars
- Replace door knobs with lever handles
- Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are operational
- Clean out, rearrange, and restock medicine cabinets
- Add handrails to the stairs
- And update lighting (see below)
Now let’s talk about some concrete steps you can take.
● Remove obstacles
An elder’s home should be rid of as many trip hazards and obstacles as possible. As already stated, area rugs should be removed (or secured, if removal is not practical), as should all electrical cords.
Clutter should be eliminated, and nothing stored on the ground, or low to it. Low furniture should be removed and replaced with furniture that doesn’t require any stooping or reaching. Wooden stairs should be updated with non-slip grip pads.
Grab bars and railings should be installed around the home anywhere there are stairs, as well as in the bathroom or around other tiled surfaces. In fact, tiled surfaces should be eliminated anywhere practical because they are slippery when wet.
● Improve lighting
Any incandescent or compact fluorescent lighting in the home should be removed with LED lighting. LEDs are more energy efficient, but the real reason is that they will last longer and so need to be replaced less frequently.
Stairways and hallways would be well-illuminated, as well - also, nightlights should be installed in all rooms and hallways.
● Boost bathroom safety with an elder shower chair. Small shower stools like those in our Refine line can help prevent slips and falls in the shower, as they are stable, comfortable, affordable, and practical. They also help eliminate straining, reaching, and bending down, all of which can be dangerous for elders.
● Consider a transfer bench as an alternative. These devices sit on sliding rails and make it easier (and safer) for those with limited mobility to get in and out of the shower or tub. They feature grab bars as a part of their design and can be used alone or with assistance. We also feature three designs that are compatible with a variety of different bathroom layouts.
Most falls in the home occur in the bathroom, and falls in the bathroom are among the most dangerous of all that occur domestically. The wet conditions and slick surfaces prevalent in bathrooms compound this issue, and are responsible for it.
It can be cost-prohibitive to remodel or renovate a bathroom, whereas by contrast is it much more effective to install an elder shower chair. One of the models in our ShowerGlyde series would be perfect for such an application, restoring autonomy to elders using the shower, and minimizing the risk of slipping and falling at the same time.
● Eliminate steps, install ramps where possible
At a certain point, it might become necessary for an elder to move into a home that does not have stairs, but this is an extreme situation. It’s much more practical to bypass steps using a ramp - such as at front and back doors. There is less of a risk of falling on a ramp than on stairs, making the investment, like an elder shower chair, typically worthwhile.
● Talk transportation
While aging in place may be practical, local transportation can become a much more difficult, and much more challenging, prospect. You’ll want to talk over needs with the individual in question, and coordinate a way to get him or her to and from doctor’s appointments, grocery stores, and other public places, especially if he or she can no longer drive.
● Embrace technology
Some elders resist the adoption of new technology, but for elders aging in place it’s good to try to overcome that antipathy. This is particularly true with respect to smart home systems that can make it easier to adjust the temperature, lighting, and more without needing to get up and go to a light switch or thermostat.
But, more importantly, embrace technology in the form of medical alert systems that can be worn on the neck or wrist. These devices, which can be activated in the event of a fall or other emergency, can help prevent misfortunes by ensuring help is always a short call away.
● Consider in-home care services
The last thing to consider are in-home care services. While they can be cost-prohibitive, they are often more affordable than a move to an elder care facility, and moreover, are far less invasive and disruptive to the individual’s lifestyle.
Don’t Put It Off: Caring for the Elderly at Home Starts Now
This is just a short guide, but the advice included herein can help you plan for the future, and it’s best to get started sooner rather than later. That way, you’ll have a plan in place and be able to make changes if it becomes necessary to do so.
Regardless of which of these steps you take, encouraging an aging loved one to age in place, and making it possible for him or her (or them) to do so is a way to support their dignity and improve their quality of life well into the “Golden Years.”
