Posted: September 18, 2020
By: Julie Crozier, Business Development Marketing Manager
As your parents age, it is common for friends and family to encourage them to think about moving into a senior living community to get the extra care they need. However, most seniors do not want to leave the home they have lived in for so many years.
According to a survey by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), more than three-quarters of Americans age 50 or older want to stay in their own home for as long as possible, even if they will need assistance.
Allowing elderly parents to grow older at home has many benefits. Seniors are able to:
Before making any decisions, it is useful to consider how much help is needed, and what is available. It is important to be realistic regarding how much help family and friends can provide on a long-term basis. Making a list of specific care needs by day, week, and month will help determine the amount of care needed. Learn more about what to consider when choosing home care services.
In many cases aging in place costs less than a move to a senior living community. With customized are plans from a home care company, families can avoid care giver burnout and know their loved one is receiving the support they need.
Is your loved one experiencing memory loss? Some people believe that if their loved one is experiencing dementia or has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s that their only alternative is for them to move to a memory support community. However, this is not always the case. The familiarity of surroundings and general routine can be beneficial for those living with memory loss. A qualified care partner who has been trained in the area of memory loss can help your loved one age in place. With Rhythms Home Care memory support services, we focus on the strengths of each individual living with dementia rather than their deficiencies.
We consider family members as those living with dementia as well, because we know it is a “whole community” disease. Rhythms ensures every team member learns that dementia is a shift in the way a person experiences the world around him/her. Our job is to create environments where each person can navigate the world successfully and create worlds where life is worth living.
Make sure your family member can age in place safely. Do any modifications need to be made to reduce the risk of falls? Do the door handles and faucets need to be replaced for ease of use? Modern technology, such as medical alert systems, should be considered as well. These important changes can help increase the level of independence and safety for older adults wanting to age in place. Consider these tips from the National Institute on Aging on making an older adult’s home safe and accessible.
Aging in place is a good choice for people who are proactive and want to be involved in the decisions regarding their future. Having a support network of friends and family that value this decision making process with the older adult involved will assure great success. Aging in place has many benefits, the most important being the ability to live in safety, comfort, and dignity in a person’s later years.
Is home care right for me? Take this online assessment for helpful information.
Rhythms is here to help you navigate through this life change. Download our free guide on having the conversation about home care, and contact us to learn more about how we can support you and your family.
© 2023 Rhythms Home Care
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