How to Know if Aging at Home is Right for Your Loved Ones

As home care continues to grow in popularity, many may find themselves asking “Is aging in place right for myself and/or my loved ones?” When the difficult decision is made that our loved ones can no longer live independently, a lot of changes occur. Many of these changes are difficult for our loved ones to accept, so being able to stay in their own homes may make the transition easier. However, that is not always possible.
 
Elder Law Answers explains what it means to age in place and what is needed to be able to do it successfully. It is imperative to think about your loved one’s physical, emotional, and social well-being when deciding on where they should spend the rest of their lives.
 
Things to consider when choosing to age in place include:

• Resources to manage chronic diseases
• Support for eating a nutritious diet
• Support for mobility: e.g., handrails, temporary ramps, assistive seating
• Mental health, substance abuse, and memory care services: i.e., preventive care
• Social connection: many older adults are likely to live alone and may benefit from activities to interact with others in the same stage of life
• Monitoring devices 

 
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines aging in place as a senior’s “ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level.” Many older adults can remain living in their homes with the help of caregivers or live-in aides.
 
Professional caregivers can assist older adults with completing activities of daily living such as bathing, toileting, dressing, meal preparation, mobility, and engagement. Aging in place is still possible for those who can no longer live by themselves but want to remain in their home.
 
As we’ve seen in previous blog posts, home care continues to be what older adults tend to want the most. “According to 2021 data from AARP, more than three-quarters of adults 50 and older say they would prefer to age in place.” Aging in place also comes with numerous benefits including being familiar with surroundings and feeling safe.
 
Danae King of The Columbus Dispatch explains how a new service called NaviGuide, can help older adults and their families navigate the services they need and want to help older adults stay in their homes.
 
“NaviGuide launched a year ago and matches adult children and their aging parents with a service coordinator who will then come to their home for a visit and home assessment, or meet with them via a video call. During the first visit, service coordinators determine the needs and wants of the older adult and then work to find those services within the community and determine eligibility, financial burden and more,” explains King.

The purpose of NaviGuide is to provide knowledge and support for older adults and their families as they transition to having care. There is no eligibility requirement for NaviGuide, making it more accessible to those who may need it. However, there is a $99 monthly membership fee. 

If you want to learn more about NaviGuide you can visit the website here.

If you have any questions about home care for your loved ones, you can contact us. You can also check out the rest of our blog posts on our website.

​Written by Madison Chalmers

Image by Freepik