Is aging in place the right choice for every senior?
According to AARP, about 90 percent of seniors want to live at home as long as they can, and with the right support system in place, it’s possible. While this option is not for every senior as physical or mental health can be limiting enough to make it impractical, seniors who are able to age in place can maintain a great deal of their independence.
Aging in place requires a robust support network to be successful. This may include family and friends, along with professional at-home caregivers specialized in senior care. With a support network in place, your loved ones can safely remain in familiar surroundings.
What challenges face seniors who are aging in place?
Washing dishes, doing the laundry and handling the yard are tasks that can become obstacles for seniors. Physical limitations can make it difficult, if not impossible, for seniors to handle day to day chores and home maintenance. Seniors aging in place, and their families, will need to consider the following:
Emergency care
If there is an emergency, who will be there to help provide it? Will your loved one have someone they can contact at all times? Will someone be around to provide transportation to the hospital, if needed?
Personal care
Personal care, like bathing and getting dressed, can also become a challenge as we age. Many seniors find it difficult to ask for help with personal care, but it’s often a matter of safety, and trained caregivers can provide it discreetly.
Ongoing medical care
Some seniors only need to be reminded to take their medication. Others need regular assistance with maintaining medical conditions like diabetes or respiratory disease. Without the proper nursing experience on hand, managing chronic health conditions can be difficult.
Mobility
Getting around the house isn’t a problem for every senior, but for some it’s the greatest issue they face when aging at home. Lack of mobility is especially problematic in larger homes or homes with stairs, and can lead to injury if not addressed.
Meal preparation
Poor nutrition can be a problem among the elderly. For many seniors, low energy and limited access to the grocery store are major issues, leading to less frequent and less healthy meals. Meal preparation is an often-overlooked part of the aging process as making healthy, nourishing meals takes time and effort.
Errands and transportation
Seniors still have errands to run but getting around to them is difficult for many. Help with transportation and time management are essential for seniors aging in place.
Socializing and companionship
Loneliness is a common problem among seniors, and according to a 2018 Cigna survey, nearly half of seniors reported feeling lonely sometimes or always. Finding companionship is a tough challenge to solve for seniors who cannot always travel to see family or find opportunities to meet new people.
Aging at home has its challenges, but fortunately, they can be solved with professional at-home caregivers, like those available through The Senior Estate Concierge.
How can Senior Estate Concierge assist seniors who are aging in place?
Senior Estate Concierge can help seniors and their families overcome the challenges with aging in place. Loved ones are taken care of and families have peace of mind knowing that even when they can’t be there, someone will be. Here’s how we can help:
Provide companionship or personal care
Senior Concierge Services has a team of experienced, compassionate caregivers on hand, able to provide personal care and in-home companion care. If your loved one desires independence but has trouble taking care of some basic needs, our caregivers can provide dignified, discreet assistance.
In-home companion care may seem simple – a game of cards, reading aloud or just a conversation – but it can keep your loved one’s mind active and their spirits high.
Provide medical alert monitoring
Medical alerts are a popular, technology-based solution to keeping your loved ones safe while alone at home. Medical alert devices allow seniors to remotely contact someone for assistance should they experience a fall or otherwise be unable to reach a phone. These devices often come with fall detection, so they activate even if they aren’t manually triggered. Senior Estate Concierge can help families pick the right system for seniors and their families, and ensure they are utilized properly.
Provide skilled nursing
Senior Estate Concierge also has skilled, licensed nurses on hand to provide medical care. If your loved one has chronic health issues or a recent injury, a skilled nurse will ensure their health is closely monitored and protected. Our at-home nurses are certified through state-approved accreditation programs, so they are familiar with the health issues that most often affect seniors.
Help with mobility and accessibility
Senior Concierge Services can help your loved one around their home and while in public, so they don’t have to worry about falling. We can also help with mobility equipment, including wheelchairs, walkers and mobility scooters.
Help with meal planning and preparation
We can deliver meals to seniors and assist with meal preparation. This will help your loved one stay on a consistent eating schedule and ensure they get the nutrition they need.
Help with home maintenance
Home maintenance is difficult to keep up with for seniors, but we can help. Senior Estate Concierge can help arrange maintenance services if needed, so your loved one doesn’t have to keep up with the home on their own.
Help with errands and transportation
Our caregivers can also help with errands and provide transportation to get around. If a specialized vehicle is needed to help your loved one get in and out, we can provide that as well.
Eventually, most seniors must determine whether they will age in place or move somewhere else. If aging in place is what your family and loved one decide, Senior Estate Concierge can support your loved one with companion care, personal care or skilled, in-home nursing. Together, we can provide the kind of support system that seniors need for independent, aging-at-home living.
