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Aging in place is increasing in popularity – three of four adults prefer to age in place (remain in the comfort of their own home through their golden years). However, before the plans to age in place are set in stone, it’s important to assess multiple areas of their lives including their health, mobility, their home’s accessibility, and the tools they may need now or in the future to ensure their safety years from now.
This is a sensitive subject for many, so it’s important to make time for a few discussions with your loved ones to determine their needs and if aging in place is possible. But how?
Familiarize Yourself with Elder Care Planning
What is elder care and why is it important? These plans focus on long-term life planning to protect family income and assets to help use other resources while your loved one is still living – this can be viewed as the opposite of estate planning.
In other words, this is a plan that should consider all parties involved in your aging parents’ care including caregivers, other relatives, and health care professionals. Unfortunately, as important as this step is, it’s often overlooked and results in important decisions being made spontaneously.
While talking to your parents about their finances and health can be difficult, overwhelming, and sensitive, starting the conversation with short, one-on-one discussions may be more helpful than ripping off the proverbial Band-Aid with a large family meeting. Starting slowly can also lead to other important topics such as where they would like to live in their later years – if aging in place is a viable option, or if assisted living facilities might be more beneficial.
Every family’s situation is different and while less-than-perfect health doesn’t determine the need for assisted living, a combination of factors need to be considered and planned for. Factors that might sway the final decision include but are not limited to:
- Health
- Mobility
- Home accessibility and potential modifications
- Finances
Identify Any Necessary Home Modifications
According to a recent AARP survey, “one third expect their homes to need major modification needs to accommodate aging needs.” To accurately identify what might be needed for your loved one to remain at home as they age, you may want to consider speaking with either a physical or occupational therapist or work with a home accessibility expert. Having a professional eye assess the home will not only allow for fresh eyes on their current living situation, but they’ll also know what to look for and what might be needed to help improve home accessibility for current and future needs. Examples of home accessibility devices they may recommend include:
- Ramps (threshold or elevation)
- Platform lifts for porch, deck, or garage entry
- Stairlifts
Helpful Resources to Help Get You Started
It’s important to remember that you are not in this alone and there are many resources and professionals who are prepared to help you make these discussions, plans, and potential transitions go as smoothly as possible.
- If you’re having the home evaluated by a physical therapist, this is what you can expect.
- If you’re planning to modify the home for optimal accessibility, you may want to learn more about what to ask an accessibility expert and dealer.
- If you have a loved one coming home from the hospital or a rehab facility, you may want to check out this article about what you can expect and how to best prepare.
- Five helpful questions to ask your parents about aging in place can be found here.
- Read more about how to prepare elder care plans here!
- If you and your parents feel it may be best to move them into your home, consider these six tips before making the final decision.
This article and images provided by Harmar.
