Aging In Place

What Is Aging In Place?

This term refers to:
“The ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). 

Similarly, there is a term you may hear called aging in place of choice. This term is similar to aging in place but they are different from each over as aging in place of choice means that you and your loved one get to choose where you would like to age.

  • It is important to realize that it is not everyone's choice to remain in their home as long as possible. 
  • Some individuals choose to have additional support by living in a community setting such as living with family/friends, retirement community, independent living, or assisted living. 
  • Many aspects of aging in place are important for individuals that are choosing to age in the place of their choice. If you feel that independent or assisted living is right for you or your loved one, you will want to ensure that the place is equipped to fit your needs.

Aspects to Consider if You Would Like to Age In Place

There are several aspects to consider when determining the best place to age in place and what planning needs to occur so that your choice in place is attainable:
  • Grooming & Dressing Care: e.g., does anyone need help with this task, is standing in the shower getting difficult, is getting off the toilet difficult
  • Household Chores: e.g., cleaning, laundry, lawn management, snow management
  • Cooking
  • Accessibility of Your Community: e.g., getting to the grocery store, pharmacy, doctors’ clinic
  • Finance Management: e.g., paying bills on time, filling out insurance forms
  • Transportation: e.g., is someone still able to drive, if not are there transportation options available such as public or close family/friends
  • Health Care Management: e.g., is everyone able to manage their health through taking medication properly and monitoring condition symptoms
  • Home Management: e.g., are you able to repair/replace important home structures (furnace, water heater, roof, appliances) or can you hire someone
  • Accessibility/Safety of Your Home: are you able to safely move around your home? Does your home have a lot of stairs? Are there small rooms that make it hard to turn around? 

Aging in Place Network

There are several individuals that can help you create a plan that will allow you and your loved one to age in place, including:
  • Family
  • Friends
  • Home Care
  • Nurses
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Physical Therapists
  • Community Businesses (grocery stores, delivery services, lawn care services, housekeepers


References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Healthy places terminology. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyplaces/terminology.htm

Lim, W., M., & Bowman, C. (2022). Aging in a place of choice. Activities, Adaptation & Aging. 46(3), 183-189.

https://doi.org/10.1080/01924788.2022.2097806  


National Institute on Aging. (n.d.). Aging in place: Growing older at home. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/aging-place-growing-older-home 


 


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