Importance of Planning For Aging

Very few individuals are completely prepared to age in place. Research shows that about 10% of people are fully prepared to age in place. 

Planning ahead for aging and aging in place is essential. Preparing to age in place before needing any of the modifications or changes to your daily habits can:
  • Reduce stress
  • Increase access to resources
  • Limit impact on mental/physical health
  • Inclusion of family and friends
  • Able to maintain goals and desired outcomes
  • Managing financial impact

Creating an Aging In Place Plan

It is important to begin planning early; however, this does not mean that you have to start making a change to your lifestyle or home. Rather this plan is created so that you can refer to it as you or your loved one needs it. 
  • A great resource to utilize while you are creating your aging-in-place plan is from New River Valley Agency. This tool walks through the steps of aging in place.
  • https://www.nrvaoa.org/aging-in-place/assets/documents/aging-in-place-workbook-final.pdf 
Begin Planning Early
  • Don’t wait until you need to make changes urgently. Waiting can a lack of accessibility to resources, increase financial impact, and increase stress. 
  • It is important to have the plan to avoid a crisis. 
Create a Plan
  • When creating a plan you will want to think about:
  • Your goals for the future (what would you like to be able to do)
  • Your possible future needs (what could you expect that you or your loved one will need assistance with in the future)
  • Your plan to achieve your goals (what lifestyle or home modifications could you change)
Reassess Your Plan
  • It is important to reassess and modify your plan as your or your loved one's needs change. 
  • Your plan may remain the same as your previous plan may be able to support this change.
Next Page → Home Modifications

References:

Frechman, E., Dietrich, M. S., Buck, H. G., Rhoten, B. A., & Maxwell, C. A. (2022). PLAN: Preparing and living for aging now; A descriptive study investigating older adults’ readiness to plan for aging and frailty. Geriatric Nursing, 47, 164–170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2022.07.008 


Ratnayake, M., Lukas, S., Brathwaite, S., Neave, J., Henry, H., & BS-c. (2022). Aging in place: Are we prepared?. Delaware Journal of Public Health, 8(3), 28–31. https://doi.org/10.32481/djph.2022.08.007 



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