Successfully aging in place requires careful planning, home modifications, and lining up support systems like those offered through CoAction.
Nearly nine out of 10 older adults want to live in their own homes for as long as possible. This was a finding from a national poll conducted by the University of Michigan’s Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation and sponsored by AARP.
Why we want to age well at home
For many of us, home is where we’re comfortable. It’s where we’re independent and in control. It’s where we enjoy friends and neighbors close by. It’s where we carry important memories. It may be where we enjoy some of our favorite hobbies or activities. For some, it’s the hub of family life.
Aging at home – essentials
But what does it take to be able to age well at home? “Living at home as you age requires careful consideration and planning,” suggests the National Institute on Aging. The above poll found that only 15% of adults had given a lot of consideration to the home modifications needed to continue living at home; and just 19% felt confident that they could afford to hire help if needed, says AARP.
There are many steps you can take to help yourself or a loved one thrive at home for as long as possible. Here are some ideas:
Plan ahead
“The best time to think about how to age in place is before you need a lot of care,” advises the National Institute on Aging. Jen Trowbridge, President & CEO of CoAction, agrees. She advises that if you or a family member is facing health conditions or disabilities that may require home supports in the future, “Make the call to CoAction now” so that any help you may need is ready.
It can be difficult to have these family conversations, she says. But it’s important to be prepared and allow for lead time. Lining up any needed supports can make it possible to thrive at home.
Tap into your Area Agency on Aging
CoAction is the Area Agency on Aging for Northwest Indiana. In Indiana, there are 16 Area Agencies on Aging. As established by the Older Americans Act, these agencies provide case management and referrals to various services for persons who are aging or developmentally disabled in assigned service areas. To receive many of the benefits available to older adults, the first step is contacting your local Area Agency on Aging, explains Trowbridge.
A care manager can then help create an individual plan to help you live independently. The team determines the best combination of services, such as home-delivered meals, home modifications, or arranging a home health aide.
In a program called Structured Family Caregiving, CoAction may be able to provide some financial support to a family member who gives up paid work to become a caregiver for an older adult.
The time to explore support resources is before you actually need them. “Timing is crucial,” Trowbridge notes, because some benefits processed through the state can take 60-90 days to start up. Currently, the state has a wait list in place, she adds.
Line up supports
For many adults, a combination of any needed supports may come from family, friends, and neighbors, says the National Institute on Aging (NIA). “It can also be supplemented by formal caregivers and community services,” they add.
The types of supports needed may include help with bathing, dressing, using the toilet, eating, or moving around, says the NIA—all types of personal care.
Other supports may include: housecleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, transportation, and home-delivered meals.
For some adults, home health care services are needed for managing medications or caring for medical conditions, says NIA. You may need short-term nursing care at home when recovering from a surgery or medical procedure.
Adult day care services are another form of support. They can provide a supportive environment and companionship for an older adult. Various levels of health support may also be available, depending on the program. Sometimes, adult day care is an alternative to institutional care and a help for family caregivers.
Make your home more accessible
Over time, you may choose to make some changes to your home “Evaluate your living space to see if it’s ready to age gracefully along with you,” suggests AARP. Think about what may become challenging for you—like staying safe in the shower or going up and down stairs, they say.
Making small changes over time can be a way to make your home safe and accessible without overwhelming yourself, they say. Some changes can make it easier for you to manage personal care, even if you find it harder to move around safely. For example, you can install grab bars on the shower wall and near the toilet, move a bedroom downstairs, or “purchase a lift chair — similar to a recliner — that you can electronically control for safe sitting and standing,” says AARP. For more ideas, check out the AARP checklist.
For adults who use a wheelchair, an entrance to the house can be modified to use a ramp. Other changes, like a taller toilet, can also improve a person’s ability to function independently.
Make your home safer
For anyone aging at home, safety is important. The risk of having a fall rises for many of us as the body ages. In fact, one in four older adults has a fall every year (CDC). Difficulty walking, vision problems, medications, or low blood pressure when standing up can all place you at a risk for falling.
One step many people take is removing any clutter and extra furniture in the house to make clear, safe walkways. Other steps: ensure good lighting; use night lights; remove any throw rugs; install nonskid adhesive strips or decals on shower and bathroom floors; make sure there are handrails on stairways.
In the kitchen, automatic shut-off features on a stove can help prevent fires, says NIA. They provide a complete home safety checklist you can review to find ideas that fit your needs.
Home: what matters
Aging at home can allow families to stay together, says Trowbridge—and that matters deeply to many of us. “A lot of people have been in their homes so long, they don’t want to leave,” she says. CoAction receives calls from families with questions such as:
- Am I safe at home? (Or is my family member safe while I go to work?)
- How can I make my home safe when coming home from the hospital? (it’s best to have planned this far ahead.)
- Where can I get help managing things at home?
The forms of support that allow us to age well at home are unique to each of us. Needs may change over time. Planning ahead and reaching out to your Area Agency on Aging are great first steps.