Common Issues Seniors Face Aging in Place
These are common issues for seniors. You may say-“I just want to stay in my own home!” With the right help you will be able to do just that. Staying in your own home as you get older is called “aging in place.” You want to live independently. You want the freedom to make the decisions. You want the independence to determine your future. With the right advice you and or your family can discuss any obstacle hindering that from occurring and come up with a plan, a well thought out and calculated plan that offers direction and guidance as you live our your golden years in the comfort of your own home.
Big Question?
Will you need to make changes to your present status or environment? Probably, but until a full-scale plan is presented that covers all aspects of staying in your home as you age you cannot make a honest decision that’s right for you.
Planning to Age in Place
Planning is hard because your needs may change. The situation will direct the plan and the plan must retain an element of flexibility. The plan cannot be restrictive, written in stone. Why? Because situations will occur that require a different approach to obtain the same results. Think about the kind of help you need now or might soon need. Maybe you live alone, so there is no one living in your home who is available to help you. Maybe you have some support but its infrequent or not as frequent as you need.
Develop a Plan
The most realistic way to develop a plan is to base it off current needs. The 1st area to consider is medical. Your medical condition will drive the bulk of the decision to be made. Your health and ability to care for yourself with or without assistance is first and foremost a primary concern as you age in place.
What Support Can I Get at Home?
The 2nd area, is care in your home is a fee for service? Any care you want can be arranged. It comes with a cost. That said, your in-home care may be minimal and will probably far less than care you would receive in any care facility and be managed according to your request’s versus standardized care. We need to define the care and type of care to determine necessity. A needs assessment is completed. This assessment will assist us as we make recommendations and seek out appropriate providers and associated costs.
Personal care, bathing, washing your hair, dressing, toileting, getting around the home are what is called activities of daily living. You can pay for assistance in these areas for a determined period. That period is defined through a contractual agreement with those care providers performing the service.
Household chores, housecleaning, yard work, grocery shopping, or laundry. Maybe meal preparation or home organization is required. These too can be provided as a fee for service. They are less frequent and do not demand daily occurrence. These are also contracted and utilized generally on-call or as needed.
Nutrition Management
Meals, preparation, and ease of access as well as being nutritionally balanced is important for proper health. Quick foods that are convenience packed are not recommended. Nutritious meals planned in accordance your preferences in mind can be prepared in advance, stored, frozen, packaged and placed so each meal is identified by day for ease of use.
Financial Considerations
A review of your financial health is just as important and your physical health. Over time priorities of life change and one area that gets less consideration due to priorities is paying bills or not at all? Unless you are a contract attorney the notices that come in the mail are confusing and seem to change frequently. The changing times drive new and innovative financial applications. Online bill-pay services have taken the place of paying by check. Yes, you can still mail in a check to many vendors, but some now require electronic and reoccurring payments.
There are options and most financial institutions can assist in setting up so your regular monthly bills are auto through checking or savings accounts.
Be Aware of Scammers
People take advantage of those who are vulnerable. Here are a few areas to be aware of to minimize being scammed or taken advantage of as you age in place.
1. Never give your Social Security number, bank or credit card numbers, or other sensitive information to someone on the phone that called you.
2. Check all bills, or charges you do not recognize. Review your statements thoroughly for discrepancies.
3. If you do not recognize the caller on caller ID on your phone let it go to voice mail. You can always call them back. This eliminates any pressure or sales tactics that ask for payment.
An Area Worth Considering
Consider allowing someone you trust permission to discuss your bills with creditors or your Social Security or Medicare benefits. This trust factor is important. As you age you need support. Find someone you trust to assist you as you plan your next steps in aging in place.
ADR Consulting & Support Services is your trusted advisor who will walk with you and plan your tomorrow, today. Reach out and allow us to share with you how you can successfully age in place in the comfort of your own home.