The decision to age in place or enter a care
facility is a deeply personal one, and a decision most seniors would prefer not
to make. Unfortunately, a lack of preparation leads many elderly people to end
up in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or continuing care retirement
home when they become ill or injured. However, with some planning, many seniors
can remain in their homes and enjoy the multitude of benefits that aging in
place can bring.
Big Savings
The cost of living in a nursing home is high and
rising. In 2013, a private room averaged $1,995 per month, or more than
$23,000 annually; if you are in a larger city such as Ontario, you can
expect to pay a minimum of $1,819.53 per month (for basic accommodation), or close to $22,000 annually (based on rates as of July 2017). The current ceiling cost for a private bed in a newer long-term care home is $2,599.11 per month or close to $32,000.00 per year. Pair the cost
with the fact that seniors now outnumber children, and the
reality is that demand increasing at a much larger rate than supply. With some
seniors remaining on waiting lists for years or more, the option to age in
place becomes one that should be seriously considered in order to provide
seniors with the immediate care they need.
Retained Independence
Staying independent is a big motivator for
many seniors who wish to age in place. A senior who is accustomed to following
her own schedule may experience significant emotional blowback when forced into
the regimented meal times and social activities of a care facility. Maintaining
a sense of autonomy can keep the elderly active and energized well into their
twilight years.
A Familiar Environment
Seniors who have to move into a care facility
must part with most of their possessions in order to adapt to a smaller living
space. This can be upsetting for older people who have spent many years in
their home, and may disorient seniors experiencing cognitive decline.
Community Connections
One of the greatest benefits of aging in place
is being able to stay in a beloved community. Social isolation is one of the biggest threats
to senior well-being, and has been correlated with depression, cognitive decline, and repeated
hospitalizations. When senior citizens age within their community, they retain
access to existing social networks and support systems.
Aging at home also means that seniors are free
to have visitors at their own discretion. Care facilities, on the other hand,
often limit the hours that residents can have visitors as well as how long
visitors can stay.
Cherished Companions
Pets offer valuable companionship to seniors,
especially those who live alone, as they help keep them active and can even
reduce depression. While some assisted living and
continuing care retirement communities may allow small pets, most nursing homes
do not. Having to part with a cherished pet can be emotionally devastating for
older people and contribute to isolation and depression.
Reduced Illness Risk
Care facilities inevitably expose seniors to
germs and illnesses not encountered at home. And since
immune systems weaken with age, the elderly are more likely to face permanent
disability or death from an infection or illness. While care facilities have
on-site staff to deal with sickness, staff members may not necessarily be
licensed nurses, and low staffing levels can lead to inadequate care. When a
senior ages in place, home health aides can be brought into the home to provide
one-on-one assistance in times of illness or disability.
While aging comes with a number of challenges,
losing independence doesn’t have to be one of them. Many nursing home residents
could be aging in place if only they had adequate supports at home and in the
community. With proper planning, an accessible home, and health and social
support networks, seniors can stay safe and comfortable in their homes longer
than ever.
Marie Villeza is passionate about connecting seniors with
the resources they need to live happy, healthy lives. So she developed
ElderImpact to provide seniors and their caregivers with resources and advice.
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