Aging In Place

Staying in the neighborhood, and keeping close to family, friends, and neighbors could offer vital stimulation that contributes to a longer life. The art of successful Aging inPlace is a balance between the increasing needs of the older adult, with the right combination of housing modification options, care giving, behavioral adaptations, and assistive technologies. Aging in in Place can provide the kind of daily comforts and familiarity not offered by Senior housing.

Aging in place actually helps support a healthy aging brain. Performing activities such as house cleaning, maintenance, and laundry; gardening; riding the bus or driving; negotiating for goods and services; paying bills; caring for pets; using computers; even shopping all promote independence and preserve physical and mental functioning. These traditional day-to-day chores of home ownership may actually stimulate learning and memory.

Pride of Ownership, A home provides a social center for family and friends to gather and to remain rooted in a community.

Home is a place for your loved ones to feel safe and have the ability to control and enjoy their experiences. Consider these possibilities to make the house accessible and safe for an aging parent to continue to live in the home.

• A level entry, and open plan, provides clear floor space for easier maneuvering. Ramps from garage to the kitchen to make transport of groceries easier,
• Create the ability to live on one floor. Reinterpret a floorplan to include a master suite on the main floor. Additional levels can becomes quarters for guests, caregivers, or other flexible space.
• In the kitchen and bath, consider fewer wall cabinets for storage within easy reach. Install appliances at comfortable heights to benefit a standing person who would choose not to bend. Drawers help in bringing things closer without straining. Easy maintenance is a top priority.
• Install doors that fold to the side, swing up, or recess in — getting them out of the way for easier access.
• In the bath, install no-threshold showers with open entries, toilets with right-height seats, safety grab bars, a seated vanity area with open knee space.

“We invest time with the family to be there during the transition. In most instances our goal is to help the family member age in place. Whether it’s a week a month, or a year, we get involved.” –Brian Ades, SRES Trust and Estates Specialist