Top Expert Tips for Aging In Place On Your Own
Your favorite chair. Your dishes. Your pets. The view out your window. It’s always easier to take your medications, relax, spend the holidays, and sleep — in your own space. But caring for ourselves in our homes as we age can feel incredibly challenging if we lack support from family or friends. At times, navigating the future can feel overwhelming, so it’s essential to put the proper support into place to safely live a healthy and comfortable life in your own home.
Multiple resources exist within your community to provide helpful information and compassionate support as you age in place – everything from local health care clinics, Meals on Wheels, and transportation services, to name a few.
Connect With Your Local Senior Center
A quick Google search of [your city] + senior service center will pull up a list of local organizations that typically offer an array of resources - a senior help hotline, local events geared toward seniors, and lists of accredited support systems, such as home health care providers or therapists. Often, these centers have a calendar with events to encourage seniors to be socially, physically, and financially engaged while working to maintain and support independence and dignity as you age.
Contact Your County’s Department of Social Services
Social Services provides a wide range of support for people of all ages, from cash aid to food stamps to job training. While each county across the United States differs in its offerings, most have programs or offer support to seniors and dependent adults who wish to remain safely in their homes. For example, California offers an In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program that provides support services so that low-income seniors can remain safely in their own homes and avoid costly nursing home care. While it may not be the support you currently need, in-home caregivers provide services that provide an array of support as you age and can be a great resource if you are struggling with your physical health.
Connect With A Trusted Local Home Health Care Provider
Home health care allows seniors and medically dependent individuals to live in their own homes with the assistance of a private care professional. Home health care aims to help seniors live independent, fuller lives and avoid the need for a nursing home. In-home care can involve various services from different types of health care professionals - from Registered Nurses to social workers to PTs/OTs - and can provide treatment for illnesses or injuries to help you recover, regain independence, and become as self-sufficient as possible.
Expert Tip: Quickly find Medicare-certified home health agencies in your area and compare them based on the quality of care they provide by searching on Medicare.gov.
Connect With Your Personal Network — church, friends, neighbors
We all have varying degrees of personal support and close relationships with family and friends in our lives - regardless of age. No matter how much support you have from your community, there is always room for growth and new connections. A community supporting you as you age is essential to your physical and mental health. Your city or local library likely offers social events and programs for people of all ages, which are great ways to connect with the community and make local connections.
Other significant sources of support can come from neighbors and your religious community, no matter how often you attend services. Connect with your church's leaders or administration team to see what services or events they may offer to support you or may provide opportunities to make new friendships.
Deciding to age in place is not a decision to take lightly; It requires a comprehensive and personalized plan that addresses all the potential challenges individuals might face as they age. By researching now and reaching out for guidance, you’re ensuring a safe and healthy future for yourself at home, no matter what your current support system may look like.
Looking For Additional Support?
At Universal Home Consultation, we understand the importance of aging in place and helping you feel safe, healthy, and connected at home. We offer virtual home safety assessments to help you identify potential safety risks and create a plan to address them.
We would be honored to partner with you as you design a life at home that feels comfortable and safe. If you want to learn more or schedule a consultation, please get in touch with us today.
At Universal Home Consulting, we understand the importance of aging in place and helping families feel confident that their loved ones can stay safe and healthy at home. We offer virtual home safety assessments to help families identify potential risks and create a plan to address them. We also provide caregiver coaching to provide education and support to help prevent injury and burnout.
