“Aging in place” is a term that’s being used more often as older adults are expressing the desire to remain in the familiar comforts of home rather than move to a nursing home or assisted living facility. The term is generally used to describe household modifications and support services that allow seniors to live in their homes for as long as possible. While aging in place is often associated with the physical changes made to a home to ensure a senior’s safety, the opportunity to age in place can provide enormous benefits beyond physical needs. These benefits can include but are not limited to the following.
Comfort
Remaining at home is often the most comfortable option for seniors. They’re in a familiar environment surrounded by their own personal belongings, allowing them to feel safe and secure. Aging in place also allows seniors to avoid the trauma of having to relocate and the feeling that their belongings—and in some cases, their freedom—are being “taken away.” Additional support services such as in-home care can be utilized for meal preparation, medication reminders, transportation, and more. With the support of a reliable caregiver, your senior loved one can enjoy maximum comfort at home.
Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of in-home care. You can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide an individualized care plan to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.
Independence
Being able to age in place gives seniors the opportunity to maintain as much independence as possible. They can continue with their regular routines, frequenting their local grocery stores, attending Sunday services at their churches, and meeting with friends in their neighborhoods. The ability to continue living at home gives seniors a sense of control as they enter their golden years and also promotes feelings of independence.
Living independently is important for seniors who want to maintain a high quality of life. For some, this simply means receiving help with tasks that have become more challenging to manage over time. Even when families have the best intentions, they may not have the time to provide the care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. If your loved one needs help for a few hours a day or a few days a week, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of respite care Richmond seniors can depend on.
Mental Health
Our surroundings can influence how we feel mentally. Seniors who are able to continue living in environments they’re comfortable in can remain in good spirits. These mental health factors play a large role in combating common senior conditions such as depression and inactivity. For seniors and families who are concerned about isolation and loneliness, support services such as companionship care can be utilized on an hourly basis. Caregiver companions are available for a variety of stimulating and productive activities that can make a big difference in your loved one’s outlook and quality of life.
If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of Richmond home care service. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping. To schedule a free in-home consultation, give us a call at (804) 207-4746 today.