Senior Care Solutions: The Benefits Of Aging In Place

When it comes to caring for an aging loved one, there's more than one avenue to investigate. And even though a retirement home might be the first solution that comes to mind, senior care facilities can be pretty expensive. Not just that, quality of life and comfort are also common concerns. Retirement homes simply can't provide seniors with a comfortable home-like environment. Instead, these facilities typically offer single en-suite rooms for residents. The main perk of this option is the round-the-clock care from the staff. 

On the other hand, aging in place is also an option. With this avenue, seniors can age comfortably at home without having to uproot their lives at all. Even though aging in place might be an increasingly popular senior care solution because it's the more affordable route, there are also several other benefits associated with the decision to grow old at home.

So, if you're tasked with making a decision for a senior loved one in terms of their care as they age, we've listed the significant benefits of aging in place. 

Technology Can Secure A Home Environment

The main concern for many families when it comes to the option of aging in place is the risk of leaving a frail elderly loved one on their own. This is a relevant concern with senior care, as seniors become more fragile over time and more prone to accidental injury and the onset of particular physical and mental conditions as a result. 

Because we become more prone to ailments as we enter the later stage of retirement, extra care is almost always eventually essential for quality of life. 

Fortunately, with the help of tech advancements, aging in place has become a safe care solution. By implementing tech solutions like the best medical alert systems, home monitoring, and home automation, aging in place is both a safe and practical solution.  

While wearable devices and monitoring will keep a watchful eye over your senior loved ones, home automation will enhance environment accessibility by making everyday tasks easier. 

Reduced Risk Of Depression

Seniors who move to retirement homes and other care facilities are typically more likely to develop depression. Unfortunately, this risk results from the emotions that go along with aging past the point of complete independence. Beyond the emotions, losing routine, friends, a familiar environment, and a whole community can be a lot for anyone to take in; moving to a retirement home is a massive life change. And the adjustment period can be overwhelming on the emotions. 

But when it comes to the option of aging in place, seniors are at a lower risk because they avoid the massive life change of moving and leaving everything behind. The only real changes will be modifications to the home environment and the eventual potential need for a live-in caregiver. So, mental wellbeing is upheld with the option of aging at home. 

It's Affordable For Families

One prevalent concern for families is the cost of senior care. It's no secret that retirement homes are expensive, and not everyone has the finances to accommodate such a high extra cost. 

Fortunately, even with home modifications, aging in place and live-in care are still more affordable. 

Independence Stays Intact

As mentioned, losing independence can heighten the chances of depression; this rings true even when age is not the topic, as disabled individuals endure a period of grief for the loss of independence before acceptance is possible. 

While a retirement home is an option that typically strips seniors of independence in various ways, as the facility controls most elements of the daily routine, seniors can hold onto their freedom when they choose to age at home. 

Moreover, if the home environment has been modified and health wearables are used, families can identify the need for live-in care before concerns arise. 

Friends And Family Are Not Restricted

One of the massively overlooked factors of retirement homes is that seniors are typically restricted by visiting hours. With this, friends and family can't visit whenever they want or visit for lengthy periods. 

This unfortunate factor tends to isolate seniors in retirement homes from their loved ones, which only amplifies the risks of depression. But not just that, it negatively impacts the emotional wellbeing of all family members; it can be heartbreaking for little ones to have to accept that they can no longer visit granny and grandpa for the summer holidays. 

When it comes to aging in place, restrictions like visiting hours won't be a concern at all. 

Other Home Modifications Are Available

Beyond tech solutions, there are also other ways that you can modify a home environment to make it more suitable and safe for seniors. These modifications include bathroom enhancements like a walk-in bathtub or shower, safety railings, and non-slip flooring pads. 

These modifications will make the home environment more accessible and safe by reducing hazards. Moreover, these modifications are home investments that will also help seniors maintain independence for longer. 

Aging in place is an option that is more than just an affordable solution for families; the home environment can be secured with this route. Seniors can live freely without the restrictions associated with retirement homes. Moreover, seniors can continue their lives, uphold mental wellbeing, and maintain independence for much longer. 

Nevertheless, retirement homes are a suitable solution in situations where senior loved ones will benefit from round-the-clock medical care. Even though retirement homes are costly, they do offer their own benefits, such as 24/7 care, a variety of entertainment options, and a friendly environment. Therefore, if your senior loved one is battling conditions associated with age, such as dementia, a retirement home might be the best solution in terms of healthcare needs. However, even in these situations, live-in care is still the more affordable route. 

The best approach to make the right decision is to weigh in all the pros and cons for each option with your family and decide which is most applicable to your budget and the healthcare needs of your senior loved ones.