With modern advances in medicine and increased longevity, more seniors are choosing to age in place instead of living in nursing homes. Staying at home could be mentally, emotionally, and physically beneficial for seniors and help them stave off cognitive decline. Below are some of the benefits elderly people can gain from aging in place.
1. Increases Privacy
Aging adults need to maintain their dignity, and controlling who visits or has access to specific areas of their homes is a good start. When older adults age in place, they can maintain their privacy instead of living with the countless medical providers, patients, and visitors who go in and out of hospitals and assisted living facilities each day.
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 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 Calgary seniors can depend on.
2. Lowers the Risk of Infections
Living in a nursing home or retirement facility can put your loved one at higher risk for developing bacterial infections and contracting viruses. The risk increases because different people, many of whom are ill, walk in and out of these facilities every day. The illnesses are often contagious, and in some instances, they’re fatal for older adults. When your loved one decides to age in place, he or she can reduce the risk of infections and other health problems.
3. Promotes Independence
Staying at home requires your loved one to do many daily tasks alone, which can increase longevity and foster independence. You and your siblings can check on your parent occasionally, but you should avoid stepping in to handle your loved one’s tasks unless his or her health is in jeopardy. On days when your loved one doesn’t feel up to doing laundry or running errands, you can take over, as long as he or she asks for your assistance.
4. Maintains Familiarity
Being surrounded by familiar people, sounds, and objects at home could trigger positive memories for older adults with memory loss, especially those living with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Familiarity can enable aging adults to maintain as much normalcy as possible, which is great for their cognitive wellbeing and mental health. Although seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s may have difficulty remembering specific people and things in the middle and later stages of their conditions, having consistent schedules and familiar routines could keep them calm and reduce combative behavior.
5. Provides Affordability
Many seniors only need assistance with basic tasks, so aging in place is often cheaper compared to an assisted living facility or nursing home. When adults age in place, they only pay for the elder care services they utilize. If you and trusted family members and friends stop by each day to help with your loved one’s care, he or she is generally not responsible for any caregiving bills unless you decide to become his or her full-time caregiver. Even if your loved one hires an in-home caregiver to help out from time to time, it could be less expensive than paying for care at a retirement facility.
Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to an assisted living facility. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading Calgary homecare agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks.
6. Boosts Socialization
Elderly people can maintain current friendships and build new connections when they age in place. There are a variety of community events they can attend and organizations they can volunteer with to interact with like-minded people. Seniors are more likely to have active social lives when they control their own daily activities and base them on their preferences and skills. Having a strong social network can stave off memory loss and boost quality of life.
When considering homecare, families should make sure their senior loved ones have the resources they need to maintain their independence and remain healthy. Trusted in-home care professionals can assist seniors with daily tasks like cooking, bathing, and exercise, and they can also encourage them to focus on healthier lifestyle habits. Reach out to us at Home Care Assistance if you need compassionate, professional care for your loved one. If your loved one needs assistance with the challenges of aging, reach out to one of our knowledgeable, compassionate Care Managers today at 403-301-3777.