Considering Aging In Place? Here Are Some Things To Think About.

As the new year approaches many older Americans are considering how they want to live in the coming years. Aging in place is becoming a popular option with those who wish to maintain their independence and live in the home that they know and love. If you or a loved one are among that population you will want to plan ahead for your aging in place journey.

In 2023 there will be an estimated 56 million Americans who are over the age of 65 years old and who may be considering making a transition to aging in place in the coming years. Some of these decisions will be driven by changes in companionship (i.e. divorce or death) some may be driven by changes in health status or living situation, among other determining factors. Whatever is a determining factor there are likely questions about what aging in place looks like and how certain things may be handled as the years go by.

Here are some things you should think about as you are deciding if this type of living in your older years is right for you.

1.) Personal care. If you are aging in place you and struggling with taking care of daily personal hygiene like bathing or getting dressed you may need to rely on a friend or family member to help you with this OR in some cases you may need to hire someone for a short period every day to help you get yourself prepared in the morning and in the evening.

2.) Household chores and meal prep. As you get older things that you otherwise normally would do may get more difficult and become unmanageable for you to take care of on your own. If this is the case you may need to consider a cleaning service and a meal prep service. These services will provide you with the ability to remain in your home while also not letting it become laborious for you to maintain.

3.) Your health. Taking care of your health as you age is one of the most important things you can do to maintain the lifestyle that you hope to maintain. Whether you are in need of consistent medical attention or just need help coming off of specific medical procedures you may need to hire a Connecticut home health aide that can help you take care of yourself and keep track of your health and well being.

4.) Money management. When you’re aging in place and relying on a variety of different service providers it may get costly and you will want to make sure you engage a money manager to insure that you are not overspending and that you can afford all of the services that you will need. Some may be covered through certain benefits you have accrued over the course of your life, but others may need to be covered out of pocket. A money manager can help you sort through all of your needs.

The idea of aging in place can be exciting to some who wish to maintain their independence and live in the home they love. It also comes with some challenges that should really be addressed before you make the final decision to grow older in the home you are currently living in. Consulting with service providers, family and friends about what your needs are and how you’re going to maintain the type of lifestyle you desire is an important first step in the decision making process.