A Place at Home: 4 Tips for Aging Independently
If aging in place is the goal, there are some preliminary steps to take before the need for assistance becomes urgent. Home care involves many moving parts and must be designed specifically to fit the needs of each person, both currently and in the future.
In-Home Care Varies From Person to Person
Here are some tips to become educated about options and get started formulating a plan.
Tip #1: Learn About Home-Based Care
- Think about the kind of help that is needed now and might be needed in the future.
- Research what resources exist in the community to complement formal home-based care, such as Senior Centers and Adult Day Care programs.
- Find professionals who can help support you in the planning (i.e. occupational therapist, geriatric care manager). Make them part of your team.
Tip #2: Consider the Impact of Diseases or Illnesses
- Find out about how a chronic illness could make it hard for someone to get around or take care of themselves – both now and in the future.
- Talk with family, friends, and other caregivers about what support is needed for the individual to stay in their home.
- Be realistic and plan to revisit the decision as needs change over time.
Tip #3: Become Knowledgeable About Available Support
What kinds of support are available through agencies or individuals?
- Personal Care. This includes activities of daily living.
- Household Chores. What is needed? This could include house cleaning, yard work, grocery shopping, laundry, and similar chores.
- Meals. To stay as healthy as possible, shopping for food and preparing nutritious meals is very important.
- Money management. This includes tasks such as paying bills and filling out health insurance forms.
- Healthcare. There may be a need for help with many aspects of health care, including giving medications, caring for wounds, helping with medical equipment, and providing physical therapy.
- Transportation. It’s important to consider assistance getting around, such as rides to the doctor’s office or grocery store.
- Safety. A crucial part of staying at home is implementing safety features and help in case of a fall or other emergency. See the Worksheet: Home Safety Checklist for suggestions to help you identify hazards around the house.
Tip #4: Determine the Costs Involved
- Once steps 1 – 3 are complete, it’s time to identify potential providers.
- Check with the agency about aging in your county. They might be able to give you a list of registered providers, as well as lists of services and their potential costs.
- Contact healthcare providers and social workers who may also be able to assist with this.
- Make appointments with 2 or 3 caregivers to learn more.
A Key to Aging in Place at Home is Finding the Right Care Givers
A Better Solution in Home Care is ready to meet your needs. Their staff is experienced, professional, and caring. From comprehensive home care services to placement assistance and wraparound care management, ABS has been in the business of home care since 2000. Get started today—we look forward to serving you!
