Most people want to enjoy the benefits of aging in place. An AARP survey found that 77% of people ages 50 and older want to remain in their homes as they age. Among respondents of all ages, 63% agreed.
As a result, more older adults are living at home. Census figures show that only 2.5% of Americans over age 65 reside in nursing facilities. Most of those who do are at least 85 years old. Today, functional impairment no longer requires someone to move to a care facility. Older adults, even those with disabilities, can enjoy the benefits of aging in place with the support of in-home care services like skilled nursing, homemaking services and medication management.
Remaining in one's home and community with the necessary support to maintain a high quality of life offers several advantages, from stronger community connections to better physical health.
Health Benefits of Aging in Place
Aging in place has several aspects that support better overall health — both physical and mental — for seniors. These are some of the main health benefits of seniors continuing to live in their homes:
- Reduced Stress: Moving to a new living arrangement can be disruptive. Staying in a familiar place can minimize stress, which is known to improve overall physical health, including lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart disease.
- Increased Activity: Living at home involves keeping up with physical tasks such as cleaning, cooking, and gardening. Physical activity can reduce the risk of chronic disease and cognitive decline.
- Better Nutrition: Having the ability to cook and prepare their own meals allows older adults to make healthier food choices that are essential for their specific health needs.
- Personalized Care: You and your loved one can customize the services they receive. For example, with BrightStar Care as your partner, you can decide if your loved one just needs help with shopping and errands, if they have certain daily hygiene needs or if they receive physical or other therapy at home.
- Reduced Infection Risks: Living at home typically reduces exposure to outside pathogens. Millions of health-care-associated infections occur each year in long-term care facilities.
Social Benefits of Aging in Place
The physical benefits of aging in place are deeply intertwined with certain psychosocial factors, such as:
- Connectedness: Staying where they’ve lived lets seniors maintain connections with neighbors and the community. From regularly attending religious services to visiting local shops and restaurants, familiar social connections can enhance seniors’ physical and mental health. People who have close, supportive relationships tend to live longer, have better overall physical and emotional health, fewer feelings of loneliness and a better quality of life.
- Autonomy: Aging in place allows people to continue living in an environment where they can feel more in control of their daily activities and lifestyle choices. Autonomy, one of the most important benefits of aging in place, is associated with improved mental and physical health and enhanced well-being.
- Identity and Belonging: Owning a residence and maintaining it the way they want can enhance a person’s sense of identity. Seniors may have long established their home as a haven for friends and family, and forcing a move may be socially and emotionally detrimental.
These are some of the most compelling reasons to support aging in place, and it’s not surprising they’re centered on social connectivity. Research suggests being satisfied with one’s social situation directly correlates with less loneliness. Feeling isolated and lonely are associated with a higher risk of premature death as well as a 50% increased dementia risk, a 29% higher risk of heart disease and a 32% higher risk of stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Aging in place generally gives seniors a clear path to combatting loneliness.
Financial Benefits of Aging in Place
In addition to health and social factors, aging in place can be a financially savvy decision. Some of the top reasons to consider it include:
- Reduced Health Care Costs: Aging in place can prevent expensive residential facility costs. While there may be certain costs associated with home care, the tradeoffs may be finding care that’s less costly than a long-term facility and avoiding the spread of viruses that result in increased doctor visits or hospitalization.
- Increased Property Value: Making universal upgrades to a home to adapt it for aging residents can make it an ideal home for a wide range of ages and abilities, increasing the home’s market value.
- Tax Incentives: Various tax credits and deductions are available to homeowners who make accessibility modifications. For example, the homeowner may be able to take a medical expense deduction for medically necessary upgrades. Some of these will vary by location, but the IRS has various tax benefits for people who are elderly or have disabilities. Be sure to consult an accountant before moving forward.
Practical Considerations When Deciding to Age in Place
For your loved one to fully experience the benefits of aging in place, they need to be safe, comfortable and as independent as possible in their home. You can achieve this by planning for situations where they may need help and modifying the home with monitoring and mobility improvements when needed.
Creating emergency plans
Have conversations about what to do in case of a variety of situations. Establish what actions your loved one should take, who they should call and where they should go if they need to leave. Some events to consider are:
- Non-medical and non-life-threatening emergencies
- Catastrophic or life-threatening emergencies
- Severe weather, such as hurricanes, tornadoes or floods
- Environmental hazards such wildfires, earthquakes or tsunamis
- Power, phone or internet outages
- Mass public evacuations
Some of these will depend on where you live, so be specific.
Making home modifications
Not all homes were built with elderly or disabled people in mind. You may need to examine the house from the perspective of your loved one and make some changes to ensure safety and comfort.
You can follow some simple safety tips that don’t require much physical or financial investment:
- Store frequently used items on easy-to-reach shelves.
- Use reflective tape to mark the edge of steps or where the floor levels change.
- Declutter floor space and remove throw rugs to reduce trip hazards.
- Add a non-slip grip mat to the shower or tub and upgrade to a hand-held shower head.
- Ensure there is plenty of sensor-activated lighting in entryways and around stairways.
In addition, consider the value of upgrading the home to better accommodate your loved one. You don’t need to remodel everything at once, but you can tackle projects as needed. For example, you may want to start by switching over to smart devices where lights, appliances, temperature and exterior access can be monitored via the internet. Then, as mobility becomes a concern, you may want to add stability bars and handrails where needed, replace steps with ramps and widen entries and hallways for wheelchair accessibility.
Planning for caregiving
By some estimates, 70% of Americans who live to age 65 will need some form of caregiver support over the course of their lives. Receiving care at home can take many forms, from non-medical companion support to skilled nursing care. Home care professionals can assist with personal hygiene, household chores and health-related tasks depending on the level of care you need. They can even help with meal preparation and transportation.
Only 19% of adults ages 50-80 say they’re very confident about paying for help, and 43% are not confident at all. Assistive services don’t have to be out of reach. Resources like these are available:
- United Way 211 provides information and referral services in your local community. It can connect you with various caregiving resources.
- The Caregiver's Handbook from the National Institute on Aging provides a comprehensive overview of what caregivers need to understand about aging at home.
- Our Complete Guide to Home Care answers your questions from how to know when a loved one needs care services to how much it costs, what your options are, and how to choose what’s best for you.
Being financially prepared
It may be too late for your loved one to substantially increase their retirement savings or obtain long-term care insurance to fund living at home. But you can do everything possible to make aging in place work within the finances available:
- Review retirement and investment accounts with them to be sure about any mandatory distributions and expected earnings. Consider suggesting they work with a financial planner to explore options to make their money stretch further.
- Help evaluate their budget or establish a new one. Many people don’t realize how effective it can be to look at what you spend and set limits based on your priorities.
- Go over insurance coverage for primary and specialty care visits, treatments, and prescription medications. You’ll be better equipped to maximize your coverage and avoid surprise expenses.
- Make sure they’ve applied for all the health care discounts, food assistance and utility benefits they’re eligible for.
Growing older at home surrounded by support
Independent living at home or aging in place with in-home care may be a lifestyle you and your loved one want to embrace. It may not be easy, but it is possible and comes with benefits that may mean a longer, more enjoyable life.
Whether you're looking for in-home care services or assisted living for your loved one or a reliable medical staffing partner for your organization, our experienced local care team members are ready to help. Find a location near you, contact us online or call (866) 618-7827 to learn more about how BrightStar Care offers A Higher Standard®.