Helping Your Senior Age in Place
Do your aging loved ones have a long-term care plan? If they’re like most seniors, they want to remain in their homes for as long as possible.
A new AARP poll of 1,400 older voters shows an overwhelming majority (88%) prefer to age in place. Eight in ten of those surveyed also support increasing resources for in-home care, so loved ones can remain home as long as possible.
At HCAN, we understand the importance of home – whoever that might be. We also know that oftentimes, seniors need a little help from family, friends, or professional caregivers to continue to live independently.
If you have aging loved ones, here are a few things you can do to help them safely navigate the challenges that come with aging.
Plan ahead.
The best time to plan for a long-term can is before you need it. Planning ahead means:
- Assessing the current living situation and determining if it will support your senior’s changing needs.
- Understanding the cost of long-term care and available financing options.
- Develop appropriate legal instructions (power of attorney, etc.) to ensure care in the event of an emergency.
- Regularly asking questions to determine if the living situation is changing.
Make home safe for seniors
Accidents send more than 2.8 million seniors to the emergency room each year. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to make sure the home is “senior-friendly”, including:
- Installing grab bars in the shower and near the toilet.
- Making sure all hallways, stairs and paths are well lit and clear of clutter, such as books or shoes.
- Removing throw rugs or tape them down to reduce the risk of trips and falls.
- Installing handrails on both sides of stairs.
- Ensuring smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working.
- Placing food and kitchen essentials in cabinets that are within easy reach.
- Installing motion lighting or bright night lights.
- Keeping emergency numbers handy.
Hire a professional caregiver
You can’t always be there when your aging loved one needs a little help, but we can. From companionship to dementia care, HCAN caregivers are committed to helping meet the unique needs of your aging loved one – whether it’s just for a few hours a week or 24/7.
To learn how HCAN caregivers can help your aging loved one, visit www.hcanthrive.com.