Aging in place is an honorable way to maintain independence for as long as possible. However, the decision is not to be made lightly as there are pros and cons. Read on to learn more about this hot topic.
What exactly is aging in place?
Aging in place refers to staying in one’s current home and community throughout the aging process. Older people who age in place tend to adjust their lifestyle to handle personal needs and preferences. The desire is to maintain independence and quality of life in a familiar environment for as long as possible, rather than relocate to a senior-care facility.
What’s best?
Arguments can be made for aging in place as well as for relocating to a retirement or assisted living facility as one grows older. Neither is a wrong decision. It boils down to meeting individual needs and considering physical ability, health, cognitive function and other important factors that guarantee safe living. To help with the decision, let’s examine some pros and cons of aging in place.
| Core concept | Pro | Con |
| Independence | Staying in one’s home allows people to maximize independence and stay in control for as long as they can. | Staying in one’s home forces one to make serious independent decisions which can lead to indecisiveness. |
| Stress | Living in a familiar environment can reduce stress and increase comfort. | Remaining in one’s home may require work to adapt the home to one’s aging needs, thereby adding stress. |
| Social life | Aging in place allows people to remain in their neighborhoods near local friends and family and familiar places such as worship centers, doctors’ offices, and grocery stores. | Staying in one’s home can increase isolation and decrease social connections. A facility offers interaction with others one’s own age, plus group activities and entertainment. |
| Safety | Being in a familiar environment can equal safety as people know the hazards around them. It also allows people to plan and implement measures to improve safety, such as adding handrails near steps. Additionally, being solitary reduces exposure to illnesses such as the flu. | Homes with steps and other hazards put health and safety at risk. A facility may offer elevators and other helpful conveniences to safeguard health. Additionally, healthcare is often readily available, providing access to medications, special diets, and more. |
| Daily needs | Staying at home allows people to maintain autonomy over their lives, including the performance of daily tasks and attending to personal needs. | Moving to a facility helps with daily needs such as bathing, dressing, taking medications, cooking, cleaning and transportation. |
| Cost-effectiveness | Aging in place can sometimes be more affordable than moving to a retirement community or assisted living facility, especially when one preplans from a young age. | Sometimes, pricey home modifications, in-home care, and other support services are required, thereby building at home costs and making moving to a care facility a wise choice. |
Is aging in place right for you?
Creating a plan to live comfortably in one’s home for as long as possible through the aging process is a noble cause. It is also a deeply personal decision featuring pros and cons. Aging in place requires careful consideration of individual needs and physical condition, preferences, and resources. For successful aging in place, one must be willing to make home modifications for safety, such as adding grab bars in the shower or ramps for walkers or wheelchairs. Also, when the time comes, people aging in place should expect to hire in-home help for support. Planning and being adaptable are keys to successful aging in place.
For more practical information about aging in place, visit: https://www.ncoa.org/aging-in-place/
Disclosure: This article is purely informational and is not intended as a financial or medical resource, nor does it serve as specific advice.
Not mentioned at all is the main reason, most don’t like moving to a specialized senior environment location is the cost involved, not all of that cost is controlled by the person as they can when in their own home.
YES, AGING IN PLACE IS BEST FOR ME!
People who are not in a chronic state need to strength train and do balance exercises. Don’t be lazy, do the work and you can stay in place for life!
It cost my Aunt $3400 a month in a nursing home 20 years ago.