For information, contact: Jim Ryan Owner / Operator
jim@seniorcare-sc.com
803-227-3087
Aging-in-Place Guide: How to Stay in Your Home in Later Life
The number of Americans who first grew up with rock ‘n’ roll, astronauts and McDonald’s is off the charts. The late 1940s through early 1960s were marked by a boom in the U.S. economy, suburban living and, especially, babies. Lots of babies were born during this time period—some 76.4 million notes the U.S. Census Bureau. These boys and girls who lived through the Cold War and cold cuts on Wonder Bread® are now aging individuals who almost all agree on one thing: living in their own home later in life. Nearly 90 percent of the nation’s aging baby boomers want to age in place.
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) reports that 75 percent of adult children and 69 percent of the parents think about the parents’ ability to live independently as they get older. But how will these aging seniors remain comfortable and safe at home? What proactive steps can help safeguard everyday activities for older adults inside and outside the home?
“As loved ones age, certain conditions like visual changes and weaker muscles can affect balance, or some diseases and medications can cause cognitive issues,” said Jim Ryan, CEO of Right at Home in Rock Hill. “When seniors face health concerns because of aging, their risk of falls and injuries escalates, and sometimes their home itself is hazardous. Therefore, it’s essential to assess regularly a senior’s health and anything in the home that might be a safety concern.”
To reduce potential home hazards for older adults, Ryan recommends the free Aging-in-Place Guide developed by Right at Home with Dr. Rein Tideiksaar, a leading gerontologist and geriatric physician assistant who specializes in fall prevention for the elderly. The Aging-in-Place Guide helps senior adults and their families spot home safety concerns and create an individualized plan around the elder’s functional abilities, including getting out of bed and bathing. The guide includes a checklist of risks for home accidents and tips for making a home safe again if health or environmental factors arise.
The safety solutions can be as simple as adding brighter lightbulbs and more light fixtures to solve inadequate lighting. Adding carpet tape can smooth out curled carpet edges. For more extensive fixes, the guide outlines home modifications and remodeling such as installing bathroom grab bars, widening doorways and enlarging rooms.
For more information about home safety for older adults and to receive a copy of the Aging-in-Place Guide, or to setup a Free Home Safety Assessment Contact our office at 803-227-3087 or go to: https://www.rightathome.net/rock-hill.
