By Abigail Garvin, Director of Marketing & PR at BBB of the Upstate
As we age, many of us wish to stay in our homes for the time because that’s where we feel comfortable. Unfortunately, this isn’t an option for some seniors who are forced to move to an assisted living or long-term care facility. But thanks to the variety of community resources and programs, many seniors are given the opportunity to continue living at home, safely and independently.
For aging in place to be successful, you or your loved ones need to have a network of highly trained professionals and loving family members and volunteers standing behind them. With the right assistance from the right people, seniors can avoid having to move to a long-term care facility.
As you begin to search for solutions and equip your home with items that allow you or your loved one to continue living there, consider these simple BBB tips:
Evaluate the community. Before making an investment to modify your home or the home of a loved one, there are other things you should take into consideration. Do you have the network of support in place? Is the community in which the house resides senior-friendly? Is the environment safe? Are there basic services such as hospitals/physicians, grocery stores and pharmacies?
Make sure modifications are an option. Odds are that the average home was not built with senior compatibility in mind. However, there are improvements that can be made, some very inexpensively, to adjust the home and make it senior friendly.
Check out your contractor. Before allowing anyone to make changes to your or your loved one’s home, research them. Contact your local Better Business Bureau and we will be happy to provide you with a list of Accredited Businesses that Start with Trust®.
The BBB of the Upstate is here to help. If you need assistance or are wary about what to do, call the BBB Elder Fraud program hotline at (864) 240-2080. You can also email questions or concerns to info@upstatesc.bbb.org. The mission of the BBB Elder Fraud program is to assist seniors in recognizing and resisting fraudulent offers and possible scams.
If you would like to check out a business online, visit www.bbb.org/upstatesc.
For more information about aging in place, visit the National Aging in Place Council at www.ageinplace.org.
