Home is definitely where the heart is. That’s why our mission here at Home Instead is, and always has been, to help people live as independently as possible, in their own homes, for as long as possible. But the reality of what’s called “aging in place” is sometimes very harsh.
“Many older people are fiercely independent to a fault,” says Dr. Robert Roush Jr., director of the Texas Consortium of the Geriatrics Education Center. “They want to stay in their own homes. The walls will be falling down, and they won’t move.”
More important, some seniors won’t admit they need help. Often in spite of the fact they’re forgetting things, like taking their medications, which creates more serious health issues or their eyesight is fading and cooking is harder, so they’re not eating properly or they’re so afraid of falling, due to previous accidents, that they’ve stopped bathing or going out.
In the future, aging in place will definitely be easier, thanks to high-tech gadgetry such as talking medicine cabinets that remind us to take our pills, video monitoring systems that allow relatives to keep an eye on loved ones and, of course, robots that do for us what we can’t.
The bad news is, this brave new world will be costly at first. So for most of us, aging in place, at least right now, takes creativity, a change in attitude and a little acceptance as we grow older. Meaning, if you need help, ask for it from relatives, friends, neighbors and companies like Home Instead that employ experienced, compassionate caregivers who can assist you with the activities of daily living that are becoming a bit more difficult.
And, reduce your risk wherever possible, especially the risk of falling. Falls are the leading cause of injury deaths and the most common cause of hospital admissions for trauma in people over age 65. Some simple suggestions:
1. Get rid of throw rugs.
2. Use nightlights in areas where lighting is poor.
3. Install grab bars in bathrooms.
4. Replace or cover slippery floor surfaces in bathrooms and the kitchen.
If you have questions about aging in place and creative solutions for today’s seniors, please feel free to call us at 661-254-8701 or email me at charlenep@homeinstead.com .