It’s important to center seniors in the decision-making process and talk to them about their needs early, experts suggest.
Some seniors are aging in place but are also stuck in place. These individuals don’t have the financial resources to help them move, relocate, downsize, or can’t afford to live in nursing homes.
Seasons’ recent article, “Pandemic has made seniors more confident about aging in place, study reports,” says an early open dialogue with seniors is so important.
Here are some questions to ask to prepare for aging in place:
- What home modifications can we make now, so your home can continue to meet your needs as you age?
- If it’s a multi-story home, is a bedroom and bathroom available on the ground floor?
- Is it more realistic and wiser to downgrade to a smaller home or move in with family?
- How can we meet your transportation needs?
- What would you do in an emergency?
- Are you okay with having caregivers come into the home to help you?
- What tasks would you be most comfortable with them doing?
- What are some worries that you have about living alone?
It’s important to keep the lines of communication open as circumstances can change. Moreover, what a senior was comfortable with at one point may not be the same as they lose their abilities.
About half of older adults who responded to an AARP survey agreed they’d be willing to consider an accessory dwelling unit—such as a mother-in-law cottage—or multi-generational home. These aging-in-place options can offer seniors the support they need, while keeping their independence and preventing institutionalization.
Reference: Seasons (August 9, 2022) “Pandemic has made seniors more confident about aging in place, study reports”
