As we age, we want to stay healthy, hearty and at home. For many aging citizens, this goal can be achieved with some thoughtful planning.
According to BipartisanPolicy.org, "an overwhelming majority of seniors say they wish to “age in place” in their own homes and communities. Yet most homes and communities lack the structural features and support services that can make living there independently a safe, realistic option.
About 70 percent of adults over 65 will eventually require help with bathing, food preparation, dressing, and medication management. Medicare does not cover these services, though the costs of this care can consume a large portion of a household’s budget. In addition, only a small minority of Americans has long-term care insurance covering these expenses.
Also, personal savings are a critical source of retirement funding, but for millions of seniors these savings will fall far short of what is necessary to pay for housing, modifications to make homes safer, home services, health care, and other retirement needs
What are some ways to make sure your home is ready for healthy aging at home? We've asked the experts for their best tips.
1. Start with Simple Modifications - Easy, cost-affordable and do-it-yourself changes you can make now include putting brighter lights at entrances and throughout the house; widening doorways; remodeling the bathroom to include a shower with a seat and non-slip tub adhesives; making sure handrails on stairs are secure, installing anti-scald faucets, replacing or removing worn and bulging carpets; adding stair treads; adding grab bars in the bathtub and shower; and installing a ramp for at least one zero-step entrance.
2. Plan for Home Health Care - Home health care for seniors isn't just about personal care like help with bathing or meal preparation. It runs the gamut from household maintenance and transportation to advanced health care and day sitting programs.
Companies like Guardian Angels Concierge Services in Oklahoma City can help seniors stay in their homes by taking care of tasks like grocery shopping and delivery, medication reminders, light housekeeping, running errands, personal appointment scheduling, prescription ordering and pick up, home safety check assessments, technology set up, bill paying and more.
Guardian Angels Concierge Services was launched in Edmond, Oklahoma by Diana Hendrix, who over 28 years of experience working in the eldercare field. If you’re looking for a company that will assist senior adults find solutions to everyday life challenges, visit guardianangelsokc.com.
3. Stay Connected - Isolation and loneliness can make aging at home difficult, especially after the death of a spouse. Your local senior center offers a variety of activities and classes to help stimulate your social scene and mood. You might meet new people too.
The Oklahoma City Senior Health and Wellness Centers are located throughout Oklahoma City and are open to seniors everywhere.
If getting out and about is hard, volunteers are sometimes available to stop by or call once a week. They can just keep you company, or you can talk about any problems you are having. Call your local Area Agency on Aging to see if they are available near you.
Being able to stay in our own homes is important, and services like the Area Agency on Aging and Guardian Angels OKC can help keep you happy, healthy and safe.