When seniors decide to age in place, there’s more to it than them stating that they’re going to live in their homes forever. There are lots of variables to consider and some plans for families to make. The best plans keep seniors involved int he decision-making process and also ensure that seniors have the support they need, like home care assistance.
Safety and Accessibility
The first considerations need to be safety and accessibility. Seniors might have great mobility now and may not be concerned about safety hazards. But things change, sometimes pretty quickly. All it takes is an accident or illness to realize that seniors might not have the accessibility they need at home. Thinking about long-term needs can help quite a bit.
Schedule Regular Checkups
Seniors may also not be thinking about their future health needs just yet. If they don’t have chronic health issues or other reasons to be concerned, they might think it’s okay to be lax about healthcare checkups or vision and dental visits. But as they decide to age in place, it’s more important than ever for these checkups to be on a consistent schedule.
Put Together a Support Network
It takes a village, they say, and for good reason. Having a strong support network means that as seniors age in place, they’re going to have the tools and people they need to make aging in place successful for themselves. Most support networks are made up of a mix of family members, friends, elder care providers, family caregivers, and medical providers. The right support network might have a lot more folks participating than seniors realize, and that’s great news for meeting their goals.
Stay Informed About How Things Are Going
Family caregivers might not feel super involved in caregiving needs at first. Seniors may handle much of their daily needs themselves. That’s why it’s incredibly important for family caregivers to get used to checking in with seniors about how they’re doing. Asking questions about what seniors need and where family caregivers can offer them the best support makes adjusting care plans easier.
Don’t Wait to Get Home Care Assistance
A lot of families wait to bring in home care assistance. Some may not even realize that they can hire home care providers from the very beginning. Seniors can get used to having help from other people early in the caregiving journey, making it easier to ramp up that assistance later on. Waiting to get help can mean that family caregivers are more overwhelmed than they have to be when they finally do reach out for help.
Every senior’s experience with aging in place looks a little bit different. There are unique challenges along the way and different circumstances that make aging in place successful for seniors or not. Getting help from home care assistance can take a lot of the guesswork out of the situation for families and aging adults. That way they can have help along the way making care plans and keeping seniors as safe and happy as possible.
If you or an aging loved one could benefit from home care assistance in Lawrenceville, GA, call Home Care Matters. We can answer your questions about home care and help you learn more about options for care. Call today (770) 965-4004.
Valerie has the unique experience with home care as she has experienced it from both ends of the spectrum, as a caregiver and as needing care herself as a cancer survivor. Valerie says, “Taking care of someone you love is a physically, mentally and demanding labor of love.Taking care of my mom was the hardest thing I have ever done. It has given me an insight and perspective not many people understand unless you are doing it or have done it.I loved taking care of my mom.I love helping others take care of their love ones too.And now that I’ve been sick, it’s given me a whole new level of empathy and understanding for those who are sick and need help.”
Valerie’s schedule varies daily, but she loves visiting with our clients, families, caregivers, our network partners and being in the office.Says Valerie, “Every day is different, but I wake up excited about what we do, inspired by our team, clients and caregivers.I strive to be a resource to the community.I love my team and I love what we do every day. I like to think my mom would be proud.”
You can reach Valerie by email (Valerie@homecarematters.com) or in our office (770.965.4004).
- What Should Families Consider About Aging in Place? - May 30, 2025
- The Role of Caregivers in Supporting Independent Living - May 23, 2025
- Understanding Personal Care at Home Services for Seniors - May 16, 2025
