The decision to move out of the home you’ve lived in for years, whether you’re planning to go to an independent or assisted living, is a difficult one – and not always necessary. As the popularity of aging at home grows by leaps and bounds, join Dr. Sandra Morrical, DBA as she explores the considerations involved in the significant decision: To stay in place or make a move?

As we age, there are some changes that bring about challenges with day-to-day living. Mobility lessens, and we start to forget little things here and there as our short term memory weakens. After all, a lifetime of memories packed in doesn’t leave much room for short-term memory. Like a computer, there just isn’t always enough storage space. And when that happens, daily activities become more difficult to accomplish, and for those living alone, it may be time to reevaluate their situation.So no, getting older isn’t always easy, but that doesn’t that mean you have to change where you live. Even for those who struggle to do things independently, there is the option of living at home with in-home care, and these days, as the baby boomer generation gets older, more and more people are making the decision to age in place.

in-home_care
This option is not for everyone, and many things need to be considered when deciding to have in-home care.

The obvious benefit is the ability to stay in the home where you have lived for years and where you created many memories. This option also costs less than moving into an assisted living or nursing facility.

There are also emotional advantages with in-home care. Individuals who choose to age at home are less likely to feel helpless or depressed. In addition, people who suffer with dementia will feel calmer and have a sense of control if they remain in familiar surroundings.

When the choice of in-home versus out of home has been decided, there are decisions to make regarding how this care is going to be provided. Home care can be provided by a loved one or by a home-care professional. If care will be provided by family, be sure to consider that the responsibility may place added stress on that family member, especially since he/she is likely to already have extensive responsibilities outside the home. In addition, as dependency increases, caring for someone in the home can become more difficult and may create health issues for the family member doing the in-home care.

family_caregiving1
Home care by trained professionals can be costly. Home care pros often charge upwards of $30 per hour; if around-the-clock assistance is required, the cost can quickly add up. This can deplete a person’s savings as well as the maximum benefit amount set by insurance plans. Another downside to aging at home with a professional is compatibility between the professional and the person needing the in-home care.

Another consideration when deciding between staying at home and moving to a home is if your home is equipped to deal with the changes that will occur in mobility and cognition, or if it would have to be fitted to ensure safety and a comfortable environment.

accessible_home_1
Like everything in life, aging at home has advantages and disadvantages, and the decision should be made based on the needs of the person needing care. Everyone has different needs, with different physical limitations and psychological make-ups, differing personalities and anxiety levels, and so on. When making the choice about in-home or care within a facility, it’s important to weigh all these factors, along with financial concerns, family availability, and so on. Assistance from a counselor specializing in elder care, a spiritual adviser, or friends and family in similar situations may be very helpful when making this highly important life decision.

 

Sandra Morrical is a Hospice Nurse and has been a nurse for 18 years. She wrote for the Orlando Examiner from July 2011 until the website closed down July 10, 2016, as the Orlando Senior Issues Examiner. She continues her writing on senior issues on Linkedln. In addition, she wrote an article for Dorland Health under the name Larson before she remarried on July 13, 2013.