Aging in Place

Your aging parents want to stay in their home, but here are 7 reasons why it could be tough

90% of seniors want to age in their own home. That requires serious planning.

"More than 12,000 people are turning 65 each day in the US. And with that, individuals and families are starting to make considerations on what might be entailed to better manage the aging process.

There is a strong desire from seniors to age in place, meaning staying in their home instead of moving to a dedicated facility. Marc Glickman, CEO of long-term care planning experts BuddyIns, estimated that today, around 75% of seniors are using home care services to age in place instead of moving to an assisted living or nursing homes.

An AARP survey showed 90% of individuals 65 and over would prefer to age in place. However, when it comes to aging in place, there is much to consider that is often overlooked. "

This January 2024 opinion piece from Fox News suggests some of the impediments to seniors aging in place.

Stylish Home Updates That Make Aging Easier

AARP is a great source of information for seniors. One of the major areas of focus has always been on Aging-in-Place.

Check out this recent article that "explains how large and small renovations, stylish updates and space reconfigurations can improve safety and quality of life — allowing you to live more comfortably now and into the future.​"

8 Tools for Making Cooking Easier

Aging in Place? Here's 8 Kitchen Tools to Make Cooking Easy

"With about 87 percent of seniors making the choice to age in place at home rather than moving to assisted living or long-term care facilities, it is more important than ever to ensure that older Americans find the tools they need to live safely and independently."

"Planning is key to successful aging in place, preparing for different scenarios, and determining what daily living aids, gadgets, and durable medical equipment can help. Adaptive and assistive devices help seniors to remain as self-reliant and independent as possible, while they also enhance safety."

This article that was originally posted in Aging in Place Caregiver University and reposted here in RehabMart.com suggests some creative tools to make meal preparation safer and easier.

HomeFit Guide

A free publication (available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese) featuring smart ways to make a home comfortable, safe and a great fit for older adults — and people of all ages.

This is where you start your Aging-in-Place journey and help protect yourself and family members from unnecessary falls or other injuries.

Can be viewed online, downloaded or ordered as a hardcopy document from AARP.

Discover the 5-Step Formula to Live Independently

"Most people would love to live in their own home for as long as possible -- ideally their entire life. The thought of living in a nursing home or elder care facility is a real turn-off."

How can you be one of those people who lives on your own -- enjoys coming and going as you please, and doing what you love to do? Turns out there are a few magic ingredients, explains Patricia Bloom, MD, associate clinical professor of geriatrics and palliative medicine at Mount Sinai. Discover the "simple 5-step formula" . . .

STEP 1: Move!

Get your heart pumping and your blood flowing -- go for a walk. 30 minutes a day is all you need. If you use a cane or a walker, a safer option may be to walk around your local mall, where the walking surface is smooth.

STEP 2: Build strength

To stay independent, you also need strength. Grab a pair of dumbbells and/or resistance bands. A 15-minute strength training workout 2-3 times a week is ideal.

STEP 3: Reduce your risk of falls and fractures

Try yoga or tai chi to improve balance and flexibility. "... falls and fractures -- especially hip fractures -- are a major factor in loss of independence." says Dr. Bloom. Research has shown that yoga and tai chi reduce the risk of falls.

STEP 4: Protect your brain power

Studies have shown a link between the Mediterranean diet and a lower incidence of dementia. Fruits, vegetables, who grains and legumes are high on the list of this healthy eating plan, as are healthy fats, such as olive oil and fatty fish. Avoid red meat, full-fat dairy, and butter, which are high in unsaturated fat. Limit sugary foods and beverages and alcohol.

STEP 5: Do everything you can to prevent disease

Stop smoking, lose weight if necessary and keep your blood pressure under control. Take your medications and keep your medical appointments. Get routine health screenings, such as hearing and vision checks. If left untreated, vision and hearing impairments can make daily activities like driving or cooking difficult.

And don't be too afraid, too stubborn or too proud to ask for help. "If you are willing to accept help when you need it, you are more likely to achieve the goal of staying in your own home," says Dr. Bloom.

SOURCE: Focus on Healthy Aging newsletter. Volume 27, Number 1, Summer 2024. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

AARP - 5 Types of Tech Products to Help Loved Ones Age in Place

You don’t need a smart home to ensure comfort and safety

"Thanks to new technology, older adults can stay independent in their own homes with cherished possessions, established routines and the help of innovative products that make living easier."

Some solutions don’t require Wi-Fi connectivity, while others leverage smart technology to be compatible with other devices. Either way, these tools enable family caregivers who don’t live in the home to be an integral part of the day-to-day activities of an aging adult."

This AARP article addresses: Preferring home • Detecting falls • About alarm buttons • Managing medications • Keeping clean • Tracking without intruding • Sleeping comfortably

Technology for Seniors

A Guide to Useful Technology for Older Adults in 2024 -

"Aging in place is an attractive option for many older adults. And thanks to advances in technology, it's a safe and realistic option for the majority of Americans enjoying their golden years. Assistive devices, mobile apps, and medical alert systems can work together to keep you safe and independent in your home, even as your health needs change.

Below, we'll touch on some gadgets, apps, and services that can help seniors safely remain in the familiarity of their home for longer and connect with friends and family, even from afar. Of course, most of these digital devices require a good internet connection for them to work properly. So, we'll give you the rundown on your internet options as well."

This article from SeniorLiving.org provides a comprehensive view on the use of technology to support seniors so that they can age in place.

SeniorLiving.org is supported by commissions from providers listed on our site. Read our Editorial Guidelines

NCOA Adviser - Home Safety for Older Adults: A Comprehensive Guide 2024

A guide on home safety for older adults, with a printable checklist to help assess your home for risks.

"Key Takeaways

• Prevent falls and other accidents by taking precautions and making safety modifications in the home.
• When assessing your home’s safety, consider going room-by-room with our comprehensive checklist to ensure you find all potential hazards.
• Many safety modifications can be made to your home that are affordable and easy to do yourself."

"As we age, our homes should continue to be a place where we feel safe, secure, and comfortable. But research shows the exact opposite is sometimes true.

A 2014 study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found 28.7% of adults over the age of 65 reported falling at least once in the last 12 months.¹ Another study by the Hospital for Special Surgery found 60% of falls happen in the home.² To help prevent falls and other accidents, you can make safety modifications to your environment and eliminate common hazards."

This extremely useful guide is presented by the National Council on Aging (NCOA). NCOA is one of the most recognized authorities on resources and support for the aging process. Check out this guide and take advantage of the fall prevention recommendations and home safety checklists. Click on the following link to access this important and useful information.

14 Bathroom Updates for Now and Later as You Age in Place

Bathrooms present a high risk of falls and need special attention.

"The risk of falling rises with age as people experience decreased mobility, reduced eyesight, muscle weakness and other conditions. Each year, more than 10 percent of adults 65 and older have falls that result in injuries. ​

​Falls happen mostly at home and mainly in the bathroom, which can be a slippery space with hard surfaces. Bathroom design upgrades — from small and inexpensive to big and bold — can make a difference and help prevent falls.​​"

This August 2023 article from AARP focuses on useful bathroom improvements that help to prevent fall.

Tips and Tools to Make Cooking Easier as You Age

Whether you’re someone who loves cooking or someone who sees it as a necessary hassle, changes associated with aging—poorer eyesight, stiffer hands, easier fatigue—can make the task more difficult.

But you can overcome those challenges with a few simple strategies and some well-designed tools.

This article published in Consumer Reports has several suggestions for making cooking easier.

AARP - 5 Ways Technology Can Make Life Easier for Caregivers of Dementia Patients

Wearables, smart homes and other solutions may help, though one size doesn’t fit all

Everyday technology that people use around the house — including doorbell cameras, smart speakers and wrist-worn trackers — can help those suffering from cognitive decline. The tech may ease the burden on caregivers, too.

“Every family caregiver’s number one priority is their loved one’s safety,” says Jennifer Reeder, director of educational and social services for the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. “And this is where technology can play an important and helpful role, especially if the caregiver and their family member who is living with dementia don’t reside in the same home.”

No solution works for all Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers.

“Dementia-related illnesses affect everyone differently,” Reeder says.

This article from AARP helps to explain the ways that technology can be useful when caring for patients with dementia.

AARP - Caregiver's Guide to Smart Home Technology

Technology today can offer caregivers oversight into the lives of aging loved ones without being intrusive. The devices that can help put together the big picture of a loved one’s health and well-being aren’t a substitute for interaction. But they can help an older adult remain independent longer.

AARP - Ride-Hailing App Adds Feature for Caregivers

Uber app will let caregivers be part of three-way talk with driver, help bill insurer if covered.

Caregivers face an especially rough road when navigating ride-hailing services designed for able-bodied people familiar with technology.

Organizing a Lyft or Uber ride on somebody else’s behalf requires communicating with the driver through your app and keeping in touch with the passenger separately. Getting insurance to cover those costs can also be a bumpy ride.

This AARP article explains how new technology can help caregivers when using ride-hailing transportation for their care recipients.

AARP - Quiz: Do You Know How Technology Can Help You Care for a Loved One?

Tech won’t solve all problems, but it can take some pressure off you

"If you’re an older adult, smart homes may seem like a lot of hype — or best left to those more comfortable with technology.

But if you’re one of the 9 in 10 people ages 50 to 80 who say they want to stay in their homes as long as possible, innovations available today can help you remain independent, especially if you live alone. And that tech can help your family keep tabs on your safety without being intrusive. Here’s a quiz to show you what today’s tech can do for you and your family."

This article from AARP illustrates many of the ways that technology can assist in the process of caregiving.

5 Smart Ways to Check in on Your Independence

"Wondering if your health is on track to age in place? Here’s how to discover for yourself how you’re doing on your own."

"It’s nearly inevitable that your adult kids will start parenting you a bit as you grow older. They love you — and want you to be safe — but if they frequently express concerns about your independence, it can feel a little insulting. There’s a good chance that you’re managing everything at home just fine on your own."

“Most people want to age in place,” says Dianne Stone. She is the associate director of network development and engagement at the National Council on Aging (NCOA). “And by that, I mean in the place of their choosing and to live independently for as long as possible.”

"Maintaining good health and autonomy often comes down to savvy planning and a fair amount of self-awareness. Experts say that a big part of healthy aging is anticipating future needs."

Check out this article from SilverSneakers regarding ways to assess and maintain your independence.

Does Medicare cover medical alert systems?

"According to the National Poll on Healthy Aging, which surveyed adults from ages 50 to 80, 88% responded that it was important to remain in their homes as long as possible. For older Americans to age in place well, technology can be useful, especially medical alert systems."

“These devices allow those who have fallen or have an emergency to contact someone for assistance,” says Jen Teague, Director for Health Coverage and Benefits at the National Council on Aging. “Ultimately, they help an individual maintain independence.”

"Medical alert devices have come a long way since the 1980s Lifecall ads that featured an older woman on the ground saying, “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” Today’s medical alert options range from in-home and on-the-go systems to watches and other wearables."

A May 1, 2024, article in the Aging Well section of Fortune Well magazine talks about the medical alert options currently available and answers the question regarding Medicare or Medicaid coverage. Use the following link:

Your Home Checklist for Aging in Place

Start with small projects and anticipate future needs.