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Call Us Today (203) 433-4325
As time passes, we all age. It's certain that many individuals tend to overlook or delay discussing aging until it's too late. However, what many fail to understand is that it's more crucial than ever to begin preparing for your later years now. This way, as you age, you can decide how you want to spend the rest of your life, rather than having those choices made for you by others.
Many individuals view their dream scenario as spending their entire life in the coziness of their own dwelling. Latest figures indicate that a significant percentage of elderly individuals opt to spend the rest of their years in their private residence rather than in a care home or nursing center. In reality, the percentage of people wishing to age at home surpasses 80%.
The moment has come to discuss your future plans once you reach an older age, and this dialogue doesn't have to be a source of discomfort. It's crucial to differentiate between facts and feelings and focus on the monetary aspects, the practical details, and the impact on everyone present during these discussions. Here are several critical questions to consider while engaging in conversations and strategizing for your later years:
The questions outlined above matter significantly and should be addressed immediately to guarantee the establishment and consensus among all stakeholders. Don't delay until tomorrow what ought to be addressed today. Start the dialogue and devise a strategy before time runs out, otherwise, you'll be at the mercy of the decisions imposed upon you by others.
As we age, our physical strength weakens, leading to challenges that must be overcome for those who wish to age in place. Basic barriers such as stepping through a doorway or navigating a staircase to a carpeted floor can become impossible and pose significant risks of falling for the elderly. Annually, one out of every four seniors will suffer a fall, underscoring the critical need to remove any possible risk of falling from an elderly person's living space.
Since the 1950s, the vast majority of residential constructions have been multi-story or divided-level dwellings featuring one or more staircases. Even when these staircases are modest, with just a few steps, they pose a significant hazard for the elderly to navigate safely. Staircases of all dimensions are perilous and pose a genuine danger to older individuals. Falls among the elderly often lead to severe injuries. For seniors residing at home, a minor injury can quickly worsen without the necessary support.
In certain situations, staircases can be resolved by constructing ramps that are gentle in slope and have a non-slip top surface over the stairs. However, in instances where space is limited or the staircase is excessively steep for a ramp to be constructed, other more drastic measures need to be thought about. Alternative solutions might involve restricting elderly residents to a single floor, installing an elevator, or perhaps a motorized chair lift for homes with multiple floors. These approaches are expensive and may introduce new difficulties. Other factors to take into account include, for instance, creating a new entryway, adding a new bathroom and kitchen that are accessible for those with disabilities, and so on.
Not every house can be easily changed. Building and architectural restrictions, along with budget limitations, can restrict what is even feasible when planning to live out your years in your own house. It's crucial to recognize these barriers early on so that backup plans can be developed, such as selling the existing house, buying a new one, or exploring other living arrangements besides staying at home.
When assessing a property for potential future living as a senior, it's important to look beyond just the presence of staircases and the ability to navigate through several levels. Some other factors to take into account are:
Getting a house ready for an elderly person living there demands both effort and financial resources, which is why it's crucial to begin the process promptly to guarantee a pleasant and cozy final years.
Elderly individuals prefer to stay in their own residences partly due to their strong-willed and self-reliant nature. Regardless of their level of independence, every senior eventually encounters a time when they require assistance with the routine activities of daily living.
At the beginning, it might not be essential to hire a home care service such as Health & Comfort Home Care Agency provides, but rather implement some technology-based solutions often known as "Smart-Home Technology".
Intelligent home systems feature features such as voice-activated light switches, security doorbells equipped with cameras, sensors that detect falls, and voice-controlled thermostats. These technologies significantly lower the chances of accidents and falls by enabling individuals to stay comfortably seated and manage their environment using voice commands. The fewer times an elderly individual has to get up and move around their living space, the safer that environment becomes for them.In recent years smart home technology has become very affordable and much easier to implement.
Home automation systems are not meant to substitute for a live-in caregiver, but they serve as an affordable and beneficial aid when used alongside a caregiver to ensure a secure and cozy living space for individuals or groups aging in place.
We briefly mentioned it before when we talked about initiating the discussion sooner rather than later, but financial planning stands as a crucial aspect of strategizing for your retirement living arrangements.
Living expenses are all about money, and while medical insurance might help with some of it, it doesn't pay for everything. Even with extra insurance, the direct costs of living at home can be quite high. When thinking about staying at home for the rest of your life, it's important to think about:
The issue at hand is finding a way to cover the costs of residing in your house when you're no longer earning a paycheck. Social Security and insurance benefits fall short of covering all expenses, which is the reason why the majority of individuals who aren't self-sufficient or prepared for retirement require an additional income stream.
The most effective strategy for getting ready to spend the rest of your life at home is to begin saving as soon as possible. However, this isn't always feasible for everyone. For those who own their home and have some equity, a reverse mortgage could be a viable alternative. Another choice is to sell your home and move to a smaller one. Regrettably, for those without significant savings or equity, the financial responsibility often ends up on the shoulders of family members, underscoring the need to start saving and planning ahead.
Our mission is to make a difference in the lives of seniors who wish to retain their independence in the comfort of their home. We strive to bring peace of mind to our seniors, as well as their families. We are committed to providing affordable, trustworthy, and personalized care.
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