Charlie spent most of his 65th birthday on a ladder painting the second story of his house. It’s been his home for 31 years, and he plans to spend the rest of his life there.
Charlie is unlike most Americans – he is aging in place. That means he’s able to age in a comfortable, familiar environment. However, as people age, their ability to do everyday tasks becomes more difficult and challenging. For many, they must give up their independence and seek assistance through different community healthcare programs, like the Home Health and Hospice programs at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Joplin, MO. But are the programs the best way to go? Just as children flourish when nurtured in a stable environment, studies show that older adults do better mentally and physically when allowed to age in familiar surroundings among supportive friends and family.
After retirement, some couples decide to move to smaller quarters, with fewer maintenance responsibilities, or to a more favorable climate. And eventually, due to health problems and physical limitations associated with aging, many spend the final years of their lives in nursing homes or assisted care settings. For most individuals, however, the ideal is to age in place, and with support services now available, about 70 percent of Americans manage to remain in their own homes.
It’s estimated that 40 percent of Americans over the age of 75 will eventually need extensive health care services or have physical limitations affecting their daily activities. But will the services be there for you when you need them? Florence Curtis, an R.N. and Home Health manager at St. John’s says these services are available, but they come with a price and not all insurance companies cover the expense. She says, “Medicare does not cover the cost of custodial care in the home setting. Many seniors do not have the financial ability to pay the cost for in home assistance and find they do not qualify for assistance with other government programs. For Missouri seniors, the guidelines to qualify for state funded programs have become more stringent, while the benefits have decreased.”
This may come as a shock to those who need the services the most. It’s estimated that at least six million seniors require help with basic tasks, like getting out of bed, dressing, cooking, cleaning and handling finances. In most cases, sons and daughters help with many of these duties, often with the help of neighbors and support services in the community.
The first step for family members is to make sure the home environment is safe and functional considering physical limitations and medical conditions. Lighting, particularly in stairs and hallways, should be ratcheted up a notch or two. Ringers on phones and doorbells should also be adjusted upward.
“Flooring should be non-skid to protect against falls, and chairs should have firm backs and sturdy arms for support when standing up. Other renovations, depending on the physical needs of the individual, may include grab bars in the bathroom and leveled handles on doors and faucets.” Curtis adds, “some of these items can be purchased through your local Home Medical Equipment outlet, like the one available through St. John’s.”
Heart disease and diabetes pose an insidious threat, particularly for a person living alone. A heart attack, stroke or hypoglycemic attack that goes undetected for even a short time can be fatal.
Technology offers help with a number of emergency call/response systems that can be installed in the home or worn on the person. High tech possibilities for the near future – or even the present – include sensors and monitors that can make sure burners on the stove are turned off, that the bed has been slept in or that the person has taken his/her medication.
It’s also recommended that family and friends devise their own informal systems. Whether it’s a routine call throughout the day, or arranging for a neighbor to check regularly for signs of normal activity – with the blinds up by 8 a.m. and closed by 7 p.m. every day. These small details can help bring peace of mind to family members and those we care about.
If given the choice, most seniors would prefer to live at home with help rather than move to even an assisted living environment. For Charlie, at age 85, he’s still living at home, but with the realization that aging in place is neither as simple nor as easy as it seemed when he was up on the ladder at age 65. With the help of a home care worker, who comes in for several hours everyday to perform household chores and make sure he is taking his medication on schedule, he is doing quite well.
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