It’s no surprise that almost 90% of adults over the age of 50 are currently living in their own homes.
There are so many benefits to aging in place that it makes sense that people want to remain in their homes for as long as possible.
In this article, we’ll cover what is aging in place and what benefits it can have for you or your loved ones. Trust us: You’ll be happily surprised to learn how great this option is for people with diverse needs and lifestyles.
Let’s take a deep dive into aging in place and its many benefits.
Aging in Place: What is it?
According to The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention aging in place gives your loved one the ability to “live at home and in their community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level.”
In other words, aging in place is a great option for an assortment of people with varying needs. It provides your loved ones with the independence they need to continue living their routine lives.
Because this option gives your loved ones the most normal and comfortable life possible, there are many benefits that come with it.
Main Benefits of Aging in Place
Everyone has their own reasons why they find aging in place to be the best option for them. Here, we’ve identified the main five benefits people experience, so you can make a better, more informed choice on the best care for you or your loved one.
Benefit #1: A healthier and safer environment
You might already know that aging at home allows can reduce your loved ones’ contact with potentially harmful illnesses and diseases.
This is an important factor to think about, especially since seniors who age at home have better health outcomes than those who live in nursing homes. Another factor you should think about is how your loved ones will feel about being moved out of their houses.
Homesick seniors have a higher risk of stress and depression. This can take a significant toll on their physical health and lead to a decline.
Keep in mind that aging in place allows your loved ones to maintain better emotional and physical health while decreasing their exposure to potentially life-threatening illnesses.
Benefit #2: Strong social and family network
Aging in place gives your loved one the unique opportunity to retain strong connections with their family, friends, and community. Unlike being in an assisted living facility or nursing home, your loved one can have their friends, family, and neighbors visit them anytime.
Benefit #3: Better memory
Helping your loved ones stay at home for longer has proven benefits to their memory and cognitive function. This is because being surrounded by familiar sounds, sights, and smells has proven benefits for your loved ones.
When your loved one is at home, they have the opportunity to be exposed to their family and friends, increasing their social activity. This has a great benefit to their cognitive health. Also, your loved one being surrounded by familiar sounds and smells helps increase their memory recall.
Benefit #4: Increased independence
Aging in place allows your loved ones to have access to the same comforts of home that they’ve always had. This is a huge factor in helping your loved ones maintain their emotional well-being and improve their quality of life.
Benefit #5: Significant cost-savings
According to The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in place can save thousands of dollars per month in care costs.
So, even if your loved one needed to modify their homes, it still outweighs the cost of the nursing home and its facilities. That’s because installing four in-home mobility devices is drastically less than one year in a nursing home.
Aging in place made easy: Everhome care advisors
EverHome Care Advisors makes aging in place easy. Discover how we can help provide your loved ones with unique, customer-centric care that’s both compassionate and comprehensive. Contact us today for a free consultation.