As with many big life decisions, it is always a good idea to take all considerations into account before taking the next step. One of these might be choosing the right care for a senior loved one or even yourself.
It can be difficult to move out of your home, especially if you are still mentally and physically well enough to be there, but it is sometimes best to make moves pre-emptive of a decline to make the rest of life go a little more smoothly.
This piece will prompt you with some questions to help you determine whether aging in place is the right choice.
What is Aging in Place?
First off, it is important to understand what your choices actually are. Aging in place is one of the many options offered to seniors to ensure their comfort and safety in the later years of their lives. It is best described as a move while seniors are in relatively good health to settle into a new apartment and way of life before any debilitating issues occur. That way, if they do start to struggle with mobility, develop any health conditions, or need regular medical care, they will already be in the right place for it. There is no dramatic house move when someone needs to be settled the most, and there is far less worry trying to get hold of a medical professional or adapting a house. It is just all there, ready for whatever life throws at them.
Cost
One of the first things that are considered when it comes to any kind of assisted living, house move, or otherwise is the cost.. Your financial situation can often determine what steps you can take and when, and some assisted living programs can be quite expensive. You might be able to sell your house and use that money to move into an aging in place program, as that will essentially be your new home anyway, but it will in many cases be more expensive than remaining at home.
Health
Another important consideration for whether moving into an aging in place facility is the right choice is how your or your loved one’s health is, if you have any predicted health problems or have a prognosis for the future that might mean you will have to make some significant changes, then moving into an age in place facility is something worth being considered to help you manage in the future.
You will always have professional healthcare staff on hand whenever they are needed, ready to offer you specialist care and a personalized treatment plan. It will also be much easier to put plans in place to upgrade or downgrade your care as you need when you are already in an independent or assisted living facility. Another bonus is that you will not have to deal with sorting any of this out while you are already trying to manage your health, as it will be all done for you.
