Why Do Seniors Want to Stay in Their Homes (Age in Place)?
The question “why do seniors want to stay in their homes?” can frequently be answered with a single important word: familiarity.
Certain seasons of life are entirely unpredictable. Yet, they still have a way of bringing tough choices to the table.
Aging is one of those things that we all know is coming but can feel challenging to plan for in advance. For seniors and their adult children alike, one of the biggest challenges of the aging process is where to reside. That can be a particularly tricky topic when physical and mental changes come into the picture.
Questions of where someone should live out their golden years must also consider financial and personal considerations. Traditional options range from assisted living communities to nursing homes that provide around-the-clock care.
However, outside of all of these standard choices, many seniors see another way to go. Today more than ever before, seniors are leaning towards the idea of aging in place. Alongside that inclination, there is a long list of reasons seniors may want to remain in their homes for the long term.
Why Do Seniors Want to Stay in Their Homes Instead of a Care Community?
On the surface, staying in place might seem more difficult for seniors than transitioning to an assisted living community or other comprehensive care destination. That is often an argument for moving out when mobility issues or mental capacity is changing. However, questions of why do seniors want to stay in their homes almost always go far beyond mere convenience factors.
Aging in place is decidedly a much more personalized form of care. Families that hire home caregivers to help aging or elderly parents in their residence can request specialized services. It’s also a guarantee of one-on-one attention instead of having to work around a community of residents needing care.
The question “why do seniors want to stay in their homes?” can frequently be answered with a single important word: familiarity. The option to age in a space that’s familiar, comfortable, and filled with meaningful memories is understandably impossible to recreate in a specialized care community.
From an emotional well-being standpoint, staying in a place provides this level of familiarity. While physical and mental changes may not be avoidable, seniors are empowered to choose their consistent surroundings.
Similarly, many seniors find it simpler to move around spaces they already understand. Attempting to navigate an unfamiliar environment in such a unique time of life can feel impossibly overwhelming with good reason.
Financial Considerations For Aging in Place
In many cases, aging in place is a more practical financial choice for families. It’s not uncommon for the cost of a nursing home or assisted living community to simply be out of reach.
Many seniors find it’s more affordable to invest in the prospect of in-home care services than to find a place in a senior care community that insurance may not cover at all. Investing in turning a private home into a mobility-accessible space is often more cost-effective than care communities, as well. Installing safe walkways, grab bars, and beyond tends only to be a fraction of a person’s price for constant nursing home or assisted living.
Even More Reasons to Consider Aging in Place
Anyone who has ever moved to a new place understands well just how physically and emotionally stressful that experience can be. Considering a permanent move as a senior can be even more daunting.
Not only does it mean moving out of a well-loved home, but it means packing, transporting goods, and re-organizing in a community or care center upon arrival. A move of this type often requires the help of a significant number of family and friends. Overall, it can prove to be more stressful than it’s worth.
When wondering why seniors want to stay in their homes, it’s also important to look at questions of independence. For many people, even the idea of giving up a little bit of their freedom is unimaginable.
Seniors have spent entire lifetimes in control of their schedules, routines, relationships, and goals. There’s a deep-seated fear that moving to a community or care center means giving independence up entirely.
While this may be a false assumption on many levels, it’s a very real point of anxiety. Aging in place reduces this anxiety and provides seniors with a continued sense of control and empowerment well into their golden years of life.
Family Considerations and Benefits
Some seniors decide to age in place in light of family considerations. Staying in a familiar residence and utilizing the help of an in-home caregiver can provide adult children with incredible peace of mind.
Aging in place frees up time for extended family to visit seniors in a home that’s familiar to everyone and easy to access. There are no limited visiting hours and no need to worry about cleaning or cooking when an in-home caretaker is involved.
Similarly, the choice to age in place with a caretaker on hand gives family members a direct resource for keeping up with an aging parent’s changing physical and mental abilities. They’ll receive feedback on noticeable changes in real-time and can adjust care standards quickly and accordingly.
If you or your family member is considering in-home care as part of a plan to age in place, contact Family Matters In-Home Care today for a free consultation. Our team is dedicated to supporting your family and helping older adults enjoy life in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible.
Some of the services offered by Family Matter In-Home Care include: Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care, Bed & Wheelchair Transfer Assistance, Companionship, Housekeeping & Meal Preparation, Personal Care, Recovery Care, and Transportation.
Serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater San Diego, Family Matter In-Home Care has offices throughout California including: Campbell, CA, Roseville, CA, San Marcos, CA, and San Mateo, CA.
