Planning Ahead to Age in Place

Aging in place sounds all well and good;  we adapt our current living space to meet our needs as we age with the support of family, friends and community services.  But many seniors who remain at home begin to feel the effects of social isolation as they age.  About a quarter of Canadian adults over the age of 65 live alone, according to Statistics Canada’s 2011 Census and if the ability to drive or other health problems prevent regular socialization,  a sense of loneliness and depression may take hold.

It’s important to have a plan for aging in place.  Transportation is top on the list of things to think about when planning for the future.  Too many seniors let hobbies they enjoy drop away if getting there becomes an obstacle.  Caregivers, even from a distance, can help organize transportation as well as help to schedule opportunities to volunteer, meet with friends or attend a weekly church service.

Home care for seniors costs roughly $50 a day in comparison with $150 per day for long-term care, according to a report in the Huffington Post Canada.  However, aging at home is only possible with the help of an army of unpaid caregivers.  Balancing budget constraints with best care practices takes planning and support from a network of health care practitioners, family, friends and community service organizations.

Remaining at home in old age may be the best possible solution for an increasingly older population and to do it well will take planning and careful consideration for seniors who can expect to live on average 20 years past retirement age.  For more information about planning for aging in place, visit the Government of Canada website at: http://www.seniors.gc.ca/eng/working/fptf/place.shtml .