As they get older, most seniors desire to stay in their homes. Actually, it appears that all of my elder acquaintances, including my grandparents, parents, and older friends, desire to live in their own homes permanently! In fact, according to an AARP (previously The American Association of Retired Persons) United States of Aging poll from 2012, about 90% of seniors plan to stay in their existing residences for the next five to 10 years. Why do seniors want to stay in their homes?
Moving is stressful on both the physical and emotional levels, and many seniors are apprehensive about leaving their familiar neighborhood and family home full of memories. Add in the dread of losing their independence as well as the fear of visiting a new place they are unfamiliar with.
All of these are compelling reasons for seniors to remain in their homes. Learn more about why seniors prefer to age in place and the benefits and drawbacks of allowing them to remain in their homes.
Seniors’ Top Reasons For Wanting To Remain In Their Homes
Every senior is unique and has their own set of reasons for wanting to age in place, however, the following are the most generally reported reasons among seniors who desire to age in place.
1. The Stress of Relocation
Moving is one of the most stressful experiences in a person’s life, and stress can exacerbate cognitive or functional deficits. If a senior is moving, they are most likely downsizing, which can add to the stress. Furthermore, for many seniors, leaving a family home may entail going through decades of mementos and belongings.
2. Fear of being cut off from their community and losing their connections
Seniors are usually quite familiar with their neighborhood, and many of their relatives and friends reside nearby. Even if some of them don’t, they will undoubtedly know where their elder relative or friend lives and can pay them a visit at any moment. As a result, moving out may involve breaking familiar patterns, and some seniors may be concerned that doing so may further isolate them form lifelong friendships. Furthermore, leaving their close-knit society may cause disorientation, which can be difficult to recover at a later age.
3. Emotional attachments to their home, particularly their family’s home
A house is nothing more than a house, but a home is so much more! Anyone who has lived in their home for more than a few years has enduring memories; picture having decades of recollections in one place! It’s impossible to duplicate that. As a result, leaving a physical structure that has held decades of memories and is still the only site where family vacations and reunions are held can be quite difficult. Furthermore, having those emotional attachments aids in recalling memories that can only be found in their own home. Some elders may be unable to let go of these memories.
4. They are afraid of losing their autonomy
Seniors who age in place can enjoy a comfortable existence in their own homes, where they are accustomed to their surroundings. Furthermore, the freedom they enjoy in their own house is unlike anything else they may have experienced. Some elders may be hesitant to risk their independence at this time.
5. The dread of the unknown, as well as the fear of change
Changes and life adjustments are challenging for everyone, but they are especially difficult for seniors who have established routines in their lives. Fear of the unknown, more than anything else, can keep the elderly in their homes, frequently in dangerous situations. Seniors may be concerned about losing important relationships and being excluded from future family occasions and social gatherings. Alexi Seniors are best for senior living Chicago suburbs.
6. Concerns About Their Financial Situation
While most people think of health as the most significant factor as they become older, money is also vital. As a result, when deciding where to reside in their latter years, seniors may consider their financial situation. Moving has a lot of expenditures, especially in a market when house prices have fallen. Seniors are reluctant to sell at a lower price, even if they don’t have a mortgage.
The Advantages of Seniors Living At Home
- Freedom from the confines of a nursing home’s rigorous schedule.
- The ability to maintain their own autonomy.
- The comforts of staying in their most comfortable environment.
- They’ll be able to keep their ties to their community.
- They may not be able to maintain their personal belongings in a nursing facility.
- Allowing family and friends to visit whenever they choose.
- The ability to maintain their own particular routines and habits.
- A more healthy general environment, free of ailments that might be present in a clinical setting.
- Nursing homes and assisted living facilities are more expensive.
- The capacity to obtain specialist care in the comfort of one’s own home for a variety of conditions.
- Possibility of making beneficial changes to your home
- Because aging in place is less expensive, you can live on a tighter budget.
The Drawbacks of Seniors Living at Home
- The quality of care provided at home is inferior to that provided in a facility designed specifically for the elderly.
- The issue of safety is more pressing.
- Getting around will become increasingly difficult.
- The upkeep of your home will become more difficult.
- Loneliness poses a major threat.
- Associated Issues
What Resources Are Available To Assist Elders In Remaining At Home
With the spread of technology, seniors can now engage in services to fill in any gaps in their needs. If seniors begin to struggle with basic personal care, grocery shopping, cleaning their homes, and walking their dogs on their own, they can hire someone to assist them.
- When seniors need to get somewhere, they can use Uber.
- If they want to eat something other than their usual fare, they can hire a meal delivery service.
- When it comes to money management, most bills may now be paid online.
- If they need to be reminded to take their medicine, there are devices that can alert them when their next dose is due.
What Can Be Done To Keep Elders Safe In Their Own Homes
Falls are, without a doubt, the most common and costly mishap among seniors who live alone in their homes. As a result, the greatest way to prevent falls is to create a safer home environment. It’s simple to make a fall-proof home with a few simple improvements or alterations. Memory loss of any kind is fairly frequent among seniors, and this impairment greatly raises the danger of dying in a fire. Installing smoke alarms, according to experts, is one of the finest preventative measures because it gives the homeowner more time to flee.
It’s natural to be anxious about unforeseeable injuries, fires, or other health-related emergencies. Furthermore, as our health deteriorates, so does our ability to alert people around us to concerns or difficulties that require attention. Alexi Senior Living is well known for its services like home. Do you want to learn more about assisted living? Can assisted living kick you out? Learn more about it in another post. Now seniors don’t need to stay in their homes. They also provide senior living facilities. Need urgent assistance? Call us at (815) 534-5389.
