Ageing in place means having the health and social supports and services you need to live safely and independently in your home or your community for as long as you wish and are able.
Planning can help you achieve this goal
The earlier you start planning, the more
prepared you will be to respond to changes that may occur as you age such as
changes in your health, mobility or social connections.
To successfully plan ahead, you need to start
thinking about how you want to live as you age and what steps you need to take
to achieve that lifestyle. When planning, you should also consider the
unexpected. This includes planning for what you would do if you had a sudden
onset of a chronic illness, developed a disability or had a change in
resources.
Making choices now will give you greater
control over your independence, quality of life and dignity. Over the next few
posts I will review some things you should consider when planning to age in
place:
Thinking about your home
A key step in planning for independence is
assessing your home to determine if it can meet your changing needs as you age.
Depending on your situation, you may want to
think about making changes to your home to help you as you age and to help
delay the need for a future move. For example, you may choose to widen doorways
in your home to allow access by a walker or wheelchair, or install a chairlift
or elevator.
If you decide that your home no longer meets
your needs or that you can no longer live safely and independently in your home,
learn about the options available in your community. These may include moving
into a more accessible or smaller home, or exploring seniors’ housing options
such as assisted living or long-term care. Be aware that different housing
options may have different eligibility rules. Here are some questions to
consider if you are plan on staying at your home:
•
If I want to live in my
current home as I age, what modifications could help me remain safe? (e.g.,
installing hand rails, a ramp, emergency response systems, etc.)
•
How will I maintain my home if
I need help? Are there services available in my community? Do I have the money
to pay for the services if I need them?
•
Do I need to move to a more
manageable home or consider a home without stairs?
