Ninety percent of seniors prefer aging in place to living in an assisted living facility. However, you may be concerned for an older loved one’s health and safety as they seek to retain their independence. The following guide discusses what aging in place entails and how in-home care can help elderly parents enjoy their later years in familiar surroundings.

How Do You Determine if Aging in Place Is the Right Solution for Your Parents?

Discuss the Challenges of Aging in Place

When helping your parents decide whether aging in place is the right solution, consider their medical and personal needs, and discuss them openly and honestly. Living alone carries several risks, including experiencing falls, dealing with loneliness, and having difficulty maintaining health and routines.

As a senior's mobility and physical strength decrease with age, they often experience a heightened risk of sustaining injuries; some of these accidents could even be fatal. Over 3 million elderly people are treated for fall-related injuries every year. This danger is compounded and makes successful recovery harder to achieve when a person is unable to get up or reach a telephone to call for help.

Seniors often face difficulty adhering to medication schedules and basic hygiene. Many are also indifferent to or dismissive of the importance of their prescribed medications, increasing the risk of serious health problems and complications. Regular physical contact and socialization are important aspects of a healthy aging process, as well. Loneliness can harm seniors’ relationships with others. Isolation can also increase the risk of obesity, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, heart disease, and death.

How an In-Home Caregiver Can Help

Many families respond to these age-related issues by moving older parents into assisted living facilities, but this may not be necessary if regular help is provided at home. Discussing your loved ones' needs with them will give everyone an opportunity to determine a beneficial course of action.

Remind your parents that regular visits from an in-home care provider will allow them to remain independent; listen to their concerns and wishes, and respect their boundaries, as you navigate these conversations. A caregiver can support independence by providing transportation, assisting with food shopping and preparation, ensuring that medical and medication are met, and helping with bathing and personal hygiene. The presence of a friendly companion can reduce seniors' feelings of isolation, allowing them to enjoy greater satisfaction and contentment in their life.

Support your parents’ wishes to age in place by arranging compassionate in-home care services with A Mother's Touch In-Home Health Care. These professionals are located in Florissant, MO, and offer regular contact and assistance to residents throughout St. Louis and St. Charles counties. They’ll provide personal care services individually tailored to your loved ones’ needs to support their physical, mental, and emotional well-being, whether it's daily medication reminders and administrations or 24/7 live-in assistance. Call (314) 733-5100 to discuss your needs with a knowledgeable team member, and learn more about their services online.