How to Age in Place: Steps & Tips to Age at Home Safely
Aging in place allows elderly adults to remain in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes. However, as your loved one ages at home, challenges and safety risks can arise. And the answer isn’t as simple as moving your loved one into a nursing home or bringing them into your home.
For your elderly loved one, the idea of leaving their home as they age may stir up a lot of emotions— sadness, anger, frustration, and more. The good news is that with the right planning and resources, they can safely remain in their home as they age.
In this guide, we’ll explore what aging in place is, its benefits, and its challenges. We’ll also provide an aging in place checklist to help you start thinking about the right aging in place solutions (like professional in-home care for the elderly).
By the end of this article, you’ll have the tools and knowledge to confidently take steps toward creating a safe, comfortable, and fulfilling environment for your loved one.
The Benefits and Challenges of Aging in Place
Aging in place offers many advantages for seniors. For one, your loved one will get to stay in the familiarity and comfort of their home and maintain their independence. It will allow them to stay connected to friends, family, or other social events that can help keep them from feelings of isolation that can lead to declines in mental health. They’ll also get to maintain a relationship with their current medical professionals for continuity in healthcare.
But for all the benefits of aging in place, there are also some challenges:
Home Safety Concerns: Many homes are not designed with senior accessibility in mind. Stairs, slippery floors, and inadequate lighting can pose significant fall risks for older adults.
Difficulty with Daily Tasks: Everyday activities like cooking, cleaning, and personal hygiene may become more demanding or unsafe as physical abilities decline and require in-home elderly care.
Transportation Barriers: Losing the ability to drive can limit access to essential services, social gatherings, and community activities, increasing reliance on others for mobility.
Emergency Preparedness: Seniors living alone may face heightened risks during emergencies, such as falls, natural disasters, or health crises, without immediate assistance.
Fortunately, these challenges don’t have to be a hindrance to aging in place. You can help your loved one overcome these barriers and enjoy the benefits when they age at home.
How to Age in Place Safely and Effectively
Successfully aging in place requires proactive planning to ensure the environment and support systems are equipped to meet the evolving needs of your elderly loved one.
Are there areas in your aging loved one’s home that could pose safety risks, such as slippery floors or steep stairs?
Can your loved one easily get in and out of their bed?
Will normal daily activities eventually become too strenuous for your loved one to do alone?
Understanding both current and future needs can help you develop a clear, actionable plan to ensure your loved one stays safe at home.
An Aging In Place Checklist
With thoughtful planning and the right aging in place solutions, your elderly loved one can live at home in a safe, supportive, and comfortable environment.
Below is an actionable list of items to help you understand what you need to do for your loved one to enjoy the full benefits of at-home aging.
Enhance Home Safety
Install grab bars and handrails in bathrooms and along stairs.
Improve lighting in hallways, kitchens, and outdoor areas to reduce fall risks.
Remove tripping hazards like loose rugs and clutter.
Improve Accessibility
Add ramps or lifts for step-free access to the home.
Adjust countertops and cabinets to ensure they are reachable.
Create a first-floor bedroom to reduce the need to use stairs indoors.
Plan for Emergencies
Install a medical alert system for immediate assistance in case of falls or other emergencies.
Create an emergency contact list and place it in an easily visible location.
Ensure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are functioning properly.
Stay Connected
Encourage participation in local social groups, senior centers, or hobby clubs.
Arrange regular visits or check-ins with family and friends.
Utilize technology, such as video calls or social media, to maintain relationships.
Organize Daily Living Support
Identify tasks that require assistance, such as meal preparation, transportation, or housekeeping.
Coordinate with family members or professional caregivers who specialize in caring for seniors at home.
Ensure safe and reliable transportation to and from medical appointments, social events, or other outings.
Create a Long-Term Plan
Discuss future care preferences and financial arrangements with family members.
Explore resources like ongoing in-home elderly care services to ensure ongoing support.
Everyone’s situation and needs will be slightly different. But this aging in place checklist should give you a good starting point.
Professional Aging in Place Solutions
Aging in place is a rewarding choice for seniors who wish to remain in the comfort of their own homes while maintaining their independence. However, it requires thoughtful planning and a strong support system. From addressing home safety and accessibility to ensuring daily needs are met, preparing for your loved one to age at home can feel overwhelming. That’s why we created the ReadyCare Program—to help families navigate this journey with confidence.
Our ReadyCare Program provides families with essential information, tools, and resources to begin preparing for their loved one to age in place. All the downloadable resources are free, and we also provide free online or in-person workshops. In addition, our Care Managers are ready to talk with you to answer all your questions about aging in place and in-home elderly care.
Contact us today or visit the ReadyCare page to learn more, download resources, or sign up for a workshop.