Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Staying At Home As You Age

Staying at Home As You Age

 The aging of America is well underway. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 40.3 million Americans aged 65 or older at the time of the last census in 2010. The continued graying of America will very soon lead to a new demographic milestone. By 2035, older adults will outnumber children for the first time. The Census Bureau predicts that the number of people aged 65 and over is expected to hit 78.0 million.

 

Aging in Place

Not surprisingly, many Americans strongly desire to stay in their own homes as they get older. This is called “aging in place.” Aging Americans that are concerned about personal safety and other daily life tasks now have viable options that make staying at home and living independently possible. Successful alternatives to assisted living centers and nursing homes do exist. Some of the home care services Massachusetts offers include adult foster care (AFC) and other care that coordinates meal prep, errands and shopping, socializing and housekeeping. There are both non-medical services and skilled medical services available.

 

Non-Medical Home Care

 People who wish to age in place have varying levels of need when it comes to the services that will allow the individual to remain in his or her home. Non-medical care primarily consists of custodial care rendered by a home health aide (e.g., bathing, dressing, and eating); homemaker services (e.g., grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, and laundry); and companionship services.

 

Skilled Medical Care at Home

By contrast, in-home medical care consists of actual home health services given to patients by medically trained and licensed professionals as an alternative to receiving skilled care in an assisted living facility or a nursing home. This can include a wide variety of services, including monitoring vital signs, wound care, administering medications, blood work, and a host of other possibilities.

 

There are a wealth of home-based services that can allow you to age in place in the comfort and familiarity of your own home. Doing so can ensure that you have the peace of mind that comes with living in a warm, familiar environment throughout your life.

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