(Snippets from the frontline)
Aging in place
We must ensure seniors remain in their homes for as long as they and their loved ones feel comfortable and safe.
The cost of institutionalizing older Americans is prohibitive, and worse, the psychologic impact is devastating.
Doing housecalls over thirty years, I have learned how older adults sustain themselves in their home. As well, there are many innovators on the internet who focus on seniors aging in place. Therefore, here are some recommendations to create “Age-Friendly” homes for seniors:
- Single story;
- minimal steps inside and outside unit;
- ramp adaptable front and back door;
- wheelchair compatible doors, hallways, and floors;
- motion detector lights;
- padded floors (like used in gyms) better protecting someone who might fall;
- bathroom grab bars;
- roll-in showers;
- emergency pull-cords in high fall-risk areas;
- interactive in-home voice command centers easily turning on and off lights and appliances;
- automatic timed medication dispensers;
- WiFi accessible for cameras and monitoring, with potential use of robots.
Technology will allow much more.
Communities that are building and expanding should give incentives to developers creating “Age-Friendly” homes.
As we age, “Home Sweet Home” should be our mantra.
Gene Uzawa Dorio, M.D.
This is where costs come in. A part-time home health aide may be far less expensive than an assisted living facility, but if round-the-clock supervision becomes necessary, it is no savings. Discuss with a doctor how chronic conditions like diabetes, osteoporosis, or emphysema could make self-care a challenge in the future. At a certain point, an assisted living community where there is security, provided meals, and other amenities may be more cost-effective. That said, one reason most older adults decide to age in place for as long as they can is because it is the most economical option for them.