According to AARP, nearly 90 percent of seniors want to stay in their homes as they age; 82 percent would choose to do so, even if they begin to need assistance. For many, this is what they consider to be “aging in place.” Yet, senior living options have expanded dramatically in the last several decades. Baby boomers are demanding more choices and amenities in where they choose live and grow older. Here are just some of the options available to older Americans who want to age in comfort and safety.
Staying at home / home care
Even with all the options available, many seniors still want to stay put in the homes they’ve lived in for years. Thanks to the expansion of home care services, this has become more possible than ever before. If you need some assistance in managing daily tasks, in-home care may make it possible for you to remain in your home. AMR provides in-home companions who are able to perform a variety of services, including personal care, transporting and accompanying people to medical appointments, preparing meals and light housekeeping, among others. The companions are highly trained and quickly become a part of the family.
House sharing
For seniors who want to stay in their home, but know they need some assistance, house sharing is an option. This style of living was popularized in the TV show The Golden Girls and, in fact, house sharing seems to be most popular among baby boomer women. Let’s Share Housing, an online house sharing service, reports that 80 percent of their clients are boomer women. House sharing may also include inviting a friend or family member to move in and provide help with transportation, maintenance and housekeeping in exchange for room and board. Or the senior may share a family member’s house by moving in with them.
Retirement communities and villages
Many seniors find they want to leave the hassles of home maintenance behind and lead a carefree life among people who share their values and interests. Retirement communities and villages offer seniors a great deal of independence, while having easy access to shopping, restaurants, banking and medical help, if needed. One senior village, The Villages in Florida, is the fastest-growing city in America, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. People who live in The Villages own their own homes while having easy access to healthcare, recreation and entertainment.
NORCs
Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) are also springing up across the country. NORCs were not originally designed to serve the specific needs of seniors, but evolved over time. It could be an apartment building where most of the residents are elderly or a community that attracts older Americans because of its amenities or demographics. Residents create a network of shared support services, either by helping one another or by hiring outside assistance for transportation to doctor’s appointments, grocery shopping, and other errands.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities
Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) combine independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing services in one community. The idea here is that, as your care needs change, you can “age in place” in the same community, so you don’t have to worry about moving even if you need greater care.
However you choose to age in place, you have numerous options available to you. AMR’s care management services can help can help assess your current situation and make recommendations on living options that will help you age well in a place you want to live.
In honor of national aging in place week, the National Aging in Place Council is holding its annual Virtual Conference on October 5-6. You are invited to attend this conference by phone in the comfort of your home or office. The theme will be “Organizing Your Community for Aging in Place.” You can register for this meeting here.
The Long Island Chapter of NAIPC in partnership with Stony Brook University will be hosting a local community forum on October 24 from 1:00pm-6:00pm at the New York Life building located at 520 Broad Hollow Rd. in Melville to educate as well as elaborate on ideas discussed at our national conference. This will be a collaborative effort to explore the many ways our community can work together to foster aging in place. CE’s will be offered to social workers. We invite you to join us for this important event.
Please email Laura Giunta, LINAIPC Chairperson, at lgiunta@amrcaregroup.com for further details.
