We have briefly touched on the concept of aging in place in the past although we’ve never really spent enough time on addressing the issue. That’s why today, we thought it important to talk about the issue that many of us will face as we grow older; that is the challenge of aging in place, safely and surrounded with access to any care needs we may have as we do. Why is Milestone Health tackling this tough issue? We offer a variety of Nurse and PWS care services that help some seniors and their families to make the choice to age in place with safe, supportive and compassionate care.
For many seniors, what we fear most is the ability to stay in our own homes or condominiums as we grow older. Our homes literally house our most treasured memories, it is where we are most familiar and perhaps we have both friends and family nearby. The upheaval of moving can be stressful at any age and perhaps you don’t feel that a permanent, long term care or retirement facility is where you need to be just yet but you DO need some support. Often we fear a facility dedicated to elder care because, as one specialist in the senior care industry recently said; “the root of our problems with long-term care is that we don’t value our elders or their caregivers. The way we are warehousing older people in large, institutional long-term care homes is inhuman, and the pandemic has laid this bare.” (1) Many view any kind of elder care setting as the “last stage” in their journey of life and for that reason alone would prefer to avoid it as long as possible. Add in other concerns that research has identified older persons have; such as the loss of financial independence, diminished physical ability, age discrimination in the community, losing a driver’s license, social isolation, bereavement or the fear of abuse and it’s no wonder that so many people, given the choice, would prefer to remain at home surrounded by the things and the people they love.
Milestone Health specializes in providing a variety of care solutions for you or your loved ones, with safety, dignity and respect – all in the comfort of your own home. We help support seniors who choose to age in place with programs that vary from light housekeeping and helping with grocery shopping; to bathing, dressing and personal care needs right through to complex medical care, physiotherapy, foot care and more. Our dedicated team of nurses and PSW’s will accompany you to a physician’s appointment or help with meal prep and feeding. Companion care, help after an accident and even palliative care are all part of the services we provide. Our dementia program helps to alleviate stress for both the person living with dementia, allowing them to live in familiar surroundings and relieves caregiver stress by providing much needed relief to family members caring for a loved one with dementia. You may even qualify for some support with funding the costs associated with our care services through your local health unit. We cover much of Ontario with caregiver support available in Burlington, Oakville, Halton Hills and in northern Ontario including Barrie, Orillia, Midland, Penetang and more.
Making the decision to age in place can be difficult when support is required and that’s why we exist – to help make that decision easier with our affordable and caring services. Here are some other ways that you can make aging in place a good decision for you, or someone you love.
Considerations for Aging in Place Safely
- Take advantage of the Home Accessibility Tax Credit and complete some renovations around the home to make it more accessible. Consider widening doorframes to accommodate a wheelchair or walker whether you are using one now or not.
- If you have stairs, think about a stair lift eliminating the risk of going up and down the stairs and experiencing a trip and fall.
- Minor renovations to a bathroom will significantly help with peace of mind and safety. Installing handrails in the shower and near the toilet will help with “on and off” and “in and out.” Non-slip mats in the tub and perhaps even a shower chair so you can sit as you shower are both good ideas.
- Consider removing some of your décor items that tend to add clutter and thereby increase risk.
- Also reduce excess clutter in the form of electrical wires, newspaper or magazine stands, and other items that sometimes take up space in and around our favourite chair and pose tripping hazards.
- Removing throw rugs is a good idea as they are an ever present tripping hazard.
- You may even wish to consider removing carpet altogether and installing wood or laminate flooring for a smooth transition from room to room.
- Invest in kitchen appliances such as kettles or coffee makers that have an “auto turn off” feature to help prevent the risk of kitchen fires.
- Rearrange kitchen cupboards and drawers so that most needed/used items are within easy reach eliminating the temptation to climb on a step stool.
- Always remain in the kitchen while you are cooking – even the best of us, at any age, can forget about an item on the stove. Bring a book to read and sit down in between but don’t leave anything unattended.
- Ensure the main areas of the home are well-lit and consider night-lights in the bedroom and/or bathroom to ensure safety in the middle of the night.
- Smoke alarms and carbon-monoxide detectors are a must in any home – make sure yours are up to date/code and tested regularly.
There are a number of excellent resources available online, both at Milestone Health, our sister site MHS Medical and through the Ontario and Canadian governments and other non-profit senior support care services. If you prefer the option of aging in place and it’s available to you in terms of your current physical health, proximity to loves ones and financial status, spend some time investigating all of the other supports available to you as well – including services like ours that will help you age in place safely, with dignity and compassion.
(1) Russ Christianson
