Three Considerations to Keep in Mind About Aging in Place

Your dad wants to age in place. Aging in place is appealing to him for several reasons. Your dad already knows his neighborhood. He knows which businesses are best for his needs. He knows the roads to take to get from his house to his doctor, a grocery store, or his favorite restaurants. He knows his neighbors. 

 Aging in place should be his goal, but there are a few considerations to keep in mind. Make sure your family has discussed and has a plan in place if any of these situations arise. 

The Home’s Layout May No Longer Meet Your Dad’s Needs

Caregiver Osakis, MN: Aging in Place

 Sometimes, a new home layout is needed. In some homes, the bathroom is on the main level and bedrooms are upstairs. If your dad needs to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, he has to walk up and down the stairs in the dark. Is that ideal? 

If the laundry room is in the basement and your dad has a hard time managing stairs, what happens on laundry day? Is he wearing dirty clothes rather than try to get down to the washer and dryer? The layout itself may become an issue if he needs a walker and has narrow entryways into some rooms and closets. 

The Location May Not Be Ideal 

 While the neighborhood your dad was in was great when he drove, his needs have changed. He no longer can drive a car. He sits at home alone for days and even weeks if no one has the time to stop in. He’s isolated and it’s concerning. He isn’t in walking distance to stores, medical offices, or friends either. 

Not every older adult feels isolated in a rural setting, but some do. If your dad is used to coming and going and suddenly can’t, it can impact his well-being. 

Some Health Conditions Provide No Advanced Warning 

 There are some health conditions that don’t have early symptoms. Your dad may be fine one day and learning he has high blood pressure during a routine check-up. He could fall ill and not recover as well as he has in the past. He may need to have others helping out. 

If his health changes and he needs help, caregivers ensure he has help without having to move. His goals of aging at home remain the same when you hire caregivers to help with the activities he cannot handle. Call a home care agency to discuss how caregivers work with your dad’s changing needs. 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering a Caregiver in Osakis, MN please contact the caring staff at Alternative Senior Care today. Providing Home Care in Central Minnesota and Surrounding Communities. Call us Today (320) 352-3350.