Many older adults feel somewhat torn when it comes to choosing between growing old at home, moving to a retirement community, or opting for a nursing home. Unfortunately, not all of these retirement care solutions are affordable, and each offers its own pros and cons.
In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of aging in place to help you make a decision with confidence.
The Pros
Aging in place refers to growing old at home while relying on live-in care services. Live-in care is often essential for maintaining quality of life as age degrades mobility. A live-in caregiver will assist with everything from household chores and preparing meals to bathing, medication reminders, and more.
That said, here are the advantages of choosing to age in place.
Affordability
While you will need a live-in caregiver, these services are exceptionally affordable when compared to the costs of retirement communities and nursing homes.
In addition to live-in care, it’s recommended to upgrade your home to make it more accessible. Upgrades like handrails, handrail lighting, grab bars, toilet seat raisers, automatic doors, non-slip flooring, and others are essential modifications that will drastically reduce the risk of slips and falls in your home.
But because these changes are all reasonably affordable, you won’t need to dip into your retirement savings too much to make your home safe and accessible.
Familiarity
One of the most common reasons older adults choose aging in place is familiarity. You won’t need to adjust to a new living environment when your care needs increase. Familiar surroundings make it easier to adjust to old age as you won’t need to adapt to a new space or part ways with memories that live on in your home.
Convenience
You won’t need to pack up and move in your old age to receive the extra care you need when aging in place. You can continue your everyday life while getting to know your caregiver. There’s no doubt that this is a far more convenient option than uprooting your life to move to a retirement community.
The Cons
While the pros of aging in place are quite compelling, it’s still important to be aware of the disadvantages of this option.
Isolation And Loneliness
Isolation and loneliness are prominent concerns among older individuals who choose to age in place. Unfortunately, you won’t have the connection of a retired community to spend your time with. However, your caregiver and loved ones can help eliminate this risk altogether.
Safety Risks
Even with a caregiver, a medical alert system, and the proper home modifications, safety is still a concern when aging in place. Because you won’t have constant monitoring of health practitioners as you would when moving to a nursing home, aging in place is a slightly less safe solution.
While aging in place is an affordable, familiar, and convenient option, you will still need to rely on live-in care and make essential modifications to your home for safety. Nevertheless, millions of retirees around the globe choose to age in place for a happy, comfortable retirement.
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