We often talk about the benefits of aging in place, but what exactly does that mean?  And is it for everyone?  Aging in place is an expression used to describe the act of remaining in one’s own home, or place of choice, as they age and the changes necessary to have this happen.  For instance, aging in place might involve making a home wheelchair accessible or allowing sensors to alert medical personnel should there be an accident or other measures that would afford safety and comfort for our later years.  According to Wikipedia, it is “the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently and comfortably, regardless of age, income or ability level.”

Why does this matter?  Well, for most of us, our homes are filled with memories, items that provide us comfort, a welcome place for family to visit, familiarity with the people and surroundings and, let’s not forget, independence.  As we get older, perhaps it is harder to navigate the stairs, get in and out of a slippery bathtub safely, maybe our memory is going just enough that we are concerned with using the stove or oven.  There are an unlimited number of things that change as we age and as we limit those things they affect our quality of life.  That is often when we, or our families, decide that perhaps we would be best served in some sort of senior community which can provide additional care and assistance.  Today, there are options for those that do not want to to trade our comfort and quality of life for safety.

In fact, numerous reports show that seniors by and large want to remain in their own homes as long as possible, some claim that over 90% of seniors wish to “age in place.”  The balance is how to do this safely while maintaining quality of life.  The good news is that there are numerous products available today that can make this possible without breaking the bank.  Some are obvious, making functional changes to a home to adapt to our changing needs and abilities, adding bars to a shower enclosure, acquiring lighter pots and pans, modifying a bed to rise or lower as needed, etc.  Others are more unique to our needs – perhaps sensors to ensure we are not forgetting to take our medicine, ways to alert loved ones if we are not getting out of bed, lights that are coordinated with a ringing telephone or doorbell as our hearing deteriorates.  There are computers that assist us in staying connected to our families and communities, various community organizations that deliver meals and ensure some contact, the list goes on an on.