In years gone by, when someone began to show signs of getting older, such as arthritis or issues with memory, it would have been a simple decision for many family members; this person would likely have been transferred to what used to be known as an ‘old folks’ home.’
However, as time has progressed, care home places have become limited and are often only accessible to those with severe or enduring health conditions. This has led to many people in their senior years being able to age in place, which means growing old in their own homes with the help of carers and family.
So, why is aging in place becoming more common, and how does it help with wellbeing?
Keeping the Routine
Do you or your family members like getting up at 4 am to feed the birds in your garden?
Having a routine in place is common for people in general, let alone older people, and by allowing them to remain in their homes, these routines can be kept.
The benefits here are obvious; the person remains in control of what they do during the day and can plan tasks like cooking and cleaning in their own time. If, of course, they need help with daily chores in their home, this can be obtained by looking at home care sites like Alinahomecare.com.
Keeping In Touch With Friends
Loneliness is a hidden epidemic among older people. Many of them cannot leave their homes due to soreness and stiffness, as well as other issues that could be linked to memory.
Offering people support to stay in their homes allows them to stay in touch with their friends, which, again, will help them to feel better and will prevent isolation, as well as mental health issues and cognitive decline.
Familiar Surroundings
Staying in a familiar setting is ideal for most people and if someone is older, moving to a care home can take months to adapt to, even if there are no degenerative conditions. Staying at home allows people to keep hold of items that they have had for years, as well as provide a sense of comfort relating to being in their home.
Indeed, research has shown that if someone has a memory-based illness like Alzheimer’s, relocating them can cause the ailment to become more severe, so, if possible, it is best to keep people in surroundings that they know and have worked hard to build up.
Pets!
There are a few care homes across the world that will allow people to move into them with their beloved pets in tow. However, this is not as common as many would like it to be.
Having access to pets, whether they are a dog, a cat or even a budgie, can help tremendously with wellbeing, especially for those who are older and living alone. Pets can help with routine, and also provide a source of company, without judgement, both of which are crucial to good wellbeing.
So, if you or a loved one don’t want to say goodbye to Tiddles the cat, you should look into options for getting access to home care as soon as possible!
