Transforming Aging in Place to Living in Place: 10 Key Themes for Thriving

Earlier this year, I began researching concepts related to “Aging in Place” & that’s when I realized that it really isn’t about age…as these themes appeared it became apparent that this information can be beneficial throughout the different seasons in our lives, which is how the concept of “Living in Place” emerged (more on that later).  

I asked a question in 2 different social media groups: a “sandwich generation” group (i.e. caregivers who have children and who are also taking care of their parents) & one that was more specific to in-home therapists, which included occupational, physical & speech therapists. “Given your knowledge & experience, what suggestions do you have to live in your homes as long as possible while aging gracefully?” I received over 250 responses and categorized them into the following top 10 themes (ranked in order from highest to lowest frequency of recommendations):

1.    Accessibility

This was by far the most commonly recommended theme that emerged with a large majority of suggestions indicating having one’s bedroom, bathroom and washer/dryer on the main floor or access to them via a stair lift or elevator.  Another key feature identified was the ability to easily access the home through the main door at the ground level or having a ranch style home with little to no step entrance. Other examples included: larger bathroom to accommodate caregivers when helping loved ones as well as to have enough room for mobility equipment, wider doorways to allow for wheelchairs & walkers to pass through, Closets & shelves within reach, access to the garden/yard, and utilizing technology such as through smart home devices to aide with controlling the temperature, TV, lights and for communicating through an intercom system.

2.    Safety Features

While there is some overlap with accessibility, this theme was geared more specifically to "safety" & injury prevention. These included bathroom safety features such as grab bars & shower chairs, technology specific to safety (i.e. smart home devices for security & devices to allow for calling for help), non-slip floors & removal of rugs, increased visibility through lighting, and clear pathways.

3.    Minimize & Declutter

This was another popular topic area, ranking in third and has some overlap with safety as decluttering can help to reduce tripping hazards and clearing pathways. Family members & in-home therapists recommended that unwanted items be donated and/or designated to family prior to catastrophic events.

4.    Location & Size of  Home

Caregivers & specialists stressed the importance of living near family for support as well as to live within near range of healthcare services (i.e. doctors, specialists, home health aides.) Many recommended downsizing to a smaller home to make it physically easier to clean & complete yardwork as well as associated reduced expenses compared to a larger home. A common area mentioned in the sandwich generation group related to planning ahead should one be unable to remain in their home by looking into graduated care communities: including assistive living facilities, senior apartments, skilled nursing facilities as well as condos that are all on one campus and include yard services, social opportunities & as well as care.

5.    Transportation

Related to location of one’s home, is access to public or private transportation services near home.  (Another important part of this is ensuring that your loved one knows how to utilize the public transportation service if they will be needing to use it.) Often times the ability to maintain a driver’s license & safely drive to appointments and to navigate in the community has a big impact on one’s independence. This can often be a difficult transition when a loved one is no longer able to safely drive themselves. Therefore, preparing ahead of time by having alternative transportation options can be helpful to be able to access health appointments, the grocery store, family & friend’s homes as well as to remain engaged in the community.

6.    Supportive Services

Arranging for supportive services such as lawn care, snow removal, housekeeping/cleaning as well as meal delivery can be beneficial when your loved one has a difficult time completing these tasks and if caregivers are not able to assist in these household activities.

7.    Relationships

This was a topic that was brought up a number of times by individuals in the home health group. They stressed the importance of investing time with family and friends to develop relationships. Another recommendation was to also engage with people from varying age groups as we can all learn & grow from each other.

8.    Engage in Activity

Members in the home health group expressed the importance of staying physically active as well as engaging in hobbies & leisure activities.

9.    Documentation

This was a topic that was brought up in the home health group. They recommended being up to date on paperwork (i.e. Wills – notarized, finances, passwords, beneficiaries, family history, photos with associated written obituaries). Communicating preferences in writing such as: routines, favorite foods, allergies etc… is also helpful for home health aides to provide quality care.

10.  Create Space for Family/Caregiver

Members in the sandwich generation group expressed the importance of a separate space in the home for caregiver and home health therapists recommended converting a space in the adult children’s home for their aging parent.
 
In our journey through life, our homes become more than just places to stay; they are extensions of who we are. Whether we are parents caring for our children, adults tending to aging parents, or retirees seeking a high quality of life, the concept of "living in place" resonates. 

These recommendations highlight that creating a supportive home goes beyond just safety features and age. It emphasizes the essence of "Living in Place" – actively experiencing and enjoying life within your home & community throughout the different seasons of your life. These shared insights from caregivers and therapists can act as a helpful guide to prompt sometimes difficult conversations in order to ensure our homes are not just places to survive but to serve as functional and supportive environments to nurture a fulfilling journey in life.