Since your goal is to remain in your home for as long as possible, your first step should be to conduct what is called a Needs Assessment. Essentially, this means that now is the time to step back and think hard about your future. Now is the time to take off the rose-colored glasses and be brutally honest with yourself about your future needs, wants, and capabilities. As an optimist, it is hard for me to say this, but you should plan for the worst and hope for the best. Remember the best outcome means you don’t have to leave, and the worst will most certainly force you out if you don’t have a good plan in place. Here are some things that you ought to consider.

Conduct Your Needs Assessment

Identify Barriers

There are several barriers that can affect your ability to age in place, and it’s important to identify these and develop a plan for addressing them. Here’s a general guide.

Assess current and potential physical barriers: Are there stairs that could be difficult to navigate? Is the bathroom accessible? Would the individual benefit from home modifications like grab bars, a stairlift, or a ramp for wheelchair access? You might need to consult with an occupational therapist or a certified aging-in-place specialist to do a thorough assessment.

Evaluate health conditions: Chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, or dementia can impact a person’s ability to live independently. Regular health check-ups can help manage these conditions and anticipate future needs. It’s also important to consider mental health, as isolation and depression can be significant issues for seniors.

Consider financial resources: Aging in place can sometimes be costly, especially if home modifications or in-home care are required. Seniors should review their financial situation and explore any relevant benefit programs or insurance options.

Check availability of support systems: Does the senior have family, friends, or neighbors who can provide help? Are there community resources or services available, like meal delivery, transportation services, or adult day care? Consider hiring a professional caregiver if needed.

Evaluate accessibility to essential services: Are grocery stores, medical facilities, and other necessary services nearby and easily accessible? If not, what transportation services are available?

Develop a Plan

Once you’ve identified potential barriers, you can develop a plan. Here’s how:

Address physical barriers: Make necessary modifications to the home. This could include installing grab bars in the bathroom, a ramp for wheelchair access, or widening doorways. Consider moving the person’s bedroom to the first floor to avoid stairs.

Plan for health and medical needs: Coordinate with healthcare providers to manage any chronic conditions. Consider hiring in-home care if necessary, and make sure there’s a plan for medical emergencies.

Organize financial resources: Review all income, savings, insurance, and benefits to ensure that you can afford to age in place. Consult with a financial advisor if needed.

Build a support network: Enlist the help of family, friends, neighbors, and community resources. Try to have regular social interactions to prevent isolation and loneliness.

Ensure accessibility to essential services: If necessary services aren’t easily accessible, find out what transportation services are available. Look into home delivery for groceries or medications.

Implement technology solutions: Technologies such as alert systems, telemedicine, and smart home devices can enhance safety and make aging in place more feasible.

Going for the Brass Ring

The most elemental thing we have to do is to get around. Mental decline is hit-or-miss, but physical decline (whether fast or slow), is inevitable.

So, if you really want to stay ahead of the curve, consulting with an Occupational Therapist can be the icing on the cake. In simple terms occupational therapy identifies your strengths and weaknesses and provides you with a plan to succeed today and prepare for tomorrow. Here are some ways it can enhance your ability to do so:

1. Home modifications: An occupational therapist can assess your home environment and recommend modifications to make it safer and more accessible, such as installing grab bars, lowering kitchen cabinets, and adjusting lighting.
2. Assistive technology: The therapist can also recommend and teach you how to use assistive technology, such as electronic aids for daily living, to help with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and eating.
3. Adaptive techniques: The therapist can teach you adaptive techniques to perform tasks more safely and efficiently, such as using a reacher to pick up items or a long-handled shoehorn to put on shoes.
4. Strength and mobility: Occupational therapy can improve your strength, flexibility, and mobility through exercises and activities, reducing your risk of falls and helping you maintain your independence.
5. Cognitive skills: Occupational therapy can also address cognitive and perceptual changes that may occur with aging and provide strategies to compensate for memory loss or confusion.

You may be in the best of health, but it never hurts to plan ahead. My Mother was 69, extremely active and was playing tennis when she had her stroke. Life immediately changed, but she had planned ahead.