Home Care Assistance – The Biggest Mistakes Seniors Make When Aging In Place
More seniors than ever plan on staying in their own homes as they get older. There are many reasons why seniors are choosing to stay at home. Some just prefer to live independently. Others don’t want to leave the house where they have lived for decades. But seniors who want to age in place should also think about the practicality of living in a family home as they get older. Planning ahead can prevent a lot of heartache later on. And if seniors work on avoiding these common mistakes they are more likely to be able to live safely in their homes for as long as they want to:
Not Making Home Adaptations Now
When seniors are healthy and able-bodied it’s easy to put off thinking about the future. But seniors that are planning on aging at home need to think ahead. In the future there’s a good chance that they will lose some of their mobility. They may develop a health condition that makes getting around difficult. Or they may lose some of their vision or hearing. Making home adaptations now to make life easier in the future is something all seniors should do. Simple things like putting in handrails and grab bars can make living independently much easier in the future.
Not Having An Emergency Plan
Weather is getting more extreme all over the country. Seniors that want to stay in their homes should have a plan for emergencies like 100 year storms, floods, or even losing power because of the weather. One thing that seniors should plan on is getting home care assistance. Home care assistance is essential for seniors living independently. With home care a senior living at home has a better chance of getting through an emergency like a storm or a flood or a fire.
Not Keeping Up With Home Maintenance
Home emergencies happen, even to the most prepared homeowner. But seniors who have lived in their homes for a while should always be doing the necessary routine maintenance to keep their homes in good condition. That means having technicians come to check the furnace in the fall. And to check the roof once a year. Doing regular maintenance will keep the home in good shape as long as possible. That will give seniors and their families peace of mind.
Not Thinking About Security
When seniors have lived in the same neighborhood for decades they usually feel safe there. And in most cases they are. But these days it would be foolish for seniors living at home not to think about security. Seniors do have a higher risk of being targeted by criminals, especially seniors who are living alone. But seniors can make their homes more secure by installing security systems.
Digital cameras, motion detection lights, video doorbells, and other technology can keep seniors safe at home as they get older. Strong relationships with neighbors and help from technology provide great security for seniors.
If you or someone you know needs help with home care assistance in Grand Rapids, MI, contact Gauthier Family Home Care. We provide quality and affordable home care services in our community. Call us at (616) 258-2300 for more information.
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