Aging-in-Place: More Than Home Accessibility
The population of Canada is not getting any younger: With a strong rise in the numbers of older adults and the “silver tsunami” approaching, aging-in-place is becoming a hot topic.
What is aging-in-place?
Simply put, aging-in-place is the decision to live in your own home for as long as possible, instead of moving to a medically supportive facility (i.e. seniors residence or long-term care) for your final years. There are many reasons aging-in-place has become more attractive for those entering their golden years, including research supporting the benefits of aging at home, the declining level of care in long-term facilities highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the increasing awareness of aging-in-place being a feasible option.
Considerations for living safely and comfortably in your own home
Most people think of home renovations, adding stairlifts, hiring home care, and/or community supports. But there is so much more to consider!
Health: I schedule regular appointments for physical, vision, dental, and hearing check-ups
Home: My home is in a location where I will not feel isolated in my later years and is close to services, friends, and family
Transportation: I am aware of, and have access to, alternate means of transportation if needed
Finances: I have thought about the kinds of support and services I may need to purchase as I age
Connections: I have considered how I would like to stay connected with my community
Safety: I know how to protect myself from fraud, abuse, and neglect
Supports and services: If I am a caregiver, I have a plan for self-care to help maintain my own health and well-being
Community: I know what programs and services (e.g. shopping, personal services, health and support services, and recreation programs) are available in my community
Partner: I understand how aging or changing needs could affect our relationship
Where to start your planning as you look forward
The Forum of Federal/Provincial/Territorial (F/P/T) Ministers Responsible for Seniors created a practical resource guide with videos, checklists, brochures, resources, and funding information. The checklists help you to identify areas for improvement, provoke conversations with loved ones, and create an action plan.
Occupational therapy and aging-in-place
If you would like further support working out what you might need for yourself or a loved one, an in-home occupational therapy assessment can help.
During this assessment, an occupational therapist (OT) will come to your home for typically one hour and will meet with you and any loved ones who share your home or who provide you with support in your home. You will discuss your current and anticipated concerns with completing daily tasks, and your goals for aging-in-place. You complete a brief physical, mobility, and cognitive screen (if indicated), and look around the home for accessibility considerations. The OT provides you with recommendations for:
yourself (i.e. continue daily walks, book an eye test)
your home (i.e. add a stairlift, replace bathtub with walk-in shower), and
your daily tasks (i.e. sit to save energy when cooking, use equipment to help you dress independently)
The OT can also connect you with community support and resources such as home care, grocery delivery, snow removal services, and accessible transportation.
What if aging-in-place is not an option?
OTs are experts in determining whether aging-in-place is a safe and realistic option for you. If it might not be the best choice, based on your unique circumstances, then your OT can provide information about alternate living options, refer you to appropriate services, and explore those options with you.
You may not need to move to long-term care; there are many levels of supportive living facilities which provide a range of services from independent living and only housekeeping support, to receiving full medical and care services.
If you feel as if you are not ready to make the move yet, OTs are trained in having those difficult conversations, gently and with care, with you and your loved ones.
Whether you are planning for one, five, ten, or thirty years from now, thinking about aging-in-place today can help you avoid unnecessary, expensive, and less-than-ideal decisions responding to a crisis later. Whatever the outcome, being proactive about aging and your future provides you with more options, gives you time to make a plan, and ultimately gives you more control and satisfaction of living your life on your terms.
The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) provides a searchable national directory of occupational therapists for all Canadians to find the occupational therapy services they need. You can search for an OT who can provide aging-in-place services.