After spending decades in the workforce, you’ll want to enjoy your retirement years. That’s the time to put your feet up, travel the world, and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
While that might be the dream, things don’t always work according to plan. You may, for instance, have to stay in the workforce longer than first anticipated. And the aging process might take a toll and make it harder to do the daily activities and tasks that were a cinch previously. Some people downsize by swapping their homes in the city, suburbs, or rural regions for nursing homes or assisted living centers.
There’s nothing wrong with making that transition — if that’s what you want. However, some elderly people choose to remain in their homes for as long as possible. According to one source, most Americans want to age in place and enjoy the independence of living in their homes.
The source cited an AARP survey showing that three in four, or 75%, people 50 or older would rather stay in their residences as they age. Meanwhile, approximately 4.1 million Americans turned 65 last year. While not all Americans automatically retire at 65, that’s traditionally the year when many call it a career and enjoy what life outside of the workforce has to offer.
Retirement is also a good time to evaluate living arrangements — whether to downsize their homes, sell their dwellings and travel the world, or move to a retirement community or nursing home.
If your goal is to age in place, here are three suggestions to help you maintain the independence you want for as long as possible.
- Assess Your Current Living Situation
Your first order of business is to assess your current living situation. Consider whether your home is suited to aging in place, if upgrades will be needed, or if it makes better sense to move to another residence.
Stairs might be an issue if you have mobility issues, doorways may need to be modified if you need a wheelchair, and flooring might need to be changed if you want your home to be safer.
- Make Your Home Safer
The next order of business is to get to work to make your residence safer. Slips, trips, and falls are among the leading reasons older adults get injured. Things to do if you want to age in place include installing railings on all staircases, installing grab bars in bathrooms, using non-slip mats, getting rid of hazards like clutter or loose rugs, and improving lighting.
Doing these types of things can make your home safer so you can age in place.
- Consider Home Modifications
It’s also worth going a step beyond renovations by pursuing home modifications. For instance, installing a walk-in shower or tub, or adding a home elevator or stairlift can be a game-changer. People have different needs as they get older, so implement whatever modifications are needed to make aging in place a reality.
One reason so many people wish to age in place is they feel more comfortable maintaining some autonomy and independence.
That’s important considering that nursing homes aren’t necessarily the safest spaces. While many who work in such businesses are honest, dependable, and care about the elderly people they serve, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some people who should never be in that line of work.
According to one source, a survey of hundreds of family members of nursing home occupants shows that almost one in four reported one or more incidents of physical abuse at the nursing home. Unfortunately, some of the most vulnerable in society suffer at the hands of caregivers.
That’s where a lawyer’s assistance can come in useful. If you spend time at a nursing home and are mistreated, you’ll want to inform your loved ones and call a lawyer who can help victims of nursing home abuse. Choosing not to age in place shouldn’t mean having to deal with bad nursing home staff members.
You may be able to avoid this sort of trouble by getting your home ready so you can age in place. It might make your golden year a little more golden.