5 Tips to Help Aging Parents Stay in Their Home

As people age, they often face the difficult decision of whether to stay in their home or move to an assisted living facility. While there are advantages to both choices, more and more seniors are choosing to age in place. Remaining in one’s own home has a number of benefits, both practical and emotional. 

On the practical side, aging in place often costs less than moving to a facility, and it allows seniors to keep their familiar routines and surroundings. From an emotional standpoint, aging in place gives seniors a sense of control over their lives and can help to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness. 

No one wants to think about their parents getting older, but it’s inevitable. As your parents age, you’ll likely need to start helping them out more with things like household tasks and medication management.  

Here are five tips to help aging parents stay in their home for as long as possible.

5 Ways Children Can Help Their Parents Remain at Home

There are many ways that children can help their parents remain at home. Here are five ideas.

1. Make the Home More Accessible 

One of the easiest ways to age in place is to modify your home to make it more accessible – and you’ve got to start early. Findings from the National Poll on Healthy Aging suggest that many people in their 50s, 60s, and 70s want to stay at home as they get older – but need to do some serious work to modify their homes in order to do so.

The good news is that there are some simple, cost-effective ways you can modify your home without having to take a lot of time (or money) to do so. 

One idea? A stairlift. A stairlift is a chair that attaches to your stairs and allows you to safely and easily move up and down them. They can be a great option for parents who want to stay in their homes as they age but find the stairs a challenge. There are many different stairlift models on the market and the average stairlift price is probably lower than you think, so it’s important to do your research to find one that’s right for your home and needs.

Another way to make your home more accessible is to install grab bars in key areas. Grab bars can provide support and stability for those who need it when getting in and out of the bathtub or using the toilet. There are many different styles of grab bars available, so you can find ones that match your décor and needs.

One more easy way to make your home more accessible is to declutter. This will help create more space and reduce trip hazards. It can also make it easier for parents to move around their homes as they age. Start by decluttering one room at a time, and then move on to other areas of the house.

2. Provide Home Health Care

Home health care provides seniors with the support they need to live independently, while also giving their families peace of mind. Services can include help with activities of daily living, such as bathing and dressing, as well as more specialized care, such as wound care or administration of medication. 

In addition, home health care workers can also provide assistance with homemaking tasks, such as light housekeeping or preparing meals. For seniors who are struggling to maintain their independence, home health care can be a lifesaver, even if only on a part-time or limited basis. 

3. Install Remote Monitoring Devices

To help seniors age in place safely and independently, many families are installing remote monitoring devices in their homes. Remote monitoring devices allow parents to check in on their loved ones from a distance. 

For example, a parent can use a monitoring device to make sure that their elderly parent took their medication or to check the temperature of their home. Remote monitoring devices give families peace of mind knowing that their loved ones are safe and secure.

4. Subscribe to Home Delivery Services 

Home delivery services can play a big role in helping seniors stay in their own homes. By signing up for a home delivery service, seniors can have groceries, medications, and other necessary items delivered right to their doorsteps. This not only saves them the hassle of having to go out to the store, but it also helps to reduce the risk of falls and other accidents. 

Home delivery services can also be a lifesaver for caregivers who live far away from their aging loved ones. By making sure that seniors have access to the supplies they need, caregivers can rest assured that their loved ones are safe and comfortable.

5. Take Advantage of Transportation Services

As people age, they may find it more difficult to drive. This can be due to physical impairments, vision problems, or simply a decline in reaction time. As a result, many seniors find themselves forced to give up their car keys and rely on others for transportation. For parents who want to age in place, this can be a major challenge. 

Thankfully, there are a number of transportation services that can help. 

Blind and visually impaired seniors can use paratransit services, which provide door-to-door service using small vans or buses. Low-income seniors may qualify for free or discounted public transportation. And finally, many communities have volunteer driver programs that provide seniors with rides to medical appointments or grocery stores. 

By taking advantage of these services, parents can age in place without being isolated from the community.

Get Peace of Mind for Parents Aging in Place

If you’re like most people, you want your aging parents to stay in their homes for as long as possible. While this can be a difficult task, it’s not impossible with the right tips and support. 

Try some of these ideas to help your aging parents stay in their homes safely and comfortably.

Rebekah Pierce is a writer in upstate New York, just north of the Adirondack Mountains. She holds both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Education degree. In addition to writing, she also owns a farm, where she grows a variety of plants and raises chickens, pigs, and sheep. Her writing interests cover everything from farming and gardening to education, health and wellness, and business. She writes regularly for her own blog, J&R Pierce Family Farm, as well as for California Mobility.