“A house is a home when it shelters the body and comforts the soul.”
-Phillip Moffitt
Live long enough and you’re likely to hear (or make) these kinds of statements:
“I’ve lived in this neighborhood for 38 years and it’s just a part of me.”
“My knees won’t let me up the stairs these days–they’re too hard to climb.”
“You’re not putting me in a rest home…I’d rather die than leave my place.”
Faced with leaving home the alternatives are unknown and can be frightening.
Most of us desire to stay in our homes where we feel a sense of control and dignity. With some planning ahead, personal steps and the right kinds of help, you may increase the odds of doing just that.
Here are some aging in place tips from The National Institute on Aging:
What do I do first?
Think about the kinds of help you might want in the near future. Planning ahead is hard because you never know how your needs might change. Maybe you live alone, so there is no one to help you. Maybe you don’t need help right now, but you live with a husband or wife who does. Whatever your situation, start by looking at any illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, or emphysema that you have. Then talk to your doctor about how these health problems could make it hard for you to get around or take care of yourself in the future. Help getting dressed in the morning, fixing a meal, or remembering to take medicine may be all you need to stay at home.
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