In survey after survey, Americans are asked about their preferred living situation in retirement, and the recent data is clear—they want to age in their current homes and remain in the familiar surroundings of their homes and neighborhoods. But a closer look at aging in place next avenue Claims this concept may have unforeseen long-term consequences.
quote a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines aging in place as “the ability to live safely, independently, and comfortably in one’s own home and community, regardless of age, income, or ability level,” write columnists Edd and Cynthia Staton, All potential factors should be considered before aging in place.
“Against the backdrop of this expanded definition, there are compelling reasons why home-based care may turn out to be a poor long-term decision,” the columnist wrote. “The most obvious scenario is where declining mental or physical health renders inability to Covering home health care costs.”
They say a major question should be the size and layout of the home where a person wants to live. , especially in terms of mobility.
For example, stairs may become more challenging because U.S. Census Bureau Data shows that only 10% of housing in the United States is “age-friendly.”
“An incredible 36 million older adults in the United States fall each year, which means someone falls every second of every day,” the column states. “According to the CDC, one in five accidents results in serious injury ”
Three-quarters of the incidents also occurred at home, the two wrote. They concluded that remaining in unmodified homes “poses increasing safety risks.”
Another, perhaps more intangible, aspect that aging in place can bring is the passage of time. Over time, communities that were once comfortable and familiar may change. Over a long enough period of time, people move away, and the physical fabric of the community changes as new homes are built or old ones are demolished.
“These changing circumstances can lead to social isolation, especially for the one in four older adults who live alone,” the column said. “Loneliness has long been linked to serious health conditions.”
In recent years, renovations have become a more prominent element of the aging-in-place conversation, including in the reverse mortgage industry. In some cases, a reverse mortgage can be an option to help pay for renovations. Some reverse mortgage companies also partner with specialized home improvement companies to help facilitate home improvements for seniors.
Recent data suggests that older Americans are “splurging” on renovations to better support aging in place, according to a May report from the American Association on Aging. Associated Press.
