Safety & Planning
Most older adults strongly desire to stay in their homes as they age. Nevertheless, concerns arise when these individuals start to exhibit signs of slowing down or difficulty with stairs and other daily activities. Yet, if their physical and mental health remains stable, there’s often no immediate need to explore additional support services or alternative living arrangements for aging parents. This is an ideal time to evaluate the home for safety and accessibility to cater to the future needs of your loved ones, anticipating potential age-related disabilities.
Assistance and resources are readily available.
The societal awareness of elder care needs has increased dramatically, leading to an explosion of services and products tailored to their needs.
This increasing demand extends to:
- Home modifications — adapting homes for elderly accessibility
- Emergency alert systems and technology
- Motion detectors to track movements
- Telehealth services — employing home-based computer systems so healthcare professionals can monitor vital signs
- Medication dispensers with alerts for medication timing.
- Visit frequently and at varying times of the day and night.
- Observe daily activities that pose challenges and consider modifications for safety and convenience.
- Remove slippery rugs that may cause falls and relocate furniture with sharp corners.
- Ensure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are functional.
- Bathrooms can be hazardous for the elderly. Installing grab bars by the toilet and shower can prevent falls. Local hardware stores often have easy-to-install options.
PLANNING
For most of us, planning for our elder care seems unnecessary. However, this oversight can have significant personal and financial repercussions on us and our families.
Many aspire to maintain our independence, secure quality healthcare, and ensure financial stability as we age. To achieve these goals, a comprehensive and realistic plan is necessary.
Unfortunately, many people fail to prepare for long-term care. This lack of preparation can strain the person’s family, leading to sacrifices in time, money, and lifestyle. Given the changing demographics and potential alterations in government funding, the current generation must plan for long-term care well before it’s needed.
If asked, many older adults would express their primary concerns or life aspirations as follows:
- Medical attention and financial stability meet daily needs without outliving assets and income. Planning can help to alleviate these concerns and desires.
- We are financially protected by insurance. Long-term care has the greatest impact on the lifestyle, finances, and security of the elderly. The crisis jeopardizes lifestyle goals.
- Planning time can save the elderly's family time, money, and way of life. Because of demographics and government funding, long-term care planning is required.
Key Facts Underlining The Need For Long-Term Care Planning:
- The fastest-growing demographic in America is those aged 85 and older, who are the most likely to need care.
- Medical technology advances allow people to live longer, often with chronic health conditions requiring long-term care.
- The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that around 46% of people aged 85 and older may develop Alzheimer’s or dementia.
- An estimated 60% of people will need long-term care at some point.
- Families are more geographically dispersed than in the past, making long-distance caregiving more challenging.
- Government programs that provide long-term care services are already stretched thin and will face further challenges as the population ages.
American 85-year-olds are the fastest-growing demographic. This group requires the most attention. Population statistics for the United States in 2008. Medical advances are extending life but deteriorating health and increasing the likelihood of long-term care. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 46% of 85-year-olds will develop dementia. 60% of the population will need long-term care. Long-distance caregiving is difficult or impossible in today’s dispersed families. Long-term care services will put a strain on already underfunded government programs.
The process of long-term care planning should focus on these key principles:
- Proactive preparation leads to the best outcomes.
- Financial readiness expands your options for care and providers.
- Engaging professional help can alleviate stress, reduce conflict, and save time and money.
- Developing a written plan accepted by all parties ensures a successful outcome."
