What is aging in place? The terms focuses on a variety of issues, the most important being the ability for seniors to age in their own homes and communities. Approximately 89% of older Americans want to stay home as they age. But for many, a lack of awareness of available resources may prevent them from doing so safely, or at all. To accommodate the desires of seniors, appropriate services for housing, transportation, socialization and health care needs must be made available and known to the community. The National Aging in Place Counsel (NAIPC) provides awareness and information about services to assist seniors in reaching their goal of aging in place.
This year, October 12-18 is National Aging in Place Week. The NAIPC has two main objectives of this special week of awareness. The first objective is to build lasting coalitions of allied business professionals in communities across the United States to assist homeowners with pursuing long-term care needs. Secondly, the NAIPC aims to organize educational activities to highlight home and transportation and housing that enable seniors to successfully age in place.
The ideal time to begin talking about housing and care needs is before the need presents itself. The baby-boomer generation is predicted to be one of the most active groups of older Americans. Family members of seniors, recent retirees and baby boomers should be proactive. Become familiar with the risks and specific issues seniors face. Then educate yourself on the available resources in your community for seniors care. Some of the local resources for information on resources for seniors include geriatric care managers, occupational therapists, architects, remodeling contractors, home health care companies, insurance companies, reverse mortgage lenders, elder law attorneys, and local public and non-profit organizations.
The National Aging in Place Counsel provides information on resources available to seniors as well as other senior related topics. Visit the NAIPC website for more information on issues related to aging in place such as promoting independence, making your home senior friendly, risks within the home, chronic health conditions of the elderly, geriatric care managers, transportation resources and consumer booklets.
Murphy Ortiz is the manager of Family Choice Home Care. Family Choice is a senior approved referral agency specializing in Live-In caregivers throughout New Jersey and Philadelphia. For more information, go to www.familychoicecares.com or call 856-273-7700
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