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An Age-Old Question Older adults—and their grown children—often struggle with the decision of where to live out their golden years. The good news is there are more options now than ever.
Remaining independent may become harder as individuals grow older, but it’s no less important. Those wanting to stay in their own home as they age can access a multitude of services and specialized equipment to help them do just that. Those preferring to join a senior living community, where activities abound, can choose from a growing number of resort-like facilities. The key is to have discussions with aging parents about long-term care before health begins to decline. “Open the conversation respectfully, knowing they’ve got a lifetime of experience and a lot of pride, and they hate to admit they’re getting older,” says Lynn Miller, director of sales and marketing for Friendship Village Columbus. “Ask them, ‘How do you feel about things at home right now? How do you feel about how much you’re able to do around the house?’ And don’t wait until there are physical or cognitive issues. You want it to be a choice, rather than a requirement. Putting a plan in place helps you stay in control.” SHOULD THEY STAY? More than 75 percent of Americans age 50 and older want to remain in their homes as
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they age, according to the American Association of Retired Persons. “I’ve never talked to anyone whose longterm care plan was to go into a nursing home,” says Scott Emch, director of Friendship at Home, an affiliate of Friendship Village of Dublin. “People in their 60s and even their 70s think they’re too young to have a longterm plan because they’re healthy and aging well and still very active. … For some reason, people put off the long-term planning process and when something happens, they’re caught off guard. That’s what we’re trying to avoid.” Friendship at Home provides one-on-one, non-medical assistance to seniors in their homes—including vacation homes within the U.S.—for a fixed monthly fee, regardless of what amount of care is needed. “It’s getting out of bed, moving around, taking a shower, getting dressed, preparing meals, eating—and it’s 24 hours a day,” Emch says. Clients can also transition seamlessly to Friendship Village of Dublin at any time. The Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging provides free, long-term care consultations to those facing the challenges of older life. The Franklin County Office on Aging also offers services to help seniors remain safe and independent at home. Its Senior Options
program provides home-delivered meals, light housekeeping, personal care, adult day care, transportation and minor home repairs. Applicants must be at least 60, live in Franklin County and undergo an assessment of their ability to do daily tasks. Specialized equipment—such as stair lift chairs, raised toilet seats, ramps, grab bars and shower seats—can also be added to a home to increase safety for aging adults. “Those are all good and they can help people be safer, but there’s always a cost— and installation can be a challenge, particularly in older homes,” Miller says. Kristel Smith, director of admissions and marketing for Parkside Village in Westerville, says advocating autonomy for older adults can be a double-edged sword. “While you are aiding their independence by providing some of these devices, understand that it can sometimes create a hazard for them by encouraging that independence,” Smith says, noting showers are particularly dangerous for seniors who live alone. “If something happens, being in a community will give faster assistance,” agrees Miller. Daily phone check-in services are offered in select areas to ensure seniors living alone are doing OK, but safety is always key.
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By Nancy Byron