Considerations for Aging in Place

It is common for people to want to stay in their own homes as they age, rather than moving into a retirement community or assisted living facility. One’s ability to do this largely depends on their condition as well as the kind of home they have. But in general, it is possible to plan ahead for “aging in place” if you get an early enough start.

This planning can be difficult in some regards, because you cannot know for certain how your needs will change in the future. But there are services available to help you cover your basic needs. Consider the following:

• Chores: If you need help with chores such as yard work, laundry, cleaning the home or going grocery shopping, you will find services available to you. Many stores allow you to place orders over the phone or through apps and have your items delivered. You can find landscaping and cleaning services, or rely on the assistance of one of your adult children.
• Meals: Staying on top of cooking can be difficult, especially if it’s just for one or two. Rather than relying on eating out all the time, you can find meals at local senior centers or churches, or have meals delivered to you from meal delivery programs.
• Healthcare: There are devices and apps available to remind you when to take your next dose of medication. It can also be beneficial to have someone take you to and from your doctor visits.
• Personal care: If it’s getting harder to perform tasks such as showering, washing your hair or getting dressed, you might consider having an aide or relative help you.
• Home adjustments: You’ll find it easier to age in place if you’re able to make some adjustments and upgrades to your home, including lifts for stairs, more handles in bathrooms and on walls, adding carpeting or non-slip flooring and implementing other types of accessible features.

To learn more about how you can make aging in place a more feasible possibility, contact an experienced Tampa, FL estate planning lawyer at BaumannKangas Estate Law.