Maintaining Independence.
Age-related physical and cognitive decline can make day-to-day life difficult. But with help from family, friends, and professional caregivers, you can maintain aspects of independence while still living at home. Most important of all you have control over your routine, activities, and life decisions. This kind of independence isn’t possible for adults who move to senior living facilities. In these facilities, residents have reduced control over their lives and routines. Many become dependent on nursing staff, who are forced to split their time and attention between multiple residents. By aging in place, you can maintain a greater degree of personal independence and able to live life as you see fit.
Familiar Setting & Routines.
The phrase, “home is where the heart is,” might be a timeworn cliché, but its sentiment remains as true as ever. A person’s home is the most important place in their life, offering a sense of familiarity, comfort, and security. For many, the emotional value of home is far more important than its monetary value. People cherish having a space that is truly their own — a space that doesn’t simply act as a home but actually feels like one. While some quickly adapt to facility living, many never truly feel at home in a nursing home or assisted living facility. Aging in place, meanwhile, allows you to stay in a familiar and cherished space. This is a critical and underrated factor in quality of life.
Healthier & Safer Environment.
In a large share of cases, many choose to live in nursing or assisted living facilities because they believe this will be safer and healthier than living at home. While true in some cases, this belief is often unfounded. Several studies have found that nursing home residents have worse health outcomes than those who choose to age in place, even if seniors are in similar health. There are several factors at play here. One is the emotional toll of leaving home. Homesick people are at higher risk of stress and depression, both of which accelerate physical and cognitive decline. Another reason is the risk of infection. Studies have shown that nursing home residents are at much higher risk of bacterial and viral infections, including life-threatening infections such as pneumonia. Aging in place tends to improve quality of life, which improves physical health. It also insulates from the bacterial and viral risks found in senior living facilities, reducing their chance of contracting a serious illness.
Cost-Savings of Living at Home
Nursing homes and assisted living facilities are often too expensive. In an assisted living center, a bed in a shared room will typically run between $10,000 to $20,000 per year, while a private room can cost upwards of $75,000. These costs can climb even higher in nursing facilities when requiring specialized care. Aging in place also comes with a price tag. Many need to modify their homes to make them safer and more livable. In a number of cases there may be a need to hire an in-home caregiver to assist with light housekeeping, routine errands, or activities of daily living. Despite these costs, aging in place is typically less expensive than living in an assisted living or nursing facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, those who choose to age in place can save thousands of dollars per month in care costs.