Countries around the world are entering the aging society. We all need to plan how to live as older adults to enjoy the lifestyle we dream of. But how can we best plan our independence and well-being? And where, above all, should we live?
The new watchword for happy, healthy living as an older adult is “aging-in-place”. This concept means homes and communities that continue to delight us even as we get older. We can stay amid the people and places we love even if, for instance, we find it harder to get around.
Aging-in-place means a community that stays accessible, activities that we continue to enjoy, homes that remain comfortable, and support that’s there whenever we need it for healthy, happy, hassle-free living.
How to plan your life for “aging-in-place”?
Our ever-growing understanding of aging inspires “aging-in-place" residences, designed for us to live independently, happily, and safely.
The concept has been developed over the last 20 years. We can now start early to plan our lives as older adults by choosing a home that will always meet our lifestyle goals. Preparing early lets us choose carefully so we can live comfortably and free from worries. We can also ensure our family and loved ones live their best lives too.
3 Key Aspects of Aging-in-Place
Homes and communities for aging-in-place feature these elements:
- Health – Good health matters to everyone. As we age, we all need different levels of care. So comprehensive health services meet all health conditions, which can be divided into 5 levels:
- Self-reliant residents
- People with acute illnesses or who need urgent rehabilitation
- People receiving long-term care at home or in the community
- People who need complex care from a nursing home
- People who need palliative care.
- People – Our lives are enhanced by having a warm community to share fun times. An aging-in-place community should feature plenty of activities to enjoy with others. Services and support should ensure well-being and let us enjoy our favorite pastimes and explore new interests.
- Place – Our residences should suit our needs and ensure our safety. Our home setting should boost our comfort, with technology for ease and convenience.
5 Checks for Your Best Well-Being at 50+
When we get to 50, we may begin to wonder about our home and living environment. How can we ensure they let us live life to the full as an older adult?
- Will your home stay comfortable?
We can’t assume we’ll always get around as easily as we do now. But we’ll want to keep our independence both inside and outdoors. If we can't walk as easily as before, we’ll need an environment that can support our changing lifestyle and physical condition.
- Who’ll do the housework?
Doing household chores takes a lot of time and effort, especially in a large home. When we get older, we’ll need help to keep our home and surroundings in great condition. It may get harder. Who’ll be there to help us deal with it?
- How will you get around?
We can now do a lot online. But there will always be times we need to travel. Whether by car or public transport, how tough will it be? Can we keep our comfort and freedom?
- Will you eat well?
Eating healthily is vital for everyone. But it matters even more when we get older. Diet is critical when we’re ill or have underlying diseases. The right nutrition can have a huge impact on health. So we should ask ourselves: How can we be sure our diet meets our body's needs?
- How can we ensure our security?
When we get older, we can find it harder to manage our lives. Who can we trust to look after our property? Will our children help us? Or should we find experts to guide us and keep our property and home safe?
Ask yourself these questions to see if you can rely on your loved ones in old age. It might be time to start applying Aging-in-Place to find your ideal home...
Aging-in-Place Tips for Healthy, Happy Living
- Add light: Make sure every corner of your home is well lit.
- Use safe materials: Floors should be level. Avoid tripping hazards. Shock-absorbing flooring can prevent injuries from falls.
- Wheelchair aisles: Make your home convenient for wheelchair users. Have ramps and doors that are wide enough.
- Remove clutter: Don’t let furniture like doormats or center tables make it harder to get around.
- Reduce bathroom accidents: Have handrails in your bathroom plus shower chairs and non-slip mats.
- Assistive technology: Surveillance installations may add a phone or bell alarm to every room for emergency access. Or maybe install a home video camera with two-way conversation.
- Around the house: Keep the outdoor environment tidy, such as by trimming hedges and clearing paths.
Aging-in-Place in the Right Place at “The Aspen Tree”
Aging-in-Place isn’t just about residential design. The concept includes community design in all dimensions. There should be a good environment with security systems and full facilities for happy, healthy, independent living.
“The Aspen Tree: A Community for Healthy Living & Lifetime Care” was co-designed and developed with healthcare leaders such as Canada’s Baycrest to meet all the needs of older adults. Health expertise supports quality of life under the concept of Aging-in-Place to ensure your fabulous and fulfilling lifestyle.
Design meets your current and future needs, from your elegant residence to the impeccable services, amenities, and support that elevate your quality of life. A team of health professionals are on call 24 hours a day for your peace of mind.
Activities from yoga to swimming, singing, playing music, meditation, hydrotherapy, and time in the community’s enchanting gardens and forest complete your happiness in every dimension.
Live the life you’ve dreamed of as an older adult in a community that curates every aspect of your well-being.
Find out more at: https://mqdc.com/aspentree
Tel. 1265
LINE OA: @TheAspenTree or CLICK https://mqdc.link/3McO90m
References:
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/aging-place-growing-older-home
https://ageinplace.com/aging-in-place-basics/what-is-aging-in-place/
http://agingthai.dms.go.th/agingthai/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/edit-03122020-36.pdf
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0890406520300402
https://ageinplace.com/aging-in-place-basics/what-is-aging-in-place/
https://www.elderoptionsoftexas.com/article-aging-in-place.htm