7 Reasons to Consider Aging in Place

As people age, they are often perplexed about whether or not they should seek out a retirement facility, or continue to live in their own home. Some folks who are into frugal living like the financial advantages that aging in place brings. Others just like to be in control of their day to day routines. While these options are certainly not easy to judge as right or wrong for any given person, it's important to consider some key factors before making a final choice in either direction. Here are seven reasons why you should consider aging in place.

1. Aging in Place Creates a More Fulfilling Lifestyle

Whether you're into frugal living, enjoying your home, or just controlling your lifestyle, aging in place is perhaps the best option for those who are aging. When you stay in your home, you give yourself the ability to structure your routine in a way that is meaningful to you. This is not always possible if you are living in an assisted care environment or facility. Even something as simple as celebrating your birthday can have an impact on your day-to-day living environment. Did you know that a recent survey showed that 71% of participants love celebrating their birthday, at any age? When you're not able to take in these kinds of simple pleasures over the entire length of your life, it's far more likely that you will find yourself on the road toward unhappiness. Aging in place can give you the kind of control and peace of mind that is needed to maintain health, happiness, and well being long into old age.

2. Aging in Place Can Help Prevent Injuries

When you are certain of all the different considerations in your home environment, you can prevent falling and other behaviors that may lead to injuries. An estimated 25% of elderly people will die after a broken hip resulting from a fall. This means that avoiding the kinds of random factors and disturbances in your routine that can lead to injury is of the utmost importance to anyone who is aging. When you age in place, you can make changes and alterations to your home that make it safer, thus leading to a lesser likelihood of injury occurring as you go about your day.

3. Aging in Place Can Give You More Control Over Your Healthcare Options

Anyone who is aging will want to pay close attention to their healthcare coverage. Yes, it is definitely possible to require minimal medical care when you're aging, but it is not unusual to require more healthcare in your later years. Aging in place may give you greater access to the kinds of doctors and medical professionals that allow you to remain happy, healthy, and comfortable as you age.
On average, 19% of U.S. households visited a retail medical clinic in the last year. Even if this figure may seem small to you at first glance, it's important to consider your own relationship with your healthcare provider. Does living at home and aging in place give you a better chance of getting the care you need? Or are you better off seeking out a retirement facility? These are questions that only you can answer, but they are certainly important to address before you make a final decision on your living arrangements.

4. Aging in Place Is Often More Comfortable

When you're aging, you have to consider just how important it is to be comfortable and relaxed in your living environment. While it is certainly possible to be comfortable living outside of your own home, you can never have the same level of control of your environment. When you live in a public facility with other people around, there are just too many unpredictable factors to prepare for. Everything from your restroom routine to your sleeping habits can be more closely customized when you age in place. After all, roughly three-quarters of people say they get a more comfortable night's sleep on sheets with a fresh scent. If you aren't able to control factors such as these, then it may be much more difficult to maintain your own desired level of comfort as you age.

5. Aging in Place Can Save You Lots of Money

It comes as no surprise to discover that the costs associated with seeking out a retirement facility or an assisted living facility can be quite high. Those who are interested in frugal living may want to consider aging in place for this very reason. When you consider the costs of daily meals, environmental maintenance, and other miscellaneous expenses, it's often quite advantageous to remain at home as you age. After all, who doesn't like the idea of maintaining their frugal living habits as they grow older?

6. Aging in Place Helps You Maintain a Social Life

One of the hardest parts of the aging process lies in the potential for loneliness. Because loneliness is so tough to deal with, it's critical to maintain strong social bonds and community relationships throughout the course of your life. When you age in place, you give yourself access to the same familiar friends and neighbors that provide you with social interaction on a regular basis. This is one of the best benefits of staying in a community where you know the people around you. Many people assume that growing old means losing out on social connections, but that is only true if you make it so. People of all ages can continue to enjoy healthy social lives regardless of their circumstances. Staying at home and aging in place may just make it easier to maintain your social, community connections with others.
Whatever your motivations for aging in place, it's a good idea to consider all the advantages and disadvantages before you make a final choice. For some people, aging in place is a perfect choice, but for others, it may be better to choose to live somewhere else. As you long as you stay true to your needs and your goals for your life, you should have no trouble figuring out which option works best for your particular situation. Good luck!