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“Assisted Living” at Home

Aging ... Do It Your Way

by Cheryl Nemanic

Nearly one out of every four U.S. households (23 percent, or 22.4 million) provides care to a relative or friend aged 50 or older. The majority of these caregivers are baby boomers. In the twenty-first century the demands placed on family and other informal caregivers are likely to escalate, affecting nearly every American family. Since most persons prefer to stay in their own homes and live independently for as long as possible, this column addresses questions and concerns regarding these issues.

Q After suffering some health problems, I am finding it harder to keep up with everyday activities. I own my home and I’m starting to worry that a few years down the road I may not be able to function well enough to stay here. I’ve spent my whole life working hard to live my life the way I wanted to. I’m getting depressed thinking “what if I can’t keep up with the house, or get around so well. Will I be forced to go into a nursing home?”

A Gone are the days when the only alternative to living on your own was moving into a nursing home. Today an ever-widening variety of lifestyle choices are becoming available to seniors. The challenge for folks now is to become aware of their options, and then make choices about how they want to live.

For those who want to stay at home, there is help available from basic housekeeping, yard care and hourly or live-in personal care aids to skilled medical and hospice services. Homes can be made handicap accessible or equipped with devices that will check on them, remind them to take medications, and call for help if they’ve fallen and can’t get up. Senior centers, adult day care, trips, clubs, and even free college courses are just a few options for getting out of the house. And, by the way, transportation for seniors is available too.

If moving is the chosen path, some options are 50+ communities, independent living sites, personal care homes, Alzheimer or skilled nursing facilities. Some sites include more than one level of care so folks can remain in the same facility if their needs progress. Many also provide activities, clubs, transportation and much more. The environments vary, some are as lavish as 4 star hotels, others offer pre-fab homes or condos. Some are small with just a handful of residents, while others have 100 or more.

Assistance with planning or executing is available through geriatric care managers, companion or nursing services, elder law attorneys, financial planners, long term care insurance agents, reverse mortgage bank services, and personal placement services. There are folks that will help with home safety, home organizing or help move you and then get you settled into another home.

So take heart. With a little research and some planning, you can decide how you want to live. AGING YOUR WAY is not only possible, you can make it a reality.

Cheryl Nemanic, CCM, is the General Manager of Private Duty Services for Liken Health Care, Inc., a private duty nursing service in the Pittsburgh area since 1974. If you have a question, Cheryl can be reached by phone at (412) 816-0113, by email at cnemanic@likenhealthcare, or visit the website at www.likenhealthcare.com.