Elderly Canadians overwhelmingly prefer to age at home. In fact, 96% of Canadians say their home is their first choice for growing older. While aging has many stages and steps, there are some priority areas to immediately consider for you, or your loved one, as you prepare for this journey.
1. Home is the Centre
Safety and ease of use are key needs that evolve as we age. It’s important to assess your current environment to identify where modification may be needed. Environment hazards such as clutter, loose carpets, or slippery surfaces are obvious places to start. A homecare agency can conduct an audit of the living environment and make recommendations to improve access and increase overall safety, bringing fresh perspective and a depth of expertise that will help to maintain your home as the safest, happiest, most meaningful place to be.
2. Physical Support
As we age, certain tasks around the home can become more difficult. Having a clear plan and appropriate resources available to assist in everyday chores is important to maintain independence and remain living at home. Homecare services can help with needs such as cleaning, organizing, and maintaining the home environment. It can also be more wide-ranging, including physiotherapy, or exercise support. Maintaining mobility is key to aging in place, and continued confidence to go for a walk or other activity is a key value of external support.
A homecare professional can help clarify the various types of physical support available, ensuring that your needs are met today, and into the future, so that you can confidently engage in the activities most meaningful to you.
3. Cognitive and Social Support
Isolation is one of the leading issues that accelerates cognitive decline or depression. Having regular visits from a friendly caregiver promotes engagement, and social interaction. A cup of tea, a conversation about current events, a trip to a garden, or a game of chess – we all have individual preferences but whatever type of social engagement is meaningful to you, a homecare professional can help facilitate it.
4. Transportation and Accessibility
Support for transportation to the grocery store, the park, or medical appointments is important for maintaining independence. Birthdays, graduations, or holidays are meaningful social events that no one wants to miss out on just for a lack of transportation. A homecare agency can help create a calendar of key outings, ensuring that proper transportation is organized in advance of an event.
5. Specialized Needs
Chronic conditions, or specialized care needs can be a strain or simply beyond family members’ capabilities. A homecare professional can help clarify the type of training, or special certification, that may be necessary to appropriately support aging-in-place. It is always a good idea to confirm that Certified Nurses and/or Registered Private Nurses are part of a homecare company’s resources, Individual care plans should always be tailored to meet your, or your loved ones, specific needs.
“Ageing is just another word for living.”
A free care consultation is often the best way to begin your homecare journey. During this no-obligation session, a nurse or care consultant will help identify your or your loved one’s specific needs. This process involves discussing health conditions, daily routines, personal goals, and funding options in order to develop a tailored care plan. At Stay at Home Nursing, we use this opportunity to ensure every client’s care aligns with their unique circumstances and preferences.
Please reach out to us – we want to be part of this journey for you!
