Senior to Senior: Aging in Place

The pandemic has given seniors a serious look at what lies ahead; aging in place versus a retirement community. Retirement resorts have become popular choices for those wanting a “swing singles” lifestyle, but in some cases, new concerns about “too much” proximity is making people have second thoughts. If the idea of rules, regulations, and threats of illness have you feeling a little claustrophobic, now might be the time to examine other options. The main option, of course, is to stay in your own home, although social isolation and lack of transportation may make you wonder if you could hack it. What do you think? If you have found, during these last few months, that you rather enjoy your own company, aging in place might be for you. What are you doing these days? If you are walking your dog every day, working on rediscovered projects, cooking healthy meals, reading the classics, or redecorating/reorganizing your house so that is just the way you like it, you may feel quite content. Many seniors, despite earlier oppositions, have discovered that they are communicating with family and friends now more than ever. New phones, iPads and other “new-fangled gadgets” have brought the world to their fingertips. You may have discovered that being “alone together” is not such a bad thing. Before the pandemic many people wanted to stay in their own homes, but few gave it as much thought as they should. Things to consider if you are going to stay home: • Would you consider wearing a Medic Alert System? • Would you be willing to renovate your home to make it more accessible? • Is public transportation available? • Would you be willing to hire home care if/when required? • Most of all; do you enjoy your own company? During the pandemic your home has become the center of your universe, as well as the safest and most comfortable place to be. Try to think of covid19 as a trial run. There are pluses as well as minuses; after nearly a year of keeping to yourself, you have truly had a taste of what aging in place might be like.