Team Up to Age in Place with Ease
According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census report, we’re aging at a faster rate than ever before.
So just how old are we?
- From 2016 to 2021, people aged 65 plus rose 18.3% to 7.0 million – 1 in 5 Canadians
- Number of people aged 85 and older has doubled since 2001 and could triple by 2046
Baby boomers want to age in place and remain in their home and the community they love for as long as possible.
Does this describe you or your parents?
This article discusses what it takes to age in your home well into your older years and how you can:
First, let’s explore whether our age is an indicator of our ability to age in place independently.
Age in Place Longer Following the Blue Zone Principles
It’s no surprise the healthier we are, the easier it is to age in place in our own homes. Although two 75-year-olds may be the same chronological age, their biological age may be very different.
A recent Netflix documentary entitled “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones” explores how individuals in the blue zone regions live longer independent lives than the expected average.
Living in an intergenerational home in a community structured to support the integration of the following principles in daily routines is foundational to aging in place and longevity.
Eat wisely * Improve resilience to stress * Get adequate sleep * Keep strong family ties * Stimulate strong community support * Respect for the planet * Having a purpose in life
Nourish your body, and it will nourish your soul.
Anonymous
North American culture does not have the same built in support from family and community that blue zone regions do, so aging in place safely requires awareness and courage to admit you need help.
Recognize When Support is Required to Age in Place
Two ways you can assess your ability to live on your own safely is to see how well you demonstrate:
1. Basic Physical Independence
If you cannot manage the following without assistance then you need support with basic physical independence*:
Use the toilet * Eat * Dress * Bathe * Groom * Get out of bed * Get out of a chair * Walk
2. Activities of Daily Living
If you cannot manage the following eight Independent Activities of Daily Living then you require support to live safely on your own.*
Shop for yourself * Prepare your own food * Maintain your housekeeping * Do your laundry * Manage your medications * Make phone calls * Travel on your own * Handle your finances
Whether the support needed is to address physical or mental health concerns, there are many public and private resources that provide in-home services. It’s not easy coming to terms with the fact that we may need help to do things we did effortlessly all our lives. What’s critical is to take that important step and ask for help.
Being able to ask for help and let others in is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Dale Carnegie
Recognizing help is required, what does it take to age at home safely with grace and on your terms?
Successfully Age in Place with the Right Team
Easing into your older years requires building a robust, complementary team. Your personalized team can help you integrate the blue zone principles into your lifestyle.
No easy task, right? It takes research to find affordable, trustworthy providers.
Let’s explore how the following services can help you live your older years with vitality and purpose.
Household Maintenance
Housekeeping * Handyman * Lawn/Gardening * Safety/Accessibility *Technology
Team members can help with property maintenance inside and out, renovations to include safety features, and offer technology support to keep you connected to your family and friends.
Transportation
Medical appointments * Errands * Events/Theatre * Salon/Spa * Visiting family and friends
Avoiding medical appointments, missing out on social events or visits with friends leads to isolation and anxiety. Knowing you have support to get around is vital to health and wellbeing.
Health and Personal
Grooming * Bathing * Taking Medication * Shopping * In and out of hospital * Physio
Support with taking medication properly, basic physical independence, and activities of daily living allows you to live safely in your own home with stability and reduced stress.
Financial
Paying bills * Making deposits * Managing assets * Tax return prep * Account reconciliation
As we grow older, many of us lose our ability to manage our finances. Finding a trusted provider to help keep your financial affairs in order protects your nest egg and keeps the lights on.
Nutrition
Grocery shopping * Meal preparation * Managing dietary restrictions * Nutritional food delivery
Depression, health issues, isolation, all contribute to loss of appetite. Support to help you eat wisely, maintain a healthy weight, and avoid harmful substances will fuel your body and spirit.
Social Activities
Companionship * Exercise classes * Community groups * Volunteering * Hobbies * Clubs
Support with exercising your body and brain and staying socially connected will keep you healthy. Equally important is living a life with purpose through volunteering, hobbies, and clubs.
It takes a village - this African proverb meant raising a child - today it also applies to supporting an aging population.
Conclusion
Canadians are aging at a faster rate than ever before. We’re staying healthy, working, and living longer. And we want to age in our own homes with grace and on our terms.
Integrating the blue zone principles into our lifestyle will help us live independently in our own home.
Recognizing when we need support and building a personalized team will allow us to safely remain in our homes longer.
Do you or your parents need help building a team to age in place safely?
There are many resources available to help you in the Greater Toronto Area in Ontario. Here are some providers to get you started:
- Fluid Senior Transitions – helps you identify and plan the support you need
- Tuktu – ad hoc services -transportation, shopping, meal preparation and more
- Financial Concierge – help with managing daily financial matters
- Inclusive Aging – aging in place and safety, accessibility consulting
- Downsizing Solutions – help with decluttering and/or moving
Did this article help you decide if you want to age in place in your own home?
If shared retirement living is your preference, learn about alternative living arrangements from our blog articles here: Shared Living Homes – An Alternative to Large Retirement Establishments and NORCs – A Personalized Retirement Living Option in Your Own Community.
Share your story with us. We’d love to hear how you or your parents are successfully managing aging in place.
Financial Concierge™ offers Professional Executor and Power of Attorney services to assist with executor, attorney duties or help with managing daily financial activities. Learn more about Financial Concierge™ here.
Author: Janet Jackson, Contributor: Jill Chambers
DISCLAIMER: This blog is not intended to be legal or financial advice and should not be construed as anything other than for information purposes.