5 Benefits of Aging in Place You Might Not Have Known

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5 Unseen Advantages of Aging in Place in Portland, ME

When given the option, most seniors choose to age in place rather than move to a retirement home. While the desire to remain at home is unsurprising, caregivers may be surprised by some of the unexpected benefits of aging in place. Here are five reasons aging in place benefits caregivers and seniors.

1. Saves Money

Aging in place is often more affordable than moving to a retirement home or assisted living facility, especially for seniors who have paid off their mortgage. Living in a retirement community can cost thousands of dollars a month, and seniors who remain at home can use the money they’ve saved on services that enhance their quality of life. 

Living independently is important for seniors who want to maintain a high quality of life. For some, this simply means receiving help with tasks that have become more challenging to manage over time. Even when families have the best intentions, they may not have the time to provide the care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. If your loved one needs help for a few hours a day or a few days a week, reach out to Align Home Care, a trusted provider of respite care Portland seniors can depend on.

2. Facilitates In-Home Care

In-home care is one of the most effective ways to boost a senior’s quality of life. Thanks to the many varieties of in-home care, older adults can find caregivers to suit their preferences. Seniors who lack the motor coordination for specific household chores can hire someone to do light housekeeping, those who have specific health needs can find a caregiver trained in dementia or Parkinson’s care, and some seniors just need help running errands.

Every senior has different needs when aging in place. Some simply need occasional assistance with household chores, while others may be managing a serious illness and require more extensive live-in care. Portland seniors can count on Align Home Care to provide the in-home care they need and deserve.

3. Offers More Comfort

Remaining in a familiar environment offers comfort and boosts mental and emotional wellbeing. Seniors get to sit in their favorite armchair, eat at their dining room table, go to sleep in their own bed, control the thermostat, choose what to have for lunch, and play their favorite music without risk of offending a roommate. These little daily decisions may be small, but they allow seniors to assert their independence as they age. When moving to a retirement home, many of these decisions could be taken away, leading to disorientation and depression.

4. Prevents Memory Loss

Cognitive decline isn’t always preventable. However, when seniors live at home, the comfort of their familiar surroundings doesn’t just boost their mood. The sensory cues older adults associate with their home, from the smells to the sounds, can also trigger memory and enhance memory recall. When seniors remain at home, their instinctive connection to their living space can keep their minds in peak shape.

5. Helps Seniors Retain Social Connections

When moving to a retirement home, seniors often benefit from the built-in community of peers. However, they may have difficulty staying connected with their current friends, which could be a major blow to their social network. Social activity keeps the brain engaged, and it’s important for seniors to stay in touch with friends and family members. Many seniors find that their social network is widest when they live at home. They can spend time with friends who live nearby and attend local senior events.

Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to an assisted living facility. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to Align Home Care, a leading Portland home care agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks. To create a comprehensive in-home care plan for your elderly parent, give us a call at (207) 835-3490 today.

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