Planning for the Future

Have you heard of aging in place? If you are caring for someone with significant disabilities or are caring for an older adult who plans to remain in their home as they age, then you may be interested in what it means to age in place. Aging in place takes a long look at the potential pitfalls that come with aging and disability, such as the loss of mobility or vision, and puts a plan in action to alleviate as many hardships as possible, for both the caregiver and the one receiving care.

The planning associated with aging in place is hard because you never know how your needs might change. However, planning ahead will help you prepare for what you’re likely to need in order to help your loved one continue to remain at home for as long as possible. The first step is to think about the kinds of help your loved one may need in the future. Will they need ramps to get in and out of the home? Will they need a barrier-free shower, handrails in the bathroom, or lighting at the floor level to help prevent falls during nighttime bathroom visits? There are a multitude of solutions to common caregiver challenges.   

A few areas that you might want to consider include: transportation, money matters, toileting, bathing, entertainment, stair safety, monitors, door chimes and locks, behavior issues, and adult day programs. This list isn’t exactly exhaustive, but you get the idea. Even though your loved one may not need it now, thinking about their future needs will help you, the caregiver, come to terms with what to expect and how you might best handle the future as it unfolds.