6 Challenges of Aging in the Elderly

As they age, many older people want to continue to live in their familiar homes to maintain their favorite lifestyles. Although there are many positive aspects of living at home, it also brings some unique challenges. Understanding these potential challenges can help you prepare for your future retirement.

What is Aging Living?

“Aging living” means that older people choose to live at home rather than move to care facilities. This method is usually preferred by the elderly because the home is a familiar place and can bring more comfort.

The following are the main reasons for aging at home:

Better quality of care: Older people often receive more personalized care, including one-to-one help from employed carers or family members.

More comfortable living environment: living in their own familiar home, not only can maintain independence but also can recall the good times.

Lower the cost of living: The cost of living in a home is usually lower than going to a nursing home or an assisted living facility. Although there are still some fees, these fees are relatively small and do not require long-term payment.

Maintaining social contact: Living at home can help to maintain contact with the community and friends and relatives, and further improve the quality of life.

Challenges of an Aging Life

While many older adults choose to continue living in the home, this selection is accompanied by some unique challenges. Knowing these challenges and planning before making a decision can help you ensure that your family life is safe and enjoyable.

1. Housing Adaptive Renewal

One of the biggest challenges of staying at home is whether the existing living environment is suitable for old age. With the growth of age, the living environment originally suitable for young people may no longer meet the needs of the elderly. Common problems include mobility problems.

The following are some home modifications that may be required:
Enhanced lighting system;
Improve the entrance, remove the steps, or add the ramps;
Add understandable operating instructions for the equipment;
Expand the width of the hallways and doorways to facilitate wheelchair access;
Adjust the height of the sink and other fixtures;
Add a conspicuous contrast ribbon for the stairs.

These modifications usually require a certain amount of funding. If you live in a rental house, it may need to be restored after modification, which may bring additional costs. In addition to remodeling, the daily maintenance of the family also requires extra time and financial investment.

2. Physical and Cognitive Changes

As they age, older adults may face a range of physical and cognitive changes, such as hearing and vision loss, memory loss, arthritis, heart disease, and other disabilities. These changes may affect daily life, so you need to be prepared in advance.

When aging at home, family members or partners can help to remember the medication or deal with daily matters. In nursing facilities, nursing staff usually provide this support.

3. Social Isolation and Loneliness

Aging in the home means you may spend a lot of time alone or spend time with your partner. Although many older people like to remain private, prolonged social isolation may lead to loneliness, which can affect mental health. Isolation can lead to cognitive decline, a weakened immune system, and depression.

To meet these challenges, you can plan to stay in touch with family and friends, participate in community events, or use technologies such as video calls to maintain social interaction.

4. Insufficient support by the family caregivers

As they age, many older people rely on family members, especially children, as caregivers to help them with their daily routines. Carers have heavy responsibilities which may lead to care fatigue, which can affect the quality of care. Caregivers and older people can plan together to ensure adequate support.

For example, alternative caregivers could be arranged to provide help when the primary caregiver needs a rest or consider hiring professionals to share some tasks.

5. The Problem of Long-Term Care Costs

Although aging at home is generally more economical than living in a health facility, the cost of living may increase substantially with age. Certain services such as 24-hour home care, shopping, food delivery, transportation, etc. may exceed the regular budget. For the elderly who cannot continue to drive, especially in rural areas, public transport may be relatively scarce, so they need to rely on others for help or ride-hailing services.

6. Restrictive Social Programs

Some government and community-provided social programs can provide basic living support for older people, such as food, housing, and transportation. However, these projects often have limited resources and strict application conditions. Sometimes, even with support, the amount may not be enough to meet all the needs.

Still, through online platforms and government websites, you can find welfare programs for you that will help you live a better life in your home.

How to develop a suitable aging plan

Despite the challenges that aging brings, planning can help you enjoy a fulfilling later life. Here are some useful suggestions:

Assess current conditions: Consider your ability to move and predict possible future changes. You can make some necessary changes in advance, such as adding handrails to the bathroom to make sure they can be used in time when needed in the future.

Medical advice: Discuss potential health changes with your doctor and make long-term plans based on professional advice.

Maintain social interaction: Keep in touch with family and friends, participate in community activities, and avoid isolation.

Tips for Improving the Quality of Life

It is very important to maintain a good quality of life during aging. Here are some tips to help you meet the challenges of living at home:

Stay connected: Family, friends, and neighbors are your greatest resources. Consider communicating with them to see how they can help you, and vice versa.

Research resources available: While social services are limited, they can help you substantially. You can find more resources suitable for the elderly through the online inquiry.

Home renovation: through simple modifications, such as removing carpets, and adding anti-slip strips, it can effectively improve the safety and comfort of living.

Regular maintenance: Arrange regular home maintenance, such as mowing the lawn or checking home appliances, to ensure the quality of life.

Emergency plan: Prepare medical alarm equipment to ensure quick help in an emergency.

Improve life independence through Homerda medical alert devices

With aging, many older people want to continue living at home. Homerda Medical alarm devices can help you stay independent and help in an emergency. Whenever and wherever just press the button, and you can get timely assistance.

Homerda It can reduce the need for living in assisted living facilities while providing security for the elderly so that they can live in a familiar environment.