You may have heard the term “aging in place” in our local
news last week, thanks to a new effort spearheaded by the Health Center. We, along with various entities and
individuals passionate about our senior population, have formed a coalition
called Aging in Place Livingston County.
The goal of the coalition is to educate residents about how
to create an aging in place plan, bring awareness about existing services for
60 and older—including a resource guide and learning series regarding aging
mastery; identify the need for additional services; and create a community
spirit of Aging in Place as a whole.
What is aging in place? Aging in place (AIP) is a term used
to describe a person living in the residence of their choice, for as long
as they are able, as they age. This includes being able to have any services
(or other support) they might need over time as their needs change.
The focus of aging in place is to help seniors ensure they
can live where they choose and get any help they need for as long as they can.
It is more than that, though. The goal of a person wanting to age in place
should be to maintain and/or improve their quality of life.
In order to do that, a good plan that focuses on quality of
life and covers self, home, finances, care and other items should be created as
early as possible. This plan should be maintained over time as the situation
changes.
Aging brings changes to us all. As a person begins their
aging in place experience, it is important for them to consider and plan for
the changes that will happen to them and what impacts these changes will have
on their lives.
Making these choices gives a person control over their
independence, quality of life and dignity. Planning also presents the
individual with an opportunity to lessen the burden on family members by
outlining how and where needs are met. As well as lessening the need for
emergency assistance from community resources.
An Aging in Place plan is not for ‘Old’ people. Let’s face it, we are all in the same boat
when it comes to aging, we’re just at different points in the process. Aging in Place should be a lifetime plan,
that adapts and changes as the need arises.
Creating an Aging in Place plan empowers to ensure their
quality of life and live it out in dignity, without being a burden to their
family or community.
Regardless of whether a person has retired or not, it’s always
a good time to plan. If you haven’t retired yet, it means you have time to
think about your needs, research your options and put together a plan that is
good for you and your family. If you have retired, putting the time in to
building a plan will help keep you in control of your life. Building a plan
will help you deal with issues you will encounter down the road and ease some
of the burden your loved ones will experience.
AIP Plans are also helpful to family and caregivers. It provides an opportunity to sit down with loved
ones and talk about how to ensure their needs are met and wishes are respected.
It also will helps provide the level of care that is right for them, and shows
respect by ensuring their dignity is kept intact and their needs are met.
Aging in Place Livingston County is currently surveying
county residents 60 and older throughout February. If you haven’t been surveyed and would like
to, please contact the Health Center at 646-5506.
Plans for the future include two health fairs and two memory
screening dates in May during Older Americans month; a resource guide for
seniors to be distributed in May and the development of an Aging Mastery
program to be implemented in 2018.
Source: AARP, Age In Place
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