Living Your Best Life at Home
Home is where the heart is. It’s the place where we’ve enjoyed the best moments of our lives with our spouses, children, family, and friends. Our houses are filled (sometimes to the brim!) with photos, mementos, heirlooms, and the things we have gathered over our lifetimes. Our homes represent our sense of place and make us feel safe. They connect us to our past and make us feel surer of our future. That’s why for so many of us, the thought of leaving our homes – simply because we are a bit older – just doesn’t make sense.In fact, one survey found that almost 90% (see pg. 84) of Canadians expressed the wish to “age in place” – meaning to remain in their home, living independently, rather than moving into an assisted living facility or nursing home. Still another study found that nearly 100 percent of Canadians 65 and older plan to support themselves and to live as self-sufficient as possible in their own homes for as long as they can.
The devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the senior population has further compounded the desire to stay away from adult care facilities. Tragically, more than 80 percent of the country’s coronavirus deaths during that first wave of the pandemic were connected to long-term care facilities. It is no wonder that people feel more comfortable managing their health and safety on their own. In the fall of 2020, about 72 percent of those who responded to a survey in Ontario and Quebec said they were now less inclined to live in a nursing home.For these and other reasons, aging in place appears to be the way forward for most Canadians. This positive trend includes many benefits. It can positively impact physical health, social satisfaction, financial security, and emotional well-being when we maintain our independence and remain in our homes as we age. And with proper at-home care and support, we can all enjoy these benefits for years to come.
When should you start making plans to age in place?
If you want to age in place, planning – sooner than later – is important because you never know how your needs might change as you grow older. So, as you begin thinking about your retirement, you should also establish your plans to age in place as early as possible.
Aging adults who want to maintain their independence should consider their finances, as well as their physical and mental health needs. And your plans should be flexible enough to adjust as your needs and circumstances change.
As we age, some daily activities that are essential to maintaining a functioning household become more difficult. This will vary with each person based on their specific physical limitations. For instance, if your eyesight is getting worse, you might have difficulties driving yourself to appointments or running errands. If you face mobility issues, it might not be easy for you to straighten up your home or maintain your regular activities.
Aging in place requires careful financial planning. Even though it might be more cost-effective overall than moving into a nursing home, you might still face unanticipated costs, such as home maintenance projects and upgrades or at-home medical care.
As you make your plans for remaining in your home as you age, you should consider the following:
1.Your health. Consider your current health – including physical, emotional, cognitive, and mental well-being – and what your future needs might be. Do you have any health issues that could grow worse with time? Are you physically active? Are you maintaining a healthy diet Based on your family history, are there health issues you could develop down the road? Do you drink or smoke? Do you regularly see a doctor? The more good things you do for your health now – the better you will likely feel as you age
2.Your home. It is, of course, essential to ensure you can stay in the house of your choice. Do you own or rent? Do you plan to own or rent a home after retirement? If you rent, can you remain in your rental indefinitely? What costs are associated with your home, and will they stay the same in retirement? Will
you be able to maintain a home as you age? Will you need to make any chnages to your home to adapt to changes in your health? You can find some helpful resources, including financial assistance from the Canadian government and special assistance for persons with disabilities.
3.Your transportation needs. As your physical needs change, it could affect your ability to drive safely. In Canada, at age 80, most provinces require various health assessments, including vision tests, to ensure that you can safely operate a vehicle. Some provinces may even require you to provide this information every two years. If you choose not to – or cannot – drive for any reason – consider some new alternatives for getting around. Do you have friends or family who can take you where you need to be? Are public transportation, ride-sharing programs, or senior transportation services available in your area? Some ride services, like those from Tuktu, are specifically designed to assist older adults who may need special assistance, compassion, or other sort of ride assistance.
4.Your finances. One of the most important pieces of planning for retirement is to ensure you have the
finances to pay for everything you need. This includes basic needs, such as your rent or mortgage, groceries, utilities, and health care, as well as your hobbies or travel plans. Also, consider whether you plan to work, even part-time, after your retirement and whether you’ll owe any debt. Look at what you’re spending now and anticipate a budget for your retirement based on lifestyle changes. Also, where will your money come from? Your retirement income will most likely come from the Canada Pension Plan or, the Old Age Security, an employer-sponsored pension plan, or personal savings or investments.
5.Your safety. Unfortunately, older adults are sometimes prey to online crimes and can be more vulnerable if they lack knowledge of technology. About 10 percent of Canadians 65 and older are victims of a crime each year, predominantly property or financial crimes. And about 1 percent of them even experience violent crimes. Do you feel safe in your neighborhood? Do you know how to protect yourself financially? Are you ensuring you have assistance when you take care of more difficult tasks around the house? Here are some great resources that can help you get ahead of issues related to driving, online security, and other common issues. There are also solutions available, like those from Tuktu, that offer in person help for older adults to ensure that they can get around safely, navigate online with ease, while practicing the best precautions for your safety.
6.Your personal connections. Do you have a social network of friends and family living nearby Maintaining these relationships and even forming new friendships through hobbies, volunteering, or other activities is key to aging in place comfortably. One study shows that having people to talk to and spend time with as you age improves your cognitive health.
7.Your spouse or partner. If you’re married or living with a partner, you must factor their personal and health care needs into your own plan. And their needs could be quite different from yours. Make sure you communicate with them.
So, when it’s time to make your plans for happy and healthy golden years – consider potential challenges and address them in advance. You’ll find that there are many resources to help you make quality aging-in-place a reality for you.
Tuktu can help you comfortably age in place
Although there are some challenges that you might encounter while living independently, Tuktu’s services can help you age in place safely and gracefully. Our network will connect you with members of your community who can help you maintain the independence and quality of life you desire.
Use our platform to find a local Tuktu who can help you with a range of tasks as and when you need, from personal shopping and running errands to technical assistance and driving you to places to simply providing companionship – essentially everything you need to live your best life in the comfort of your home. Tuktus are verified, trusted, and trained people in your neighborhood who are interested in providing on-demand services and in-home support. Tuktus are empathetic, friendly, and knowledgeable and love what they do. You can book services through a call, website or a mobile app. The convenience and simplicity of the Tuktu app lets you plan for assistance on your schedule – not someone else’s.
It’s that kind of freedom that helps you truly live your best life at home!
