Aging in Place
With so many individuals choosing to age in place, it is undeniable that there are many perceived benefits. The advantages, however, may not be as understood and documented as one might expect. Many older adults associate “aging in place” with positive attributes such as maintaining one’s autonomy and independence in a community that offers social connections and access to services. When an individual is able to age in their own home, they are granted a daily sense of familiarity, whether that consists of morning greetings from a household pet, contact with neighbors, or the ability to surround themselves with physical objects that represent cherished memories.
A familiar environment and place can contribute to an older adult’s sense of identity, can promote successful utilization of neighborhood services, and can help one remain socially connected thanks to the proximity of friends. Research indicates that higher satisfaction with one’s social network and neighborhood integration is directly correlated with decreased feelings of loneliness. In addition, perceived safety and sufficiency of neighborhood services is also linked to an older adult’s experience of loneliness. It is important to note that the opposite may also be true – if a person is less satisfied with their social network, is less engaged with neighborhood resources, and feels generally less connected to their surroundings, a person may actually feel more isolated and lonely and less satisfied with their aging in place experience.
Health and financial considerations may also factor into the perceived benefits of aging in place. For many, the perceived financial advantages of aging in place are a motivator to delay or avoid institution-level care. While the costs of all forms of long term care are undeniably increasing, research does suggest that providing care at home to those aging in place may be a more cost-effective option. Research also shows that millions of health care associated infections occur in long-term care facilities in the U.S. each year. Aging in one’s home can provide an alternative to nursing homes or long-term care facilities, therefore protecting older adults from health care associated infections that could negatively impact their health and/or shorten their lifespan.
