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| ==Aging in Place: The Home== | ==Aging in Place: The Home== | ||
| - | As the population ages new issues are coming to our attentions as we must develop plans to deal with the potential problems which may result. One of the trending movements in the aging communities is aging at home. Research as shown that the number one reason behind the aging populating wishing to remain in the home is to maintain the maximum level of independence they can, for as long as they can ( | + | As the population ages new issues are coming to our attentions as we must develop plans to deal with the potential problems which may result. One of the trending movements in the aging communities is aging at home. Research as shown that the number one reason behind the aging populating wishing to remain in the home is to maintain the maximum level of independence they can, for as long as they can <ref name="Joris"> Van Wezemael, J.E., Gilroy, R. (2007). The significance of demographic change in the swiss approach to private rented housing: A potential for ageing in place. Housing Studies, 22(4), 597-614.</ref>. It has been stated that as a person ages and passes various milestones, their location needs change, as such, an older adult is entering a new period in their life, and as such will face changes with their needs at home. These changes can be influenced by emotional attachment to the home structure, any necessary homecare that may be needed, finances and the structural layout of the home. |
| '''Emotional Attachment''' | '''Emotional Attachment''' | ||
Revision as of 00:55, 1 November 2011
Contents |
Group #11
- 1. Sarah Lane
- 2. Janice Harrison
- 3. Krystal McCord
Aging In Place
Aging in Place: The Home
As the population ages new issues are coming to our attentions as we must develop plans to deal with the potential problems which may result. One of the trending movements in the aging communities is aging at home. Research as shown that the number one reason behind the aging populating wishing to remain in the home is to maintain the maximum level of independence they can, for as long as they can [1]. It has been stated that as a person ages and passes various milestones, their location needs change, as such, an older adult is entering a new period in their life, and as such will face changes with their needs at home. These changes can be influenced by emotional attachment to the home structure, any necessary homecare that may be needed, finances and the structural layout of the home.
Emotional Attachment
There are three different terms that can all be used when discussing a place someone lives, there is a house, which is the objective space, a home which refers to the emotional attachment to the building and a dwelling, simply referring to a comfortable space (3). The importance of a house during older age can come down to the emotional attachment to the building, their home. At all ages, having a place to call home is important, somewhere familiar, and safe that you can return to at the end of the day. The home can hold place to a person's sense of identity, self-expression and belongingness (3) and may even contribute to positive health benefits (4). This importance of a home does not change as individuals age. Aging in place can provide the aging individual the opportunity to feel a sense of protection against determination as they age, may boost their esteem and can add to their sense of independence (3). Researchers believe that by aging in the home, the elder will age in a healthier environment, knowing the environment, having a social network and a sense of belonging will provide positive emotions and support while the individual ages and may need more support that they did when they were younger (2). While the world around them is changing, and their bodies are not working quite as well as they did when they were younger, a familiar home can provide the comfort and support an aging individual needs in their lives.
In-home care and finances
It is inevitable, that if an individual remains in their home for long enough, that they will at some point need some assistance in their living, whether it be for a short-time, or more long-term, it is an issue that must be addressed. Not only must the individuals find the in home support necessary, they must also find a way to pay for the added care. There are broad variations when considering what help may be needed to an aging individual, however when deciding if aging at home is that right option, one must explore all possibilities. Care that one can receive at home can range from someone coming in to take care of housework as the house becomes too much to care for, to someone coming into to help with daily activities, such as hygiene, transportation, control medications etc. Or, the individual maybe in such poor health that a 24-hour nursing service is required (4). If an individual does enough research, resources are available to help the aging community in all stages of aging (gov). For someone aging at home, it is highly likely that they will need to look into seeking some assistance while living in the home (4). However, with such intensive help, comes expensive costs. Currently, the older population spends a larger portion of their income on fuel and food when compared to any other age group (4). This is likely a due to the fact that much of the older population depends on pensions and many are facing a new way of living, as their spouses pass away (4). In an attempt to help with the financial strains that many elderly face, the Ontario government has developed a new "aging at home strategy" which will include more that $700 million in funding throughout the provinces with various health networks to aid seniors who are aging at home (gov).
Structural changes in the house
Knowing that many older individuals are looking to stay at home, while acknowledging that declining health and mobility is likely results in structural changes being necessary for the home in order for the individual to live comfortably in their home (5). There are some guidelines and standards set in place to make homes as accessible as possible. These guidelines include accessibility, ease of movement indoors and between levels, easy toileting and bathing as well as a controllable environment (2). These structural guidelines are put in place to ensure that seniors will have proper mobility and independence within their own houses for as long as possible (5).
Healthy and Happy Aging in Place: The Community
There are many factors within a community that need to be present for successful aging in place. Unlike many of the factors in the home, factors in the community are not as easily changed or controlled by the seniors that are affected by them. All of these dynamic and intertwined factors can contribute in some way to the physical and/or mental health of seniors aging in place, but can also be barriers depending on the community in which they live and the programs in place.
Much of the literature on aging in place references the utmost importance of creating and maintaining a reciprocal social network.[2] In truly reciprocal social relationships people need to feel a sense that both they and the other person are contributing to the social (phone calls and conversations) and care (shopping, household chores or yard work) exchanges that characterize our relationships, and the key relationships of seniors aging in place.
Although most of us consider neighbourhoods in a purely physical way, they are really very important social contexts.[3] These physical spaces provide key opportunities for seniors to create and maintain social relationships outside those of their families and/or immediate caregivers.[3] These can be important relationships because they can bring real satisfaction to seniors while expanding their social networks, and help them feel comfortable and safe in their home communities. Membership in a community is paramount to the health of seniors aging in place. It is a process of acting together to accomplish goals, identifying common interests and building relationships.[4]
The outdoor spaces on and around the properties of seniors, such as porches, back yards, and sidewalks can provide easy access to conversations with neighbours, who can be a key resource and social relationship for seniors.[3] Some seniors had baby sat for younger couples with children on the street, given advice and help in situations where they have experience and in return are invited for meals, and offered help with yard work, shopping and household chores. There is also an opportunity to develop relationships with other seniors in the community.[2] This can be especially beneficial to both parties, as they can understand more easily the help that someone aging may need, and have more time to spend as a social contact than other neighbours.
Favourite small grocery stores, butcher shops, fruit stands and local café’s, farmers markets and parks can also be key places where seniors develop relationships, not just with the other people who regularly use these spaces, but with the staff of the area as well, providing a ‘home away from home’ where seniors feel comfortable spending time.[3] These can be important places to feel independent, as they do their shopping, have coffee and visit with other locals to hear the latest news and discuss the ins and outs of daily life. They can have access to physical activity also, while shopping, walking and visiting their favourite local spots.[3]
While these areas can provide so much benefit to seniors, in many communities seniors are having trouble accessing these local resources and businesses, even within their own close neighbourhoods. The main barriers are safety and accessibility and that can affect many factors of living for seniors, such as transportation, and physical exercise.[5]
With many aging seniors unable to drive the options for transportation begin to dwindle.[5] Many older seniors are not comfortable using public transportation as it can be difficult and unsafe getting on and off busses, subways and street cars if you have a mobility issue or are a little unsteady on your feet.[6] This leaves the options of taking cabs to every outing, appointment and shopping excursion, which can become prohibitively expensive, or taking local volunteer transportation often offered to seniors, which can be limiting, as they mostly cover the essential services such as doctors appointments, and not much else.[6]
Walking, as both a mode of transportation and exercise can be unsafe if the sidewalks are broken, uneven, or in some rural areas non-existent.[6][5] Some seniors who do not live right in city centers may not attempt to walk if they believe it is too far, if they tire easily, or believe it is unsafe.[5] Also, in city centers with traffic lights that change quickly, and where people drive aggressively, seniors can be at higher risk for traffic related injury. Hearing or sight impaired seniors are at particular risk because not hearing traffic, or not being able to see crossing signals change can put them at extra risk for injury.[6]
As our population ages, cities will need to begin to consider some of these issues that affect the well being of seniors. Some municipalities have begun to do so with maps of services, green spaces and health care facilities provided to seniors, with improvements to infrastructure, and even with beginning to talk about what changes need to be made, consulting seniors in the process. Urban planning could be reinvented to make the design for transportation, infrastructure and green spaces friendlier to seniors aging in place.[7] Seniors can also find internet sites giving advice about planning for aging at home community resources.
Notes and References
- ↑ Van Wezemael, J.E., Gilroy, R. (2007). The significance of demographic change in the swiss approach to private rented housing: A potential for ageing in place. Housing Studies, 22(4), 597-614.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Riche, Y., & Mackay, W. (2010). PeerCare: Supporting awareness of rhythms and routines for better aging in place. Comupter Supported Cooperative Work, 19, 73-104. doi 10.1007/s10606-009-9105-z
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Gardner, P.J. (2011). Natural neighborhood networks – Important social networks in the lives of older adults aging in place. Journal of Aging Studies, 25, 263-271. doi:10.1016/j.jaging.2011.03.007
- ↑ Bookman, A. (2008). Innovative models of aging in place: Transforming our communities for an aging population. Community, Work and Family, 11(4), 419-438. doi: 10.1080/13668800802362334
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Dye, C.J., Willoughby, D.F., & Battisto, D.G. (2010): Advice from rural elders: What it takes to age in place. Educational Gerontology, 37(1), 74-93. DOI: 10.1080/03601277.2010.515889
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Chippendale, T.L., & Bear-Lehman, J. (2010). Enabling “aging in place” for urban dwelling seniors: An adaptive or remedial approach? Physical and Occupational Therapy in Geriatrics, 28(1), 57-62. doi: 10.3109/02703180903381078
- ↑ Vrkljan, B.H., Leuty, V., & Law, M. (2011). Aging-in-place: Exploring the transactional relationship between habitats and participating in a community context. Occupation, Participation and Health, 31(3), 151-160
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