Aging in Place

In 1945 the Second World War was officially over, and hundreds of thousands of military men and women returned home. It wasn’t until 1951 that the term “Baby Boom” was actually coined, but the phenomenon began almost exactly nine months after that September day. Although the official Baby Boom years are defined slightly differently between nations, they are pretty similar. In the US the period is defined as 1946 to 1964, in Canada 1947 to 1966, and in Australia the Baby Boom is described as occurring between 1946 and 1961. The important pieces of information for our discussion is just how much the infant population increased during those post-War years. Statistical evidence tells us the US experienced a 20% increase in births during the ‘Baby Boom’ years, while in Canada; there was an 18% increase. Of course the natural evolution of life means that today, more than sixty years later, society is seeing an expanding elderly population. All those Baby Boomers are now entering retirement age, the time of life where increased medical is inevitable and independence may be dwindling. For a generation of people who fought for freedom from oppression, the realization that their own personal independence may be waning must be very difficult. No one of any age or physical infirmity wants to be confined or unable to perform even the most personal of tasks, let alone those who took part in the last major World War. Thankfully, in December of 2011 the National Conference of State Legislatures along with the AARP Policy Institute (formerly the American Association of Retired Persons) released a report outlining the numerous benefits of a sponsored program of supporting the elderly in their desire to live in their own home for as long as is feasible. The report, “Aging in Place: A State Survey of Livability Policies and Practices” added tangible legitimacy to the idea of supporting seniors in their homes, rather than in medical environments. In fact, the Center for Disease Control has gone so far as to offer their official definition as follows: the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income or ability level. There are three general levels of Aging in Place. The first applies to individuals who have minimal needs, nothing urgent and do not require a lot of changes to the home. This would be most common for those who are still in fairly good health, reasonably mobile and perhaps just require things like a magnifier for reading, or a claw for reaching. The second level applies to those who have chronic conditions and require changes to the home, but do not generally undertake the changes with any urgency. For example those with diabetes or respiratory diseases may need regular home cleaning services, volume adjustments for the phone or doorbell, home care assistance with medications and perhaps a family member’s help with facilitating Medicare supplemental insurance plans. Even the simplest of changes can be a help. Like having kitchen cupboard shelves converted to deep drawers, it is much easier to pull a drawer out than reach to the back of a cupboard. The third level applies to those who wish to Age in Place, but their home requires dramatic changes. Sometimes the need for change in this particular level is abrupt, and other times it has been progressive. Either way, there are things that can be done to make the home safe and comfortable for the individual. For example, a raised toilet seat, a bath lift that fits directly in the tub and allows for safe and easy bathing, and support bars at frequent intervals around the home. There are so many products available for helping seniors live in their own home as long as possible and with peace of mind. Even though the AARP presented their report on Aging in Place just at the end of 2011, the concept has been in play for the better part of a decade. In Canada the concept is referred to as Aging at Home, and has benefited from federal government funding. In the US there is a massive support movement for Aging in Place, mostly from advanced education institutions and nonprofit organizations. By supporting seniors in their desire to live in their own home for as long as possible, younger generations are helping to ensure they will have the same choices and freedoms when their own twilight years come along. In creating a safe and comfortable environment for the elderly in their homes, we are taking pressure off the retirement living facilities, hospitals, and the medical industry in general. Plus, with happier seniors there are reduced episodes of depression and dementia. Aging in Place is an important initiative, for the aging Baby Boomers and future generations.