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Some people care for their garden until their last days with little to no help, while others might require a full-time nurse. When it comes to senior services, there are no cookie-cutter solutions. It all depends on a person’s needs and preferences.

There are four basic senior needs to take into account when evaluating the type and level of care your loved one may need.

• Medical Needs: Medical needs cannot be underestimated. These include current health and long-term health prospects. If the person has a degenerative disease, more extensive care will likely be needed eventually. The more complex the medical needs, the higher the level of care that will be required. Consider health status, medical history, chronic conditions and coexisting conditions.

• Behavioural Needs: Aging can cause in behaviour that can affect several aspects of life, depending on the case. For example, wandering tendencies or compulsions might need specific adjustments in the home or a caregiver or companion being present more regularly.

• Cognitive Needs: Cognitive abilities can be significantly affected by dementia or Alzheimer's, but they also tend to naturally decrease with age. This will impact on many daily activities that require decision-making, problem-solving, or other forms of reasoning. As a result, seniors may need assistance with specific tasks in their daily lives.

• Functional Needs: Functional needs cover all the daily tasks and activities a person is able to do during the day. These can include cooking, bathing, cleaning, transportation, financial management, hobbies, etc. The tasks can vary depending on the person’s cognitive, behavioural. and medical condition. They’re crucial because they directly influence a person’s overall quality of life.

The type of services a senior may need to age in place is defined by their requirements and their preferences. These can cover a wide range of options, and here are a few examples:

• Meal preparation and nutrition support: As we age, cooking can become harder, especially if we must follow a specific diet. This could mean using services that bring ready-to-eat meals or having somebody come to your home to cook meals and freeze them.

• Healthcare services: This could mean help specifically related to a disease or a health condition and support with medication and other treatments.

• Home modifications: These would ideally happen quite early in the process and address areas to make the house more suitable for aging in place. They could involve rearranging rooms so that essential spaces are closer or on the same level, adding ramps, or adding equipment or furniture that is more suitable for seniors.

• Caregiver respite: In many situations, a loved one will be the primary caretaker of a senior, whether they are living with them or not. Caregiver respite is professional help that provides regular visits to give the caregiver a chance to rest.

• Personal care assistance: Depending on their level of mobility, seniors may need help with bathing, dressing, grooming, etc.

• Housekeeping and maintenance: Keeping a house clean can be physically demanding, and many seniors may find it challenging to manage on their own. It could simply mean having someone come once a week to deep clean or workers to help with the yard if need be.

• Transportation: Transport could include somebody driving you for errands, access to public transport, or having a car that fits their needs if they are still driving.

• Companionship and social activities: Care at home can also take the form of companionship. This might involve someone visiting to play games, engage in cognitive activities, read, and more.

Other activities could require some assistance, such as managing finances, legal issues, or making appointments. If you are wondering what are the different levels of care for seniors, know that they can range from complete independence to needing care 24/7. Full-time and part-time assistants are both possibilities.

The key to age in place is to plan ahead. The earlier you start, the easier it is to make important changes and adjustments. For example, modifications around the house, such as ramps, rails and emergency systems, can be made well in advance.

The idea is to assess the current situation versus the future needs of seniors. First, evaluate the current living situation. Is the home suitable for the long term? If not, create a list of the necessary changes. Moving into a smaller house closer to services might be the best solution, although in some cases, a few renovations are enough.

Next, consider the senior’s community. Are there easily accessible services for seniors? What about transportation? If local services are limited, additional home care may be necessary.

With these points in mind, consider the specific needs of the individual and the appropriate level of care for seniors. By considering all these factors, you’ll be able to evaluate the home care required and the potential changes in living situation. This will give you an idea of the cost, allowing you to start drafting a budget as early as possible.

We often think of aging in place as a way to avoid having to move, but staying in a specific house isn’t always the best choice. Sometimes, staying in their home for a few more years will make the move more complicated if it becomes inevitable later. Here are five points to take into account when deciding if you should move or not:

• Transport: How accessible is the current house? How close is it to public transport or general services such as stores and emergency care?

• Level of work needed: Would the house require a lot of renovations to be suitable? Does the house need a lot of work in general?

• Community: Are there senior-friendly activities nearby? Does the person have friends or family close by?

• Budget: What would the budget be for adapting the house? How much would home care cost if they stayed in their home? Would it be different if they moved?

Aging in place is more accessible than people realize, even with a possibly complicated medical history. For many people, it’s also their dream. After all, you get to stay in a home you built and is filled with memories. With the right adjustments, a good plan and a careful assessment of needs, you can age in place or have your loved ones stay home for as long as possible.