Informative essay

Keeping Seniors in Their Homes
As people age and their abilities decline it becomes necessary to evaluate their living arrangements. Many do not wish to leave their homes. In recent years, there has been a trend toward people staying in their homes as long as possible. There is a wide variety of services available to help seniors stay in their homes but they must accept some changes to their homes and ways of doing things. Where does one start when facing the aging of a parent or other family member?
The family of the aging individual must determine the areas they may need help in. The Medicare website offers a “Long Term Planning Tool”. It asks for information about the individual’s health problems and abilities with various activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, walking and preparing meals. It also asks for some financial information then will show types of help you may need, how to find it and information on financial assistance. (“Long Term”)
To begin looking for services locally, each county has a department on Aging which is a good place to start. The Jackson County Department on Aging has a resource list with 26 different categories of services such as home medical equipment, home delivered meals and transportation. The staff of social workers, counselors, certified family life educators, home care specialists and nutritionists will assist families in determining the services they may need. (“Jackson”)
In order for an aging person to stay in their home some changes might need to be made for their safety. According to the National Resource Center for Supportive Housing and Home Modifications, falls are a leading cause of death for older Americans and half of all falls occur at home. Typical hazards that cause falls include loose throw rugs and clutter that obstructs pathways.(“Home Modifications”) Steps to take which help avoid falls in bathrooms are installing grab bars by the toilet and shower, using a raised toilet seat and use only non-slip rugs. If the person will be using stairs make sure stairs have hand rails on both sides. Light switches should be located at the top and bottom of the stairs and the stairs should be well lit. Throughout the house remove objects and clutter from walkways and remove throw rugs. (“Individuals”)
Changes that may need to be made range from the simple and inexpensive things listed above to altering the structure of the home, or “home modification”, which can become costly. The National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification defines Home Modification as “the conversion or adaptation of the environment in order to make performing tasks easier, reduce accidents, and support independent living.” Typical renovations that may be needed are building a ramp to the door, a walk in shower which eliminates the need to step into a tub and wider doorways that will accommodate a wheelchair. (“Home Modifications”)
Once safety has been addressed then consider assistive devices. Assistive devices are tools that help elderly or disabled do the activities they have always done but must now do differently. Assistive devices include those for mobility like canes, walkers and electric scooters. Lever style door handles and larger cabinet handles are easier for arthritic hands to operate. Single lever faucets are easier to use. Telephones and clocks with large, lighted numbers are available. Most of these items are available at local home stores. (“Assistive Technology”)
The next area to address is services that are available to help keep seniors living in their homes. The National Institute on Aging publishes a guide called “There’s No Place Like Home –To Grow Old”, which outlines the services people most often need. The following are some of the types of help available from non-medical home care agencies. Personal care for when help is needed with bathing, dressing and grooming. Homemaking help for cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping. Some grocery stores deliver orders. When cooking is difficult options include the Meals on Wheels program which delivers meals to the home. Some senior centers serve meals. If help is needed with money management and a family member is not able to help some banks have programs to assist with bill paying. Home health care agencies provide medical care in the home. Some home health agencies also provide some non medical help too. Transportation is another issue when one is no longer able to drive. Public transportation prices are usually reduced for senior citizens. (“There’s No Place”)
The most difficult issue for many is paying for services. There is financial help available. The Jackson County Department on Aging does not charge a fee for their services. A donation is asked for but no one is denied service due to inability to pay. (“Jackson”)
Veterans should check with a Veteran’s Administration benefits counselor to see what they are eligible to receive. The number is 877-222-8387. Veterans’ benefits include medical care, home health aides and adult day care. Information is also available on their website, www.va.gov. (“There’s No Place”)
Medicare benefits can be determined with a tool on the Medicare website. (“Your Medicare”) or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE to speak with representatives who can verify your coverage.(“Contact Medicare”) This is also listed on the Jackson County Resource List as Medicare Helpline.
The National Institute on Aging recommends two benefits locater websites to help in finding benefits one may qualify for. www.govbenefits.gov provides information on federal, state and local government programs and their qualifications. They provide a questionnaire to answer and it will narrow down the list to programs you would be most likely to qualify for. The other website is www.benefitscheckup.org which is provided by the National Council on Aging. This also uses a questionnaire and provides information on programs, Medicare benefits, food assistance and eldercare assistance. There is also assistance for applying for Medicare extra prescription help. (“There’s no Place”)
Another resource is Central Michigan 211 Health and Human Services Information Line. This is accessed by dialing 211. 211 is a referral service, the call takers match callers with services they may qualify for and give the caller the contact information. (“Central”)
Reverse Mortgages may be what an aging homeowner needs to finance their Home modifications. A reverse mortgage is a special type of home loan for a homeowner over 62 which does not have to be repaid. You receive payments on your home as long as you still live in it. Payments can be monthly or for a fixed period of time or can be a line of credit to be used as needed. When the homeowner leaves their home the lender then sells the home and any proceeds in excess of the principle paid plus interest is paid to the person or their heirs. (“FHA”)
Some homes may need extensive work to be safe for an aging person to live in and may not be practical. Some people want to remain independent but feel the need to leave a big house they are no longer able to take care of. There are options for seniors to still live independently and on their own even though they may have to leave the home they are living in. Help guide.org defines the types of senior living choices. Independent living keeps seniors self sufficient yet provides the security of a senior community. Assisted living and congregate housing are very similar. These are for people without severe medical problems who, for the most part, live independently but need minimal assistance with tasks and some provide at least one meal daily. Board and care is a state licensed assisted living which provides more assistance, meals and activities. Continuing care retirement communities are campuses where a person can progress to the different stages of living from independent to assisted and even nursing home if it becomes necessary while staying in the same place. (Russell)
With some planning and use of services available to seniors it is possible for the aging population to remain in their homes as they age. Growing old no longer automatically means going to the Old Folks Home. It is possible for Grandma to live by herself and the rest of the family will still be able to sleep at night!