Why Seniors Prefer Aging in Place and What are the Benefits of Aging in Place

What is Aging in Place?

Aging in place is the phenomenon of older adults remaining in their homes and communities as they age, rather than moving or relocating to nursing homes or an institutional setting. While nursing homes provide a safe community-based environment for seniors, older adults today prefer to age in place. Education, information, the right support, and equipment have allowed the elderly to stay healthy as they age.  

Statistics show that nearly 90% of adults over 50 want to stay at home and age in place. The benefits of the elderly living at home are overwhelming. However, planning and preparation as you age can go a long way towards allowing you to age in place safely and comfortably.

Why do Seniors Prefer Aging in Place?

There are many reasons why mobility is important for seniors. The following are a few of the most prominent ones:

A feeling of home: Most seniors want to age in place simply because they don’t want to leave home. Years of memories are treasures that they wouldn’t dream of giving up.

Community: Seniors build a community and support system in and around a home after years of living. Friends and neighbors who have been around for decades are also bonds that seniors prefer to hold on to. 

Familiarity: After living in a specific area for a long time, seniors become familiar with everything around them. They know the nearest supermarkets, pharmacies, hospitals, parks, etc. They also build a network that makes it easier to get around, buy groceries, and manage other errands.   

Independence: Perhaps the most important reason for seniors preferring to age in place is their independence. Seniors prefer to be independent for as long as they possibly can. This also directly affects their mood and boosts their self-esteem.

What Are the 5 Major Benefits of Aging in Place for Seniors?

As mentioned above, the benefits of aging in place are plenty. Let us take a look at some of the most prominent ones:

1. Greater Independence 

Aging in place allows seniors to remain independent for as long as they can. This empowers them, improves their self-esteem, and keeps depression at bay. Aging in place has also been proven to slow down the advancement of memory loss in older adults. When familiar things surround them, it keeps their memory fresh for longer. It gives seniors a peaceful and content feeling which can help prevent stress-related health complications. 

2. Healthier and Safer Living Environment

Aging in place keeps them from catching unwanted bacterial or viral infections that are quite common in seniors who live in nursing homes. It is also physically safer for seniors to age in place as they are familiar with the surroundings and layout of their home and how things work. They can also engage in mobility workouts for seniors at their convenience.

3. Greater Comfort and Easier to Stay Close to Family and Friends 

Aging in place can make older adults more comfortable than an assisted living facility or a nursing home. It allows seniors to maintain social networks and relationships with neighbors and other people in their community. Additionally, they can stay close to their family. Having a healthy social life provides more opportunities for them to stay healthy and active. 

4. Convenience and Cost Savings 

Assisted living facilities or nursing homes can cost a lot of money. Aging in place can be comparatively less expensive while still providing seniors with a safe and supported living environment. You can spend some amount of money on certain home modifications. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development reports that seniors who live at home save thousands of dollars in care costs.

5. Overall Quality of Life

Above mentioned benefits add to the overall quality of life of an older adult who ages in place.

What Do We Offer? 

We acknowledge why aging in place is important and offer a range of solutions for seniors who wish to age in place.

Step2Bed is a bed step stool for the elderly. These step stools come with handrails for better support. The surface of all our bed step stools has a non-slip coating making it safe for seniors to get on and off the stool. All our bed step stools come with adjustable height, making them perfect for any bed. Additionally, they are available in 3 sizes, small, medium, and large ranging from $149 to $169. You can also opt for the fully assembled bed step stool that is safe and convenient. Buy Step2bed here.

The Step2Tub is a step stool designed especially for getting safely in and out of the tub. Made of industrial-grade steel, this bath step stool is safe and stable with an extra-wide landing platform. The Step2Tub features two handrails for support that you can adjust in height as needed. Additionally, it has a dual clamp lock system that prevents the stool from moving or rolling away. It is portable, lightweight, and can support up to 300 pounds. Costing $189, the Step2Tub is available for purchase here.

The Tall Grab Bar is a portable grab bar that provides support to seniors while getting in and out of bed, getting up from or sitting down on the couch, etc. It comes with reinforced steel and foam padding for a comfortable grip. The Tall Grab Bar is easy to install and costs only $29.99. Buy Tall Grab Bar here. 

Apart from this, we also offer mobility aids like walking stick holders, motion-sensor LED lights, glow-in-the-dark tips for the Step2Bed, and non-slip tape. Ensuring that the right exercise equipment for seniors and support is available in the house will keep seniors active, boost their confidence, and age in place safely and independently.