How To Be Happy At Home

As people age and begin to face hurdles that may make daily living more difficult, both seniors and those that care for them need to consider a plan for aging-in-place. Without a plan for the future, unexpected changes can quickly lead to bad situations that are far more difficult to navigate. The best possible scenario for many, is ensuring seniors are able to stay happy at home for a longer period of time.

Aging-in-place is often something people don’t think about until an incident forces the issue. There are a number of things to discuss when thinking through a plan for happier and seamless aging. For example; does the senior want to downsize? Do they live in an urban area with accessible transportation? Is the current home a place that can be modified to accommodate changes?

Everyone involved in this process needs to consider wellness and what is going to make the senior feel happy and safe. And while it may seem like a daunting conversation to have, coming up with an aging-in-place strategy can start with small, simple adjustments:

1. Have an open and honest conversation about everyone’s definition of being happy at home. You may be surprised to hear that caregivers and seniors have different perspectives on what a fulfilled senior life looks like. A recent study revealed that caregivers prioritize activity and exercise while aging seniors are looking for meaningful relationships and connection to those around them.

2. Easy-to-use aids like Philips Lifeline are a cost effective addition to aging-in-place. Products and services like the at-home Medication Dispensing Service, GoSafe’s mobile pendant with two-way voice capabilities and Auto Alert’s fall detection enable longer, independent living. Technology aids of any type are a great way to ensure a feeling of security at home.

3. As daily living for seniors continues to evolve, so do the supports needed both inside and outside the house, and from those that are providing care. In addition to technology aids, larger changes may also become necessary. Happiness in the home will be unique and tailored depending on the person, so it’s important to keep in mind there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.

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