Staying at Home: More Risk than Reward?

Humans naturally gravitate toward decisions that promise more reward than risk. This instinct kept our ancestors alive for centuries and continues to protect our health and well-being in the modern age. For seniors and their loved ones, the decision to age in place at home or move to a senior living community is typically one in which the risks and rewards are carefully considered.

But as loved ones get older, what new dangers will they face at home? What signs will they ignore that a change might be needed? How will they know when the risks outweigh the benefits? In this article, we’ll take an honest look at senior living, staying at home, and the simple signs you don’t want to miss that signal it’s time for the right next step.

Quick Navigation

• What hazards do seniors face at home?
• What are the signs that it’s time to consider senior living?
• When should I start the senior living conversation?

When Home is a Hazard

Many seniors dream of staying in their own home as they get older, for as long as possible. And who can blame them? We all love the comfort and security of being at home. But for many older adults, the unexpected challenges of aging, loneliness, and household hazards can quickly put a damper on these plans. Before long, staying at home begins to carry more risk than reward.

The risks of aging at home are commonly overlooked by older adults and, sometimes, by families, intentionally or inadvertently. Often, it’s not until a senior experiences a fall, illness, or other life event that they begin to consider these risks. The list below outlines a few of the most common risks that impact seniors living at home:

• Household Hazards Seniors who enter their golden years while still in their homes face many household hazards that could put them at risk of severe harm if ignored. While we tend to feel safer inside our own personal fortress, our homes are among the most likely places for us to be injured. Household clutter, cooking and electrical equipment, cleaning products, medications, slippery floors, and sharp objects can all cause harm if handled carelessly or unsafely.

• Falls are the leading cause of injury for older adults, resulting in thousands of hospitalizations and deaths each year. Many of those falls happen at home. Why? Maintaining a neat and tidy home becomes more difficult as we age, with clutter-covered pathways and stairs creating the perfect environment for slipping or losing balance. These falls can result in head injuries and fractured bones, which can have a significant impact at any age, but can be difficult to recover from as we get older.

• Accessibility The need for accessible home options and mobility modifications cannot be underestimated when aging at home. A lack of safe, senior-friendly home features, such as one-floor living, wider doorways, handrails, stand-up showers, and sufficient lighting, can increase seniors' risk of injury in falls or accidents.

• Emergency Preparedness Seniors living in regions prone to severe storms, extreme heat/cold, flooding, wind damage, or power outages risk losing their homes and belongings in an emergency. In these scenarios, staying at home poses significant health and safety risks for seniors, as advance preparation can be overwhelming, and evacuations can cause great distress. This is especially true for those who cannot easily relocate, drive, or manage essential medical needs independently.

• Seasonal Change Seasonal changes can also put seniors at risk in their homes, creating additional safety hazards and maintenance priorities that keep many older adults from continuing an active lifestyle. The need to weatherproof the home in advance of weather changes can be tedious and fall mostly on caregivers. Additionally, stretches of cold or hot weather, limited sunlight, community illness, and other factors can reduce physical activity and lead to common health concerns such as dehydration, heatstroke, depression, mobility issues, and falls.

Should I Consider Senior Living?
 

The senior living journey can feel like a tightrope balance between your loved one’s desire to remain in place and their desire to maintain their health, safety, and independence. How do you know when it’s time to make a decision or start planning for a senior living move? Here are a few signs to look for.

Difficulties with daily activities of living. Our daily routines change as everyday activities like cooking, cleaning, and getting dressed become more challenging or exhausting. If your loved one is skipping showers or struggling to maintain a healthy diet, it’s time to consider the support that senior living communities can provide to help them stay happy and healthy.

Financial and home upkeep concerns. Let’s face it, the cost of living is expensive everywhere right now. Financial woes can weigh on seniors and their families as they attempt to balance rising costs of everyday essentials, supportive senior care, and the costs of managing an aging home.

If your loved one is managing multiple bills each month, it may be worth considering whether senior living could help you save on current necessities, such as home maintenance and grocery costs. While the exact fees for senior living communities and in-home care can vary, many families find that senior living costs offer a simpler monthly budget, with lower monthly payments than maintaining a large family home.

Isolation and transportation challenges. Socialization is an essential part of a senior’s good health, but can become difficult as social circles shrink and seniors become home-bound. Seniors are often at a higher risk of loneliness and social isolation, with the risk increasing if seniors live alone. Seniors who are lonely and isolated are at higher risk of weakened immune systems, longer hospital stays, earlier death, and serious diseases like dementia and heart disease. If you worry that an aging loved one is spending too much time alone and lacking social connections, it's time to consider a senior living community.

Lack of family members nearby. While some seniors are fortunate enough to have nearby family members who can care for them, this isn't always the case. Having only long-distance family members can worry both seniors and their family members. In an emergency, it can be frightening and frustrating to navigate the crisis from afar. Senior living communities can fill that gap and ensure that your loved one quickly receives emergency care even if you’re on the other side of the world.

When Should I Start the Senior Living Conversation?

It is never too early to start discussing senior living with your loved ones. In fact, there are more benefits to starting the conversation earlier than you’d expect. Planning early enables your family to thoroughly research your options, get your finances in order, and navigate the emotions that may surface.

Don't wait until a crisis forces you to make a decision. Talk with your senior loved one now about what they envision, what needs they may have currently and in the future, and what approach will work best for your family. While it is possible to safely age in place at home, the support and circumstances needed in order to do so are challenging and may not be realistic or feasible.

If you're not sure where to begin on your senior living journey, Stoney Brook senior living experts are here to help! To connect with a member of our team and schedule a visit to one of our Central Texas assisted living or memory care communities, contact us today. Or subscribe to our blog to explore free, insightful resources dedicated to helping seniors and their caregivers—for all your future conversations!