The Health Benefits of Aging in Place

Ruth is a 78 years old woman. She lives in the house where she and her husband raised their three children. Two years ago, her husband passed away. Her three children live 30 minutes to a couple of hours away from her home. They are convinced that an assisted living facility will be a good, safe place for her, and are frustrated by what they call her stubbornness. With the increase in life expectancy and the aging of the largest generation in the US, the "baby boomers," the question of aging in place becomes relevant for the aging person, their family and the community. I listened to a podcast interview with Laura Carstensen, a longevity psychologist who devoted her life to studying the quality of life of aging people. She says: "As we age, our time horizons grow shorter and our goals change. When we recognize that we don't have all the time in the world, we see our priorities most clearly. We take less notice of trivial matters. We savor life. We're more appreciative." She reports that many family dynamics become strained because the kids worry about their aging parents' safety, especially if the parents live alone and their kids don't live close by. However, the aging person who senses their horizon shortening wants to embrace life. Aging in Place Aging in place is the practice of remaining in the community, either in the house you raised your family in or a downsized home. AARP, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization advocating for Americans aged 50 and over, found in a 2021 Home and Community Preferences survey that if given the choice, 77% of those over 50 would prefer to end their lives at home. The Physical Benefits of Aging in Place People who age at home keep their routine and continue to perform home maintenance chores which keep them moving. On the other hand, people who live in assisted living tend to move less. Movement is crucial for blood and lymph circulation, which provide nutrients to cells and remove waste products. Moreover, aging people who don't move enough lose muscle mass and bone density, which makes them more susceptible to injuries. Another significant health benefit of aging in place is the reduced risk of infections compared to living in communal environments such as a nursing home. That is because it is easier to control who comes and goes to the house, and there is a low chance of being exposed to a person who was hospitalized and might introduce infections. The Psychological Benefits of Aging in Place Aging in place provides important psychological benefits that have been shown to increase longevity and well-being. A critical aspect of aging in place is the experience of a coherent sense of identity. Aging people who stay in a family environment and stick to their daily routine feel a sense of autonomy, agency and identity crucial for their well-being. Staying in a multi-generational neighborhood, keeping social connections with people of all ages and participating in community events allow the aging person to be engaged in the community and reduce loneliness and anxiety. People who move to assisted living facilities tend to experience a reduction in movement, autonomy and agency that may lead to depression. Another critical factor is cognitive decline. When aging people are less engaged in routine activities, at home and in their communities, and when their experience of self is fractured, their cognitive faculties tend to decline. Studies show that people with dementia can slow down their cognitive decline if they stay in their home environment. The Challenges of Aging in Place Aging in place, however, comes with some challenges. A crucial component of successful aging in place is independence. The aging adult needs to be able to dress, shower and feed themselves. Health conditions may present challenges for the aging person who wishes to stay home. This is where we, as families and communities, can play a role in supporting them. Some nursing services provide in-home visits for dialysis and infusions. Another challenge is accessibility in and out of the home. About a third of the people over 65 experienced a fall, most of them at home. Some key factors to consider are: a step-free home entrance, a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor, and at least one shower that is modified with accessibility features. For an aging person living at home by themselves, an alert bracelet that alerts their caregivers in case of an emergency can be beneficial. Keeping our neighborhood safe and accessible is important for all of us, but for aging people, they are critical. Safety and accessibility go beyond icy streets. It includes access to pharmacies, a senior center, and grocery shops. Ideas for practicing kindness with your aging neighbor: Visit your aging neighbors or invite them to your home Invite them for a walk in the neighborhood Ask if they need help maintaining their garden Offer to help with home maintenance troubleshooting Offer to drive them to doctor appointments and errands Include them in community events The ability of aging people to stay at home benefits not just the aging person but the community, too. In a youth-worshipping culture that casts aside its elders, we might want to remind ourselves that the hard-earned wisdom of our elders can be beneficial to our community. In the same way "it takes a village" to raise a child, it takes a village to support our elders aging in their homes and as part of our community. Locally, The Keene Senior Center offers help to seniors aging in place via their Cheshire Village at Home program. Find information on their services at www.keeneseniorcenter.org/cvah.