3 Risks of Aging in Place

Aging in place is the ability to live safely, independently and comfortably in one’s own home. When you begin your senior living search, you might see this term come up many times, and at first glance, it might seem like the perfect option.

However, aging in place comes with many risks, especially if you or someone you love lives alone, experiences challenges with daily tasks or faces any health concerns that might require extra support. 

Astral at Franklin prioritizes autonomy and independence in our Franklin assisted living community. We blend exceptional care with opportunities to celebrate and embrace active living. 

If you or someone you love is considering aging in place, we’re sharing some risks that can come along with this lifestyle choice to ensure your family makes the best possible decision. 

Increased Risk of Isolation

Over time, neighbors and friends move away, your adult children may relocate and your social circle may get smaller. When this happens, a person can start to experience feelings of loneliness or isolation. 

According to a report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM), nearly one-fourth of adults over the age of 65 are considered to be socially isolated due to life changes that affect older adults more than other age demographics. 

For instance, older adults are more likely to face factors such as the loss of a partner or close friend or experience age-related health conditions (like hearing or vision loss) that make it more challenging to drive or find reliable transportation.

Safety Concerns Around Home Maintenance

As the years go by, our homes require more upkeep and attention. Whether its routine maintenance or putting in the extra effort to maintain the house’s value, take a moment to think about your home or the home of a loved one:

• Are appliances working properly, or do one or more need to be replaced? 
• Is it more challenging or tiresome to keep up with yard work? 
• Are you regularly hiring repairmen or other services to handle tasks?

As a person ages, managing a home can be difficult and dangerous. Routine maintenance and chores can take a toll on the body, especially if a person is living with health conditions like arthritis or chronic pain.

More often than not, older adults overextend themselves while attempting to keep up with the needs of their homes by putting themselves in unsafe situations. For example, climbing a ladder to change a lightbulb or clean can lead to a loss of balance and cause a fall or severe injury. 

Cost of Living & Changing Health Needs

Many people choose to age in place based on their current health and wellness. While this makes sense, it’s also important to consider changing health needs. For example, what will you do if you or someone you love experiences a medical emergency and need daily support?

In addition to health needs, you want to consider your retirement budget. Even if you or a loved one no longer have a mortgage, add in home repairs, taxes, utility bills and the cost of groceries and other necessities, and aging in place can come with a very high price tag. 

On the other hand, assisted living communities can remove a majority of these costs by providing on-site dining and maintenance services. In addition, when you move to an assisted living community, you can enjoy on-site amenities, such as fitness centers, theaters and game rooms. 

How Can Assisted Living in Franklin Help?

The best alternative to aging in place is moving to an assisted living community, which can offer individuals maintenance-free living and a helping hand with daily tasks. At Astral at Franklin, our Franklin assisted living community features spacious, welcoming common areas and exceptional amenities, all put into place to help residents reach a higher level of independence and wellness. 

Before choosing to age in place, consider all scenarios and realistically plan for the future. Making the move to an assisted living community can provide an uplifting experience that can help set a foundation for a fulfilling lifestyle full of social opportunities and maintenance-free living. 

Schedule a tour of Astral at Franklin today and discover a vibrant assisted living community in Franklin, Indiana!