Aging in place

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The Center for Disease Control defines aging in place as "the ability to live in one's own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level." In December of 2011, AARP Policy Institute and the National Conference of State Legislatures released a report entitled, "Aging in Place: A State Survey of Livability Policies and Practices" to foster aging in place by giving state legislators examples of how laws, policies and programs can support this goal. In addition to such governmental initiatives, livability can be optimized through the incorporation of universal design principles, telecare and other assistive technologies. Assistive technologies include communications, health and wellness monitoring, home safety and security. Purposeful aging in place has grown in popularity and celebrated by the National Aging in Place Week and the National Aging in Place Council that promotes the positive outcomes of seniors having a choice in their care and living arrangements.[1] In addition to Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS)there are many more professionals trained to fill the growing need in this service model for seniors.[2] Industries that have special programs or certifications include Real Estate, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Relocation specialists. [3] Communities are now fully engaged and committed to exploring ways to better serve seniors by developing action plans that address the future needs and ensure that the services are in place for seniors.[4]

The Beacon Hill Village (beaconhillvillage.org) in Boston began as a community of older adults joining forces to create "programs and services that will enable them to live at home, remaining independent as long as possible." The ‘Village’ model for aging in place is based on the Beacon Hill Village established in Boston in 2001. The ‘Village’ model is a grassroots, consumer driven, and volunteer first model. [5] The ‘Village’ is a self-governed organization of older adults who have identified their desire to age in place. [6] The model relies on informal network of community members. [7] Volunteers are the backbone of the model, while the ‘Village’ staff is responsible for administration including vetting, training, and management of volunteers. [8] Vendors provide home health care and professional home repairs. [9] Volunteers provide transportation, shopping, household chores, gardening, and light home maintenance. [10] The ‘Village’ model relies on the collective abilities of the community to respond to challenges face in the aging process. [11] The ‘Village’ also works to build a shared sense of community through social activities including potluck dinners, book clubs, and educational programs. [12] As of 2010, there were over 50 fully operational ‘Villages’ and nearly 149 in the developmental stage. [13]


Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities, also known as NORCS, are another source of support for older adults wishing to age in place. A NORC, though not always built specifically for a certain age demographic, occurs where a congregation of residents 60 and older live cooperatively. Some offer recreational activities, preventative health and social services for the community. Both of these models can be supported by local, state, and federal dollars as well as community businesses, neighborhood associations and private foundations.(www.philanthropicgroup.com/giaaip050409v2.pdf)

Aging in Place Initiatives can also refer to multiple level of services within one campus/senior community including,[Independent Living]], *Assisted living*Alzheimer's care[14] Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) /Nursing home[15] The main focus implied not having to move from place to place, and being familiar with the community, allowing the individual to "age in place." All the housing levels are fitted with all the ADA requirements, call buttons and high speed cable.[16][17]

Contents

[edit] Why Aging in Place is Important

Most adults would prefer to age in place. In fact, 78 percent of adults between the ages of 50 and 64 report that they would prefer to stay in their current residence as they age. [18] This desire to age in place is an issue that is certainly pertinent to the nation today. One-third of American households are home to one or more residents 60 years of age or older. [19] In addition, those who are not able to age in place, and are therefore institutionalized, become drains on the current healthcare system, and put increasing strain on the currently struggling programs of Medicare and Medicaid. In fact, the CDC estimates that, in the year 2002, Medicare spent an average of $9,113 to $13,507 on injuries related to falls. [20] Given the cost of institutionalization, interventions to make aging in place possible should be looked at in a more serious light.

[edit] Home Modifications

There exist many risks for injury to older adults in the common household, therefore impeding upon their capability to successfully age in place. Among the greatest threats to an this ability to age in place is falling. According to the CDC, falls are the leading cause of injurious death among older adults. Therefore, engagement in fall prevention is crucial to one’s ability to age in place. Common features in an everyday household, such as a lack of support in the shower or bathroom, inadequate railings on the stairs, loose throw rugs, and obstructed pathways are all possible dangers to an older person. However, simple and low-cost modifications to an older person’s home can greatly decrease the risk of falling, as well as decreasing the risk of other forms of injury. Consequently, this increases the likelihood that one can age in place. [19]

Some examples of home modifications include: increased lighting, accessible switches at both ends of the stairs, additional railings, grab bars, nonskid flooring, a hand-held, flexible shower head, and the removal of throw rugs and clutter. [19] [21] In most cases, home modifications can be simple and cost-effective, while simultaneously offering substantial benefits to the individual. Other modifications to the home – especially those that require retrofitting – are a little more costly due to increased complexity of installation. These can include: ramps for accessible entry and exit, walk-in shower, and sliding shelves. [21]

[edit] Examples of Aging in Place

Aging in place can be further defined by [1]

1. Aging in place without urgent needs: This group includes individuals who want to stay in their current home, are not experiencing immediate health/mobility issues, and prefer aging in place and universal design conveniences.

2. Aging in place with progressive Condition-based needs: This group is made up of those with chronic or progressive conditions that will require special modifications for aging in place. These individuals are usually aware of their needs but meeting them is not necessarily urgent. Many have chronic conditions such as diabetes and lung/heart disease that challenge them.

3. Aging in place with traumatic change needs: This group includes those who experienced an abrupt or immediate change that demands adjustments in the living environment for aging in place such as home modifications or universal design.


[edit] Aging in Place Initiatives Worldwide

[edit] In Canada

In Ontario, Canada, Aging in Place is known as Aging at Home, and has received considerable financial support from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.

[edit] In United States

According to the United States Census, there will be a spike in the age 60+ population from 43,043,000 in 2005 to 73,769,000 in 2020, an increase of 71 percent. For more details, see the following Website

Websites and organizations have sprung up all across the nation, in individual communities, states and nationwide to help people to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. Aging in Place is an initiative of Partners for Livable Communities and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging. It was developed to help America’s communities prepare for the aging of their population and to become places that are good to grow up, live in and grow old. They have been working directly with nine laboratory communities to assist them in advancing policies, programs and services to promote Aging in Place.[22]

Smart homes are also another development to help promote aging in place by integrating a range of monitoring and supportive devices. These homes have technology for physiological monitoring,functional monitoring for emergency detection and response, safety monitoring and assistance, security monitoring and assistance,social interaction monitoring and assistance and cognitive and sensory assistance.[23]

Georgia Institute of Technology has developed a smart house. This house would help to address issues older adults face when living alone, such as physical and mental decline as well as awareness for family members. The house includes technology such as pendants which understand commands in the form of hand gestures. It could open and lock doors, close blinds, turn on lights, and more. There is also an in-home monitoring system that can inform family members about an older relative’s daily activities, health status, and potential problems. This would allow older adults to remain in their own home while still maintaining their independence without their families having to worry about their well being. This is not the only smart house that has popped up. The University of Florida has created one as well. The features of this home are very impressive. It has smart refrigerators and pantries which can detect food consumption and expired products. Their smart laundry machines can coordinate with the smart closet to notify the resident when it is time to do laundry as well as aid in sorting the laundry. Every room is specially designed with these and many more smart features to aid their living situation. [24]

Similar technology has been done at the University of Texas, University of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Missouri, as well as in Osaka, Japan.

[edit] In Middle Eastern & Asian Countries

For many other countries in the middle and far east, it is part of the cultural beliefs for older adults to age in place. Many children believe it to be their duty to care for their parents as they age and therefore will move in with their parents when their assistance is needed. In many middle eastern countries, nursing homes are just recently coming into existence due to cultural and generational shifts towards western values.[25]

[edit] References

  1. ^ National Aging in Place Council
  2. ^ Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS)
  3. ^ AIP Professionals
  4. ^ Aging in Place Initiative, http://aipi.n4a.org/
  5. ^ McDonough, K. E., & Davitt, J. K. (2011). It takes a village: Community practice, social work, and aging-in-place. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 54(5), 528-541.
  6. ^ McDonough, K. E., & Davitt, J. K. (2011). It takes a village: Community practice, social work, and aging-in-place. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 54(5), 528-541.
  7. ^ McDonough, K. E., & Davitt, J. K. (2011). It takes a village: Community practice, social work, and aging-in-place. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 54(5), 528-541.
  8. ^ McDonough, K. E., & Davitt, J. K. (2011). It takes a village: Community practice, social work, and aging-in-place. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 54(5), 528-541.
  9. ^ McDonough, K. E., & Davitt, J. K. (2011). It takes a village: Community practice, social work, and aging-in-place. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 54(5), 528-541.
  10. ^ McDonough, K. E., & Davitt, J. K. (2011). It takes a village: Community practice, social work, and aging-in-place. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 54(5), 528-541.
  11. ^ McDonough, K. E., & Davitt, J. K. (2011). It takes a village: Community practice, social work, and aging-in-place. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 54(5), 528-541.
  12. ^ McDonough, K. E., & Davitt, J. K. (2011). It takes a village: Community practice, social work, and aging-in-place. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 54(5), 528-541.
  13. ^ McDonough, K. E., & Davitt, J. K. (2011). It takes a village: Community practice, social work, and aging-in-place. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 54(5), 528-541.
  14. ^ Alzheimer Care: Long-term Care
  15. ^ Medicare coverage of Skilled Nursing Facility Care,http://www.ohca.com/docs/medicare_coverage.pdf
  16. ^ `Aging in place' concept takes hold with retirees - St. Louis Business Journal:
  17. ^ Senior Resource for Aging in Place
  18. ^ A Report to the National Livable Communities: Creating Environments for Successful Aging
  19. ^ a b c Lifelong Housing: The Anchor in Aging-Friendly Communities
  20. ^ Costs of Falls Among Older Adults
  21. ^ a b The National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification
  22. ^ e Communities for All Ages Partners for Livable Communities. "Aging in Place Initiative". http://www.aginginplaceinitiative.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=78. Retrieved 3-1-12. 
  23. ^ http://www.icaa.cc/wef/Global-Population-Ageing-Book.pdf
  24. ^ Mynatt ED, Melenhorst AS, Fisk AD, and Roger WA.. "Aware Technologies for Aging in Place: Understanding User Needs and Attitudes". Georgia Institute of Technology. PERVASIVE computing. http://www.socs.uoguelph.ca/~qmahmoud/teaching/fall2006/pervasive/aging.pdf. Retrieved 2-21-12. 
  25. ^ Hegland, Mary Elaine (2009). The Cultural Context of Aging: Worldwide Perspectives. Westport CT: Praeger Publishers. pp. 303-318. ISBN 9780275992880. 

[edit] Books

  • Robin Means[2], Sally Richards[3] and Randall Smith[4] (2008) Community Care: Policy and Practice [5], Palgrave MacMillan. ISBN 0-230-00674-4
  • Dr. Marion Somers Elder Care Made Easier: 10 Steps to Help You Care for an Aging Loved One, Addicus Books, 2006. ISBN 1-886039-80-1

[edit] Research

  • [6] The Development of Welfare Services for Elderly People 1971-1993. University of the West of England
  • To age successfully in one's own home, a growing desire among baby boomers and seniors, technology (communication and engagement, health and wellness, contribution and legacy, and home safety and security) are all essential to well-being. The Aging In Place Technology market will grow to become a $20 billion market by 2020. See the updated Technology Market Overview and other reports at http://www.ageinplacetech.com.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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