Aging In Place

Staying at Home Instead of Senior Housing is the First Choice for Most

According to AARP, 87% of older adults want to age in place, or stay in their own home as they age. As the senior population continues to grow, Aging in Place is the secret to the future of aging because it is not only preferred, but will become necessary to accommodate the growing population of older adults.

Between 2006 and 2030, the number of U.S. citizens over the age of 65 is expected to double from 37 million to 71.5 million, a number that represents 20% of the total population. By 2050, there are expected to be 89 million older adults over the age of 65.

Despite the booming construction of senior housing and senior facilities across the nation, it is anticipated that there won’t be sufficient availability for the number of Baby Boomers as they age.

While Aging in Place is the situation most seniors prefer, it will also become the necessary choice for seniors and society as a whole.

For the past six years, 10,000 people have been reaching retirement age daily. As a result, nearly 22 million people have entered the retirement phase of their lives. However, these numbers significant-ly outpace the senior housing industry, which is expected to build only 96,000 residences per year. 

In addition, the population of adults 85 and older will rise simultaneously and increase from approximately 14% in 2010 to 21% by 2050. In addition, this age group will most likely require some additional form of support and care.

In a 2004 study supported by the National Alliance for Caregiving and the AARP, 75 was the average age that a person started needing care at home, most commonly motivated by frailty due to aging. Additional reasons requiring home care included diagnoses of diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia also require home care support for aging adults. As of 2016, nearly 5.4 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. One in nine people over the age of 65 has the disease. As Baby Boomers continue to age, this number is anticipated to triple from over 5 million to almost 14 million.

Staying in the familiar home environment can prevent the onset and progression of symptoms of cognitive decline, provide security and fulfill physical, emotional and social needs. Given that senior housing availability will be outpaced by the maturing population, planning for Aging in Place will allow seniors to remain in the comfort of home and help our communities, which include a stronger representation of seniors each day, continue to thrive.

Our mission at Home Care Assistance of Prescott is to change the way the world ages. We provide older adults with quality care in Prescott, that enables them to live happier, healthier lives at home. Our services are distinguished by the caliber of our caregivers, the responsiveness of our staff and our expertise in live-in care. We embrace a positive, balanced approach to aging centered on the evolving needs of older adults. If you have questions or want more information regarding care options for you or a loved one in Prescott, AZ, or the surrounding area, please call us at 928-771-0105 or schedule a complimentary in-home consultation with a dedicated Care Manager.

Visit us online today @ www.homecareassistanceprescott.com 

How To Keep Seniors Cool in a Heat Wave

Heat waves are uncomfortable for most people, but they can be deadly for seniors. Soaring temperatures can cause serious medical consequences for the elderly, and finding ways to keep your loved one cool during a heat wave can be essential to his or her overall health and wellbeing. The senior care experts at Home Care Assistance of Prescott have a few simple tips for keeping your senior loved one cool on the hottest days.

Stay in Contact

When the temperatures start to rise to the top of the thermometer, make an extra effort to check on any seniors who are living alone. Make sure they have adequate air conditioning, cold water, and ventilation in their homes. Some seniors are often unaware when temperatures have reached dangerous levels, so it is important to check on your loved one often to make sure he or she is staying cool.

Take Your Loved One Out

If your loved one lives in a home without air conditioning, it may be necessary to get him or her out of the situation until the weather returns to normal levels. This may mean staying in a hotel or simply going to a cooling station during the day. Many cities open gyms and recreation centers for people who are seeking to beat the heat. A day at the movie theater or indoor mall may be just what your loved one needs to keep cool.

Keep Him or Her Hydrated

Seniors often get dehydrated quickly, so it is important they get the right amount of fluids to stay healthy. In addition to drinking water, it is vital they drink an adequate amount of electrolytes, which are lost when your loved one sweats. Electrolytes can be found in many sports drinks.

Staying cool during a heat wave is important for all seniors, but if your loved one faces any health challenges,it may be difficult to do what it takes to avoid the heat. A professional caregiver from Home Care Assistance can offer that extra helping hand. At Home Care Assistance, we offer live-in and part-time hourly care in Prescott, and our caregivers can provide transportation or even go grocery shopping whenever your loved one starts running low on fluids. For more information, call a Care Manager today at 928-771-0105 to schedule a complimentary in-home consultation.

Visit us online @ www.homecareassistanceprescott.com 

5 Ways Older Adults Can Protect Themselves Against Crime

Even though violent crimes against seniors are decreasing, property crimes against people over the age of 65 still take place at an alarming rate. Older adults are often the targets of scams that end up costing them thousands of dollars. However, these five steps can drastically reduce a senior’s risk of being targeted by criminals.

1. Invest in a Paper Shredder

It can be easy for a criminal to steal an individual’s identity by sifting through his or her trash. By stealing a few bills, the criminal can apply for new loans and credit cards in a senior’s name. Paper shredders aren’t completely foolproof, but they deter most criminal activities. Anything that has a senior’s name, address, phone number, social security number, or banking information should be shredded before it is thrown away.

Many older adults are choosing to age in place, and some need a helping hand to continue living at home safely and comfortably. Luckily, there is professional in-home senior care Prescott seniors can trust and rely on.

2. Take a Look at New Scams Once or Twice a Year

New scams make headlines almost every month. The vast majority of scams may not affect every senior, but it is a good idea to keep an eye out for potential risks. Whether the scam involves fraudulent IRS bills or fake companies asking for donations, seniors need to be aware of the most common crimes targeting seniors.

3. Avoid Unusual Files and Downloads

Even if seniors don’t use their computers or smartphones often, they might have some personal data stored on these devices. The easiest way for criminals to steal digital information is to trick seniors into downloading unusual files or documents. As a general rule, seniors should never download anything unless they know the source of the file. They also need to update their computers and software as often as possible to keep the system secure. As a caregiver, educate your loved one about the dangers of downloading suspicious files and keep a watchful eye on the files he or she downloads.

Family caregivers sometimes need a break from their caregiving responsibilities. When they need respite care, Prescott families can rely on professional caregivers to help their senior loved ones remain safe at home.

 4. Always Research Companies

With access to the internet, seniors can easily carry out research on companies. In addition to skimming over the past work and the history of a company, seniors should look at reviews as well. Fake reviews do exist, but seniors can typically get a pretty good sense of a company by skimming through recent reviews. Companies that don’t have reviews or references should be avoided.

5. Turn Away Solicitors

The two most common types of solicitors are those who repeatedly call landlines and door-to-door salespeople. While the occasional salesperson may be from a legitimate company, it is a good idea to avoid anyone who is trying to aggressively sell a product or service. Signing up for the Do Not Call registry is one of the best ways to avoid unpleasant phone calls, and putting up a “No Soliciting” sign in the front yard is one of the most effective ways to legally keep solicitors away.

Aging in place can present a few unique challenges for older adults. Some only require part-time assistance with exercise or meal preparation, while others are living with serious illnesses and benefit more significantly from receiving live-in care. Prescott, Arizona, Home Care Assistance are leaders in the elderly in-home care industry for good reason. We tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual needs, our caregivers continue to receive updated training in senior care as new developments arise, and we also offer comprehensive care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s. To learn about our high-quality elderly care plans, give us a call at 928-771-0105 today.

Visit us online today@ www.homecareassistanceprescott.com