Helping Mom & Dad Age in Place

America’s seniors are increasingly choosing to live at home rather than in an assisted living facility, and experts also say there are dozens of demonstrated benefits to “aging in place.”

However, even cleaning the kitchen or bathroom can pose challenges for older adults, and put them at risk of injury.

If you’re concerned about helping mom and dad around the house, there are plenty of professional services out there that make it easier for older adults to age in place. From house cleaning to caregiving, the modern service economy has continued to expand into this area, allowing more seniors to stay self-sufficient than ever before.

The Benefits of Aging in Place

Aside from being an affordable alternative to conventional senior housing, staying at home brings along some benefits for the happiness and well-being of older Americans. In fact, one 2018 AARP survey found that over 3 in 4 retirees agree with the statement, “I’d really like to remain in my community for as long as possible,” and would prefer to continue living in their current home if possible.

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes, many seniors today are enjoying changing lifestyles, and are thus getting to enjoy their own communities long into retirement. But for those with reduced mobility, staying at home can require a little more effort from loved ones, caregivers, health care specialists, and even service professionals.

How Can I Help My Parents Remain Self-Sufficient?

Every adult child worries about their parents as they age. Because many older adults need ongoing assistance, it’s important to discuss all the available options long before your parents are ready to retire. If you and your family ultimately decide to care for older parents, it’s crucial to consider things like where they will stay, and how they will continue to remain active.

A study performed by the Drexel University School of Public Health found that when older adults live in areas with “high social capital” – meaning that they have high trust levels with their neighbors and easy access to household assistance – they are more likely to enjoy increased mobility and good health. To help bolster social capital for seniors, many in-home care and senior care companies have popped up over the last few decades, as well as home improvement specialists who can build special in-home modifications.

Here are a few of the ways you can help older adults stay independent for longer:

· Hire a qualified caregiver in your area to help with day-to-day personal tasks and transportation.

· Make it easy to stay connected with your loved one, by ensuring that you don’t live too far away.

· Know the names and numbers of their neighbors, and develop good relationships with them.

· Assist with any home improvement projects or modifications.

· Take turns cleaning portions of the house for them.

· Make sure that your elderly loved ones are getting enough social interaction.

Trusted Cleaning Services for Your Loved Ones

Instead of focusing on cleaning and maintenance tasks, you should be able to spend more time with your elderly loved ones. At Merry Maids®, all of our trusted cleaning experts are licensed, insured, and bonded. As true cleaning professionals, we can make sure that any living arrangements are kept spotlessly clean, helping your loved ones to age in place – and giving you the time to make new memories with them.

We can customize our cleaning plans to fit any need! Read more about our cleaning services here, or check out some of our cleaning tips.