Healthcare Planning

Your aging parents want to stay in their home, but here are 7 reasons why it could be tough

90% of seniors want to age in their own home. That requires serious planning.

"More than 12,000 people are turning 65 each day in the US. And with that, individuals and families are starting to make considerations on what might be entailed to better manage the aging process.

There is a strong desire from seniors to age in place, meaning staying in their home instead of moving to a dedicated facility. Marc Glickman, CEO of long-term care planning experts BuddyIns, estimated that today, around 75% of seniors are using home care services to age in place instead of moving to an assisted living or nursing homes.

An AARP survey showed 90% of individuals 65 and over would prefer to age in place. However, when it comes to aging in place, there is much to consider that is often overlooked. "

This January 2024 opinion piece from Fox News suggests some of the impediments to seniors aging in place.

Home Care Vs. the Alternatives: How to Choose?

"Many older Americans choose to move into some form of senior housing. But each year more and more choose to stay in their homes. It’s not a black-and-white choice, and whatever arrangement you choose, home care can dramatically expand your options."

An April 2023 article by AgingInPlace.org addresses the possible options and how to decide on direction.

"For many these days, the ideal approach to aging involves aging in place— staying in your home and taking the steps necessary to remain independent for as long as possible. Many are still choosing the better-known options: retirement communities, assisted living facilities, and other institutions designed to care for older people. But an increasing number of seniors are choosing to stay at home and get whatever help they need to remain there."

This article is a comprehensive look at the options to be considered.

Note: AgingInPlace.org keeps our resources free by working as an affiliate partner with some companies mentioned on our site. We may earn a commission when you click on certain product links.

Five Wishes

Because you care

Talk to your loved ones today about what matters most. The advance care planning program trusted by more than 40 million people.

History & Mission - from the Five Wishes website:

Twenty-Five years of Protecting your Wishes.

Mother Teresa’s work with the dying left an impact on the world, and Jim Towey was no exception. Jim first worked as Mother Teresa’s legal counsel and over the years became her friend and trusted advisor. During their time working side-by-side with the sick and dying, Jim felt a calling to help those nearing end-of-life. He got to see first-hand what people wanted and learned what was important to them before death. At Mother Teresa’s urging, Jim founded Aging with Dignity, a private non-profit organization in 1996, with a mission to safeguard and affirm the human dignity of every person who faces challenges and opportunities of aging or a serious illness.

Two years later, Five Wishes was developed as the first advance care plan (ACP) to address personal, emotional, and spiritual wishes, in addition to medical treatment. It’s called the “living will with heart and soul” because we’ve based our document on what is most important – being able to define a roadmap for how you want to be cared for. It has been embraced by families, community groups, faith communities, medical and legal providers, and businesses who participate in our Five Wishes at Work program.

When creating the Five Wishes booklet, it was important for us to get it right, so we consulted the American Bar Association and end-of-life experts to combine with our field knowledge. And, with the support of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the program became a reality.

Today, Five Wishes is more than a workbook that becomes a legal advance directive when completed. It is a comprehensive, person-centered advance care planning program that offers a proven, easy-to-use approach to having effective and compassionate conversations.

The hallmark of the Five Wishes program is its simplicity and clarity. Just as the Five Wishes advance directive document is widely known for being easy to follow and understand, the full program includes easy to use, scalable tools and resources.

We continue to grow and find new ways to ensure that every person is allowed to have meaningful, compassionate conversations about what matters most so that however a person arrives at the end of life – whether through accident or illness - their wishes are known and documented, and their families are well-prepared and supported in making those end-of-life decisions.

To find out more and to research their products go to the Five Wishes website for more information.

Bayada

BAYADA was founded on the principle that health care gets better when clients get better care at home—the place they most want to be. From the nurse, therapist, or aide in the home, to thousands of committed employees supporting their work, delivering that care is our highest priority and greatest joy.

The BAYADA Way, our company philosophy, is at the heart of everything we do, and the ever-present guiding force in our daily work—in spirit and in action. The mission, vision, beliefs, and core values it expresses define our culture and embody the essence of what we stand for, believe in, and value.

Since 1975, BAYADA Home Health Care has had a special purpose to help people have a safe home life with comfort, independence, and dignity.

BAYADA Home Health Care appears to be able to support the full range of home healthcare needs. Check out their website to learn more.

Angels Care Home Health

Angels Care Home Health is a Medicare-Certified Home Health agency providing quality home health care services by offering caring, compassionate and cost-effective service focused on each patient’s unique needs. Under the direction of the physician, we administer medical services to the patient while strictly adhering to the physician’s plan of care. Quality, commitment and dedication are the driving forces in our agency.

We provide skilled nursing care, restorative therapy and medical social services to patients in their homes or wherever they may reside, including assisted living facilities and retirement communities. Our services, emphasizing patient and family education, create a continuum of care throughout the disease process and empowers our patients and their caregivers to take an active role in managing their condition or the condition of a loved one. Services are provided without regard to race, color, natural origin, sex, handicap or age.

They appear to be primarily a medical care provider. Check their website for more information.

Your Conversation Starter Guide

"How to talk about what matters to you and have a say in your health care."

"We can’t plan for everything. But we can talk about what is most important — in our life, and in our health care — with those who matter most. We’ll help you take it step by step. Talking with the important people in our life can bring us closer together. It also helps us create the foundation of a care plan that’s right for us — a plan that will be available when the need arises"

"The Conversation Project wants to help everyone talk about their wishes for care through the end of life, so those wishes can be understood and respected. We created this guide to help you start a conversation (and keep talking) so you can have a say in your health care — today and tomorrow."

The Conversation Project is an initiative of The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). This link will take you to their guide. It is intended to help you have THAT CONVERSATION in a way that makes it easier for your thoughts and concerns to be understood by your family and medical team. This is a pretty unique tool.

Find & Compare Providers Near You - Home Healthcare Providers

Find home health services near me

Find Medicare-certified home health agencies in your area and compare them based on the quality of care they provide. Home health services provide treatment for an illness or injury to help people get better, regain their independence, and become as self-sufficient as possible.

FREE: Life Care Planning packets from the AZ Attorney General's Office

"Life Care Planning" is an important task for all of us, whether young or old, healthy or facing challenges. Through increased awareness and access to information, Arizonans of all ages can make their choices known about who will manage their medical affairs in the event of an emergency.

The Attorney General offers the forms, at no cost to you, as follows:

• Click on the buttons below to download a complete packet or individual forms.
• Visit the Phoenix and Tucson office for copies.
• Complete a Life Care Planning request form or call (602) 542-2123 or (800) 352-8431 to have them mailed to you.

The packet includes:

• Arizona Healthcare Directives Registry - Registration Agreement
• Life Care Planning Information
• Life Care Planning Checklist
• Health Care Power of Attorney
• Mental Health Care Power of Attorney
• Living Will (End of Life Care)
• Pre-Hospital Medical Directive (Do Not Resuscitate)

All of these forms can be downloaded, picked up in the Phoenix or Tucson offices or mailed to you.

They are available in both English and Spanish.

Check the website for more information or to download the packet.

Click on the "Complete LCP Packet"

AARP: Home Health Aides: When Your Loved One Needs Help with Personal Care

What family caregivers need to know about hiring.

If you have a parent or spouse nearing retirement age, chances are good that at some point you'll be in the market for home health care.

An article from AARP on how to find a home caregiver.