“Aging in place” is the mantra of elder care

“Aging in place” is the mantra of elder care, ideally at home or in one facility that will serve your needs forever. It rarely happens. Things change. In the trade, moves are known to cause “relocation trauma,” physically and emotionally, for the frail elderly person, already sick and scared, and for the adult children, who must orchestrate everything. -From The New York Times blog, “The New Old Age”

As part of the community “TimesPeople” I regularly comment on the The New Old Age Blog. Here is what I have to say about their recent article, The Last Place She Expected to Be

These are very significant life-style changes, as they signal a loss of independence. It represents a time when our loved ones lose control over their environment and their health. Restrictive environments like assisted living and nursing homes are increasingly pushing adult children and seniors' specialists to redefine how we look at aging. It can be argued they serve a purpose, but the sentiment of a strong majority of seniors and their adult children (over 85%) is these restrictive envirionments are a destination of last resort on the "way out."

Ten thousand Boomers a day are turning 65. Boomers must not only contend with lifestyle and wellness issues of their own but additionally must focus on the well-being of their aging parents, whose age group at 86 is the fastest growing segment of the senior population. Add to the mix angst over money and you could end up with a recipe for disaster. Showing empathy toward your fellow Boomer by way of your comments carries cathartic and therapeutic benefits. But that's not enough. Life should be about fulfillment, and that happens when you're better prepared. So stay engaged and healthy for a lifetime of independence.

Andy Berger

Andy Berger is the president of Senior Wellness Specialists, a lifestyle and healthcare services company offering Universal Design and Senior Concierge services for all stages of life. 

Aging in Place

A recent article in The Observer News talks about Aging In Place and how the baby boomers don't even see retirement in the same way as their parents did. Here are my comments on this article.

Clearly money is the driving force behind decisions (both good and bad) being made by both Boomers and their parents, when it comes to aging, their health and wellness. This should be a wake up call for all of us. Making healthy lifestyle decisions and planning for aging has never been more difficult. One generation grew up in or after the Great Depression, and became comfortable saving and making due. One of the negatives to come out of this very disciplined upbringing is its potential for sacrificing the quality of their lives. We see it often with parents of Boomers who place a premium on leaving an inheritance over making their own lives safer. We advise that better planning could save them much heartache and frustration and yes even thousands of dollars.

Boomers on the other hand--until our recent experience with a mini Great Depression-- gained significant wealth and grew very comfortable spending on things that made and still make them feel young and vital. Don't even think about mentioning wheelchairs, canes, scooters, walkers or hospital stays in their company. Boomers don't plan to retire any time soon and don't want to think about the problems associated with aging; many will work from home well past traditionally acceptable retirement age, often giving little or no thought to the hazards present in their home. For Boomers, it's more about satisfying an insatiable appetite for fun and working on their terms. Sidestepping the realities of aging seems to be the answer du jour. It's usually not until an emergency or dire situation arises that they are compelled to take action, and quite often in a panicked state of mind. It doesn't have to play out like that, however. Intelligent solutions to aging are available. For both generations, a healthy lifestyle can mean having FUN and saving money. That's a winning formula.