When Home Becomes a Hazard
Home—the very word evokes feelings of comfort, security, and safety. It’s the place we love to return to, a place of shelter, familiarity, and rest. It’s a haven of cherished memories built from every season of our lives.
The strong emotional connection many of us have to our homes is understandable, especially after raising a family and living in one place for decades. For many older adults, attachment to the home environment becomes even stronger as we age, and the thought of ever having to leave it becomes a significant fear. But what if that fear is largely misplaced?
Many seniors encounter increasing challenges as they age in their homes. Still, most will put off a move to senior living only until forced to make critical decisions to protect their health and safety. Could home, once a refuge, become a real threat? In this article, we’ll address important considerations for independent older adults and discuss the risks and costs of aging at home when home becomes a hazard.
Quick Navigation
- Recognizing the hazards of aging in place in the home.
- The financial costs of aging in place.
- How senior living can offer a valuable alternative to aging at home.
Surrounded by familiar sights and sounds, daily life at home seems predictable and calm. But as we age, the uncertainty of living at home, especially alone, can be detrimental. No one wants to think of their beloved home as a threat to their health and safety, but as seniors age, they, along with their families, face important decisions and serious challenges.
Every older adult deserves to feel safe, whether they live independently or need a little extra assistance. For some seniors, living safely may require additional support, greater assistance from family caregivers, or a move to a senior living community.
How can seniors and their families navigate the emotional impact of moving from their longtime home to avoid its hazards later in life? Below, we’ll explore the risks and costs of aging at home that seniors and their families should not ignore when making considerations for senior living.
From logistical issues to limitations in their physical environment, to mental health concerns and shrinking social circles, daily life can be impacted by a multitude of hazards for seniors aging at home. While these risks vary in severity, concerns about how they can impact your senior loved one’s quality of life and your family’s overall stress levels should be examined and discussed to determine the right next steps.
Accessibility. One of the first things seniors and their family members notice as a potential hazard in the home is the accessibility of the living environment. Even for a loved one who is mostly independent, these factors create added stress and increased risk as a senior ages. What to consider: Is the home one level? Are stairs required for accessing the home’s main living area, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, or other essential space? Does the home have a garage or covered entrance? Can the house easily accommodate a walker or other assistive device if you or a loved one needs mobility support? Can the bathroom be adapted easily if it lacks accessible features?
Fall risks. Falls are the leading cause of injury for older adults and can result in significant harm, including head injuries and fractured bones. Every year, seniors are hospitalized – and even killed – as a result of a preventable fall. It can be more difficult for seniors to keep up with home maintenance, and poorly maintained homes filled with clutter create ideal conditions for a nasty stumble. However, any home that lacks senior- and accessibility-friendly features, such as handrails and non-slip rugs, can pose a risk.
Physical health challenges. Changes that come with aging can reduce your loved one’s agility, ability to fight infections, and ability to recover from injuries, leaving them particularly vulnerable to hazards like tripping and malnutrition. When a loved one is living alone, managing illness (a bout of influenza, stomach virus, etc.) can be incredibly challenging without the support of another person. Seniors are at risk of dehydration, weight loss, urinary tract infections, and other complications. Disinfecting the home environment and maintaining personal infection control practices before and after illness can also be challenging for older adults, leading to reinfection or worsening symptoms.
Nutrition gaps. It’s important to have good nutrition at any stage of your life, but seniors face specific dietary needs and challenges that are crucial to recognize. Older adults need plenty of nutrient-dense foods and adequate hydration to help counter changes in muscle mass and bone density. Limited transportation options, food deserts, social isolation, rising food costs, mental and physical health challenges, and decreased mobility can all prevent seniors at home from getting the nutrition they need.
Stress of seasonal weather. Whether you live in a hurricane-prone region or an area with harsh winters, severe weather can be a challenge for seniors to navigate. Snow and ice storms can knock out power during freezing temperatures. Strong thunderstorms and hurricanes can bring floods, wind damage, hail, and tornadoes. Preparing for adverse weather, managing an evacuation, or surviving a sustained power outage can also be incredibly overwhelming for older seniors, especially those without family nearby. These weather conditions can cause devastation among any population, but seniors are especially at risk.
Long-distance family members. While some seniors may be fortunate to have family nearby who can care for them, others may not. The lack of a family support system nearby can be a concern for both seniors and their family members, with a loved one at risk should they have a fall, illness, or weather event. In an emergency, it can be frightening and frustrating to navigate the crisis from a distance. Senior living communities offer the support of staff and community connections to ensure your loved one’s needs are met, even if you’re on the other side of the world.
Declining social circles. While declining social circles may not seem like a physical hazard, loneliness and social isolation have been linked to worse overall health outcomes. Seniors who are lonely and isolated are at higher risk of weakened immune systems, longer hospital stays, earlier death, and a myriad of serious diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, depression, and dementia.
Transportation challenges. Many seniors become homebound when they lose their ability to safely drive, putting them in danger of physical and social isolation. While transportation services and other resources are available in many areas, seniors may not be aware of them or struggle to find information about them. Seniors who can no longer drive may feel like a burden if they’re relying on neighbors and loved ones to get anywhere and may feel frustrated by the loss of independence.
Is Aging at Home Financially Feasible?
It’s no secret that elder care is expensive. This is true regardless of the kind of support that your senior loved one needs, but having to balance the costs of senior care with rising living costs can put a greater financial strain on your family than senior care alone. Seniors who choose to age in place may find that their savings are stretched too thin by the cost of home upkeep, leaving them unable to afford quality care, or vice versa.
Increased costs of managing an aging home. Older homes tend to require more maintenance and updates, which can put quite a dent in your budget. Add this to the rising cost of living and the need for senior-friendly safety modifications, and you’ve got a hefty price tag. In a senior living community, the building is professionally maintained and managed, with the cost already included in your monthly payment. The home environment is already accessible, eliminating the need for modifications. Senior living communities also feature on-site dining, reducing your grocery costs. And in the event of an emergency, preparations and response are handled by community staff, providing peace of mind for concerned seniors and their families.
Paying for home care services. On top of the costs of managing a household, even if it’s become a household of one, home care services can be costly, especially for seniors living on a fixed income. While the exact costs of each option vary by area and care quality, many families find that senior living communities offer a better value overall. The costs associated with in-home care can add up quickly and rising costs driven by home health aide shortages mean that this option may be financially out of reach for many people.
While aging at home may seem like the right thing to do, in the wrong conditions, it can quickly become a choice you or your senior loved one regrets. If the ultimate goal is supporting your loved one’s health and independence in an environment where they can live with peace of mind and meaningful relationships, senior living can be a valuable alternative to aging at home.
With a full understanding of the hazards that pose the greatest risk to senior health and well-being, senior living communities are well-equipped to provide a safe, secure, and accessible living environment. Seniors who choose to move to a community earlier rather than later can enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle with meals, transportation, and health services readily available. Rather than making an emotional decision in a crisis, older adults and their families can make an informed decision with confidence. Families can feel at ease knowing that their loved one is well cared for by a skilled and attentive team that values supporting senior independence, dignity, individuality, and exceptional service.
Considering a move to senior living? It’s a great idea to start the conversation early, so you have plenty of time to explore your options and choose the one that best suits your needs. Cardinal Bay’s independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities in Texas and Oklahoma feature a relationship-centered environment and stimulating activities, leading to a healthier, more fulfilling resident experience.
Schedule a complimentary visit to see how you can thrive. Learn more by reading Cardinal Bay’s free, valuable resources. Subscribe to our blog, plus access our eBook, Your Elementary Guide to Senior Living and Care Options in Texas and Oklahoma. Get your copy now!