Our society emphasizes maintaining health, independence and youth – while aging is a natural part of life that we should embrace. People don’t want to age and view caregiving services for seniors as tethering that could affect their independence and freedom, or simply something that only “old people” need. In reality, in-home care for seniors is precisely the opposite. You see, it is not a four-letter word at all.

By looking into home care services before they are an absolute must, you have more time to explore your options, communicate your needs and decide what type of services are right for you.  It is important to explore different home care services that can meet your individual needs.  Use these 15 questions to ask a potential home care provider to ensure it is a trustworthy and capable agency. The time you allow yourself will also help you understand what in-home care is and how it provides an optimal level of support for seniors who want to stay in a familiar environment but get a little extra support with daily living tasks. 

Once you identify potential concerns about your loved one, the second step is planning for the future. Here is something from high schoolers to consider: When high school students begin thinking about college, they start looking at schools they are interested in nearly two years before applying. So, why is this not the same for seniors planning for their Golden Years? Why don’t adult children prepare with Mom and Dad for the future? Think about it.

Maintain independence Longer

AARP reports that 76% of Americans over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes as long as possible.  In-home care is a fantastic solution for seniors who may struggle with vision or hearing problems and mobility concerns. Instead of moving to an assisted living facility, aging adults can stay in their own homes and communities safely with in-home care. Consider home care as assisted living in your own home, and here are eight unthinkable reasons seniors should remain in their own homes.

Home care assists in many different areas to meet individual needs. Home care aides can provide transportation to and from doctor appointments, light housekeeping, assist with hygiene and personal care while providing companionship to those who aren’t able to socialize as much. 

Some seniors don’t require as much support but might need some assistance to remain independent. In-home care is versatile to support those who need daily assistance and those who may only need help two or three times a week.  That’s not a four-letter word in the traditional sense. It is more akin to the loving definition of the word “care.” Right?

Find the support you can trust

Home care aides are experienced in what they do and enjoy providing compassionate care for seniors to thrive. These caregivers are professionally trained and supported to provide the best service to their clients and want their clients to feel like they can trust them. Home care is where you will find compassionate aides who will listen to your needs and help you feel more comfortable and safer in your home.

Support for those who do not have family caregivers

Many seniors rely on family members to help them out around the house, run errands, make dinner, and remember doctor appointments. But there are many seniors who don’t have family members that they can lean on for that support. For those, home care services provide an enormous amount of support that they might not otherwise be able to find. Home care is not a four-letter word that needs to  avoid – home care services can become a valuable and desired addition to a seniors’ life. Take time to learn more about how home care services can provide support, comfort, and strength to those who need it. 

Home care is also an excellent way to bridge the inconvenience of a senior aging alone when their family or adult children live across the country. There’s a lot to be said about the welcomed communication between the home care agency and a senior’s adult children who may live 1,500 miles away. In some ways, for a far-away family, it’s like living next door because now they know how their loved one is doing every day from a professional and trusted third party.  They don’t have to guess how their aging parents are doing or feel guilty for not being there. 

Yes, home care is a four-letter word, LOVE.

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And if those don’t work, try these seven steps to living your best life after retirement.

It seems like everyone is searching for the best ways to maintain their youth. Thousands of miracle products target aging audiences that promise younger skin, a youthful glow, increased energy, no more wrinkles, and some too controversial to mention. Before you spend any hard-earned cash on these hopeful products, it may be more realistic to consider these seven steps to feel your best every day:

1. Get moving – If you aren’t already an active person, get into some low-impact sports or activities that will get you moving. Swimming and biking are great ways to keep your body active and feel more energized. Plus, staying active is great for your overall health and mood. Try some new activities if you can’t think of one that you enjoy already.
2. Get a dog – From health benefits to sheer huggability, dogs make great companions, plus they’re your motivation for walking around the block a few times a day. And that’s good for you!
3. Join a class – You can find excellent adult education classes online and in your community. Take a course that allows you to develop a skill you haven’t been able to or learn something you’ve wanted to have since you were young. Learning a new skill and feeling productive can take years off your spirit and bring back a youthful zest for learning. Have you tried pickleball?
4. Be social – Socializing is a terrific way to bring back joy and humor and alleviate the stress of age. Join a community theater or choir group, or find local groups that participate in photography, yoga, or writing. Making new friends and sharing interests are great ways to remind your soul and body that age is just a number. But don’t limit your social group to people who are the same age. Younger people can give you a different perspective and introduce new ideas and activities.
5. Be picky about the company you keep – No doubt about it, through the course of your professional life, you likely had to deal with customers, co-workers, and maybe employers who were not that fun to be around. That was then. This is now. Retirement is fantastic because now you can choose how to spend your time and with whom. Surround yourself with fun, happy, optimistic people who elevate you and your attitude. Nothing says youth like a positive attitude.
6. Try not to focus on the negative – Getting older isn’t the easiest thing in life to do. Aging comes with some physical and health challenges that can put a damper on your spirit but do your best not to focus on those. Each day, wake up and think about what you are grateful for and what excites you. Your positive attitude will spread throughout your spirit, revitalizing and recharging you.  Listening to music that elevates your mood (find it on YouTube) really does work. You may even find yourself dancing.
7. Have fun – To indeed stay youthful and vigorous, you just need to make sure you are having fun and enjoying yourself. If you aren’t a very social person, that’s ok! If you are more introverted, think back to the passions you had when you were younger. Did you want to travel? Did you want to learn as much as you could? Did you have a bucket list that you just started? Everyone will find different activities that motivate, uplift, and inspire them to live life and find their youthful spirits. Do what works for you!

The bottom line is, don’t waste your money on unrealistic promises. The only way you will defy aging is by truly being engaged in life—don’t let life happen! Make life happen!

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