As one starts to age or develops a disability, they may start to think of how they can continue to live at home and do the things they love while having everything accessible to them. This is where aging and living in place come in. Many people may think that aging in place and living in place is essentially the same thing. That is not true. They are similar but not identical. Learn more about how they differ below!  

What Is Aging in Place? 

Aging in place refers to the circumstance where people ages 65 and older remain in their homes and communities and still can access the things they require and use daily rather than relocating into an assisted living facility. This includes having services, care and needed support come into your home as well. The key thing to having this be successful is planning. One way to begin planning is to look at any illnesses, like diabetes or emphysema, that you or your loved one may have. Talk with your doctor about how these health problems could make it hard for someone to get around or take care of him- or herself in the future. By planning out what will be needed in order to stay home, you or your loved one will be on a better track for a successful aging in place experience. 

What Is Living in Place? 

Instead of focusing on seniors who are living at home, living in place is to make all homes accessible for everyone of all ages and abilities. Living in place not only allows a person to comfortably age in the comfort of their own home, but it also allows friends and family to visit them without having to make other arrangements. For teens, it allows them to easily maneuver around their home on crutches after an injury.  

How Do You Make Your Home Accessible for Living in Place? 

The goal of living in place is to make a home that is accessible for everyone. To achieve this, it is important to eliminate hazards and barriers for those of all abilities including those with memory or cognitive issues. Simple steps to make a home accessible for living in place relating to physical barriers would be to add handrails on both sides of the stairs, remove rugs that cause falls, install no-slip flooring and improve lighting. 

Although all of these are a good ideas to implement, living in place refers to more than just fall prevention. It is also installing smoke detectors with alarms that can be seen, heard and even vibrate, installing countertops that reduce the risk of burns and smart home features such as video doorbells.  

Living in place and aging in place, although similar, refer to different things. If you are interested in seeing what products we offer to make your home more accessible, you can visit our website or contact us today. We are ready to help you stay where you are comfortable!