5 Ways Older Australians Can Benefit from Living at Home

One of the biggest decisions seniors face is where to live as they grow older. While there are multiple options available, your ageing loved one may choose to age in place, with help from a provider like Home Care Assistance Sydney City and East. These five benefits make it clear why choosing this living arrangement helps seniors as they navigate through the next phase of life.

1. Respect Your Loved One’s Wishes

Your loved one has had many years to think about how he or she wants to live out the senior years. He or she may have watched friends wither away after moving to different types of communities or may have decided he or she wants to enjoy what he or she worked so hard to create over the years. Being forced to move out of their homes is demoralising for seniors. Figuring out a way to respect their wishes lets them know they hold value for their families, even if their health is beginning to fade.

2. Keep Up the Motivation to Stay Independent

A senior who is demoralised may just give up on trying to live well. However, making it a goal to age in place stimulates your loved one to do everything he or she can to stay healthy. If safety is your concern, talk to your loved one about ways to preserve independence while living at home. For instance, it’s great if your loved one still has the energy and ability to continue to do housework, but he or she may need to hand over potentially risky tasks to a family member or care worker.

Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional in-home care. Home Care Assistance Sydney City and East is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.

3. Maintain Social Ties

Over the years, your loved one may have built a network of neighbours and friends who are all located close to home. Moving at this stage in life could mean having to give up favourite activities and letting go of close relationships. For instance, your loved one’s elderly neighbour might not be able to visit if your parent moves far away. Your own family might also find it inconvenient to visit your loved one in a different place. Your loved one’s home is already close to cherished people, and you can even arrange for a senior companion to visit so your loved one always has someone to keep him or her company.

Home care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the care workers at Home Care Assistance, your ageing loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. Home Care Assistance offers a revolutionary program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialise regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy.

4. Prevent Depression and Anxiety

Moving is stressful, and trying to move in the senior years can generate many different types of distress. If your parent is forced to move, he or she may mourn the loss of his or her beloved home or develop anxiety about the future due to the loss of control he or she feels. Staying in place lets your loved one feel confident and happy about what the next years of life will be like.

5. Protect Against Injuries

People often try to move seniors out of their homes due to safety concerns. However, seniors are more likely to be injured in new places. Your loved one’s body has developed memory regarding the layout of his or her home and knows where each step is and how to get around the furniture, which protects against issues such as wandering or falling that can happen in a new environment. 

For many seniors in Australia, live-in care is an essential component of ageing in place safely and comfortably. However, it’s important for them to have care workers they can trust and rely on. Home Care Assistance extensively screen all of their live-in and 24-hour care workers and only hire those who have experience in the senior home care industry. Their strict requirements ensure seniors can remain in the comfort of home with a reduced risk of injury or serious illness. Reach out to Home Care Assistance Sydney City and East if you need compassionate, professional care for your loved one. Call a dedicated Care Managers today at (02) 9158 3880 to learn about the high quality of their in-home aged care services.