I am 63 years old and have been living in my current home for the past 26 years. My two children grew up in this house, and their old swing set, which I must say is my own design and was built without a blueprint, is still in the backyard. I had to remove many portions over the last few years as the wood became unstable. Although my girls are now adults and live independently, they still come to see us on weekends and during special occasions. My wife and I look after our grandchild two or three days a week. At night, my wife and I take turns cooking and cleaning. I installed hardwood flooring throughout the house, painted the rooms several times, and upgraded the bathrooms. I hired construction contractors to handle the work that I couldn't do myself, but I personally oversaw them while they were making the changes. I still try to run during the week; I have three, four, and five-mile jogging loops that I attempt to complete. However, I injured my knee and have been unable to run for a month. I also have a 7-mile circle that I used to run when I was younger. After supper in the evening, I take a walk in the neighborhood. Usually, I smoke a cigar and reflect on my day and upcoming work tasks. It is quite soothing.
The prospect of one day being unable to reside in my own home due to old age is incredibly upsetting. That is true for most seniors approaching retirement age. According to the AARP, 90% of seniors want to age in their own homes. Most seniors (82 percent) would prefer to age in place if they began to require daily assistance or continuing health care throughout retirement. As stubborn as we are, and as much as you are concerned about us staying at home alone, it may be the best alternative. Here are some of the reasons:
Independence
When seniors are in their own homes, they have a heightened sense of control over their daily routines, actions, and life decisions. They experience a level of autonomy and independence not possible in a nursing home or assisted living facility, where they will lack full control over their activities and must adhere to set mealtimes, food choices, bathing schedules, and daily events.
Familiar setting and routines
A senior’s home is the most important place in their life, offering a sense of awareness, comfort, and security. It is quite reassuring for the elderly to wake up in their own house, glance outside at their familiar surroundings, and go about their daily routines as they have for many years. While some elders adjust quickly to assisted living facilities, many never fully feel "at home."
Healthier environment
Some families believe assisted living facilities are a safer and healthier option than their senior loved one’s home. However, the toll of moving can affect a senior’s overall state of mind. Homesick seniors are at higher risk of stress and depression, which can accelerate physical and cognitive decline. Aging in place tends to improve the physical and mental well-being of seniors.
To be realistic, our home that was safe when we were young may not be as safe as we get older. Some elderly people may live in residences that have one or more flights of stairs, limited restroom access, tight hallways, and a variety of other mobility concerns. According to a May 2020 Census Bureau survey, less than 10% of houses in the United States are "aging-ready," which means they have a step-free entryway, a first-floor bathroom and bedroom, and at least one bathroom accessibility device, such as a grab bar or shower bench. As a result, it is critical for seniors approaching retirement age to review their houses' safety levels and solve crucial issues as soon as feasible. Starting early may also allow elderly folks to set aside finances for home improvements.
SimpliTend believes that seniors should remain at home until they have a valid health or safety cause to relocate to a nursing home. SimpliTend provides caregivers peace of mind by keeping them up to date on their loved ones' whereabouts and activities while they tend to their own children, jobs, or personal business. The SimpliTend senior application includes numerous features, such as:
Direction to home: The SimpliTend senior application has a button on the home screen that is preprogrammed to provide turn-by-turn walking directions to the senior's home. This is significant because some seniors may become disoriented and lose their sense of direction when taking a walk in their own neighborhood. If the elder requests directions to his or her home, the caregiver will be alerted.
Geofence: A family caregiver can set up a geofence around the house of a senior and receive notifications if the elder crosses the geofence zone.
SOS: On the home screen of the SimpliTend senior application, there is a preprogrammed SOS call button. The SOS button is set to dial 911, but it can be changed to dial a friend or family caregiver's phone number. In addition, if the senior triggers the SOS call, the family caregiver will be notified.
These are only some of the capabilities available in the SimpliTend mobile applications. A complete list of SimpliTend features can be found here. The mission of SimpliTend is to give our elderly loved ones a sense of independence while assisting them in staying safe in their homes.