The question of aging in place is a popular topic I often discuss when consulting with clients and their families. As a senior real estate specialist (SRES), I know this can be complicated because there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. There are many factors to consider when making such a crucial decision regarding your health and the happiness of your loved ones as they age.
Most older adults prefer to age in place. A Toronto Metropolitan University research study shows that over 85% of us would do everything possible to avoid entering a long-term care facility. By 2052, people aged 65 and older will comprise 25% of the population in Canada (National Institute on Ageing).
Does Your Home Meet Your Needs?
Living in your home as you age requires careful consideration and advanced planning. Evaluating the house and ensuring it can accommodate your evolving needs as you grow older is crucial to living independently.
You must consider modifying your home and arranging support services to ensure safety, comfort, and accessibility. You must consider logistics. What happens when you can no longer drive? Do you live in a neighbourhood with easy access to public transportation, Uber, or taxis? Are your family nearby, and will they be available to help?
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What Are The Benefits?
Aging in place has benefits. For many older adults, staying in their homes provides significant emotional, financial, and lifestyle advantages.
Familiarity & Comfort: a familiar environment dramatically reduces stress and anxiety and promotes mental well-being.
Cost-effectiveness: Staying at home can be more affordable than moving into an independent living or long-term care facility.
Maintaining Independence: living in an age-friendly community will encourage older adults to stay active and engaged.
Connected to Community: staying connected to neighbours and friends helps to provide a purpose. You can volunteer at local community events, meet friends for coffee at the local café, or stay physically fit at your local recreation centre.
What Are The Downsides?
While aging in place has numerous advantages, some challenges exist:
Home Modifications include lifts, ramps, lighting, wider doorways, anti-slip flooring, and grab bars.
Health Care Needs: The supports and services people may need as they age will vary, as will the costs. Services and support range from private to those offered through health care and social services. You might require in-home care. Is it expensive, or is it provided in your community?
Where can you get support for bathing, grooming, or other personal care? What supports and services are available in the community to help you with daily activities such as shopping, cleaning, yard care, or snow shovelling?
Isolation: When mobility is limited, getting out and staying active may be more challenging. What about your social network? Are you the last remaining person of your friends and family?
Home Maintenance: The cost of maintaining your home can increase if you can no longer perform regular maintenance duties that you once did, such as cutting the lawn and taking out the garbage. Some of the larger and more expensive home systems might be at the end of their lifespan. Items such as roofs, windows, or a furnace.
Aging in Place in Action
I have clients who are 95 and 90 years old. As part of their retirement living plan, they decided that aging in place was the best option. They live in a bungalow on Toronto’s east side and have been the original owners since the 1950s. Until recently, they have been in good health, and the husband, at 95, still drives.
However, during the last six months, each of them has experienced various health crises, and their health is in decline. There’s immediate panic whenever a health crisis happens, but once the health crisis is averted, they proceed like nothing happened. They are stable, but each of them requires the support of the other to perform basic daily tasks, so neither of them could live independently without the other.
They have started to have a PSW, and a nurse comes to the house a few times a week for support. They get support from family. They have a 70-year-old adult son who lives an hour and a half east of Toronto and a 68-year-old daughter who lives in Toronto but is limited in supporting them because she’s the primary caregiver for her adult son with special needs.
They also have tremendous support from a neighbour. She and her husband provide home-cooked meals a few times a week, and they always make enough so there are leftovers (saints).
Exploring Options
Recently, we all sat down to discuss living arrangements because their current situation isn’t healthy, safe, or sustainable. During the discussion, the parents were both open to the idea of living in a retirement community. It’s independent living, but if they require further support, that can also be provided.
I arranged a tour, and they went for lunch to sample the food. Everyone loved the food; the son later said the father “ate like he was going to prison.” The mother loved everything about the property, the food, the atmosphere, and the apartment. She told me she wished she had packed a bag so we could leave her there because it felt like home.
The parents returned to their house to discuss what they wanted to do and the next steps. They decided to stay in their home with limited support. To the kids’ surprise and frustration, their dad didn’t want to move, and their mom didn’t want to move without her husband.
Admittedly, they can’t take care of themselves either. They expect their adult children and neighbours to help with care. They decided to let circumstances determine when they would move as they continue to age in place.
This is proof that planning is critically important to aging in place. Life can change our plans; sometimes, life happens. In this example, there hasn’t been any consideration for what will occur during a health crisis. Also, aging in place at some point may not be safe, healthy, or practical.
Not sure if your current home still meets your needs? Explore these blogs for tips on finding a great home for your next chapter.
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Another Example
On a more personal note, my in-laws are aging in place. Both are about to turn 80, and they have modified their home so they can live on one level. They are both in remarkable health and live an active lifestyle.
They are organized and good at planning. They do not want to move out of their house, but they have recently experienced the loss of good friends. They also know people who otherwise appear healthy experience serious health problems, which have caused them to reevaluate their plans.
As part of estate planning, they have researched retirement living options in case either isn’t healthy enough to stay home. They found a property that offers all levels of care when and if necessary.
An interesting part of their reasoning is they want to remain in control of their decisions. They are choosing and not waiting for circumstances to dictate where they live as they age. They have toured the property, eaten meals there, and have friends who are currently residents at a specific property they like. They put their names on a waiting list for the future. They have been thoughtful and intentional. They have considered their health, finances, and social well-being.
The other part I can appreciate is that they don’t want to be a burden on their kids. It’s not that we aren’t willing to help or support them, but they want their kids to enjoy the kind of retirement and quality of life they enjoy.
Is Aging in Place Right For You?
If you are considering aging in place in Ontario, there are some questions you need to find answers to:
- Is your home safe and accessible for living in the long term?
- Do you have the financial means for home modifications and care?
- Do you have a strong support system?
- What services are available to you in your community?
Work With a Senior Real Estate Specialist
As a senior real estate specialist (SRES), I help older adults and their families make informed real estate decisions. Whether you need advice with home modifications, are looking for a more suitable home, or want to consider other options, I’m here to discuss your unique situation as you plan for your next chapter. Feel free to contact me with any questions.
Looking to downsize your home? I can help! Call 647.283.2127 or email me at stuart@stuartnodell.com to get in touch.
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