INTRODUCTION (following is the opinion of Elva Roy)
Survey after survey has shown than 97% of older people want to age at home, not in a facility or institution. While this is not "always" possible, it IS possible in many more cases than is generally thought. Through a combination of technology, volunteer help, and paid help, people are able to remain in their homes much longer than some "experts" think. There is such a thing as "dignity of risk" which means that not every "risk" is going to be successfully avoided. That is, a 100% safe environment can never be "guaranteed" and shouldn't even be a "goal," because risk is part of "living." If every possibility is eliminated that an accident could occur or someone could be injured, then what's the point of living? Kids climb trees and ice skate. They could be harmed. It's fun. It's worth the risk. Same thing with elders. We should not expect to eliminate every risk, which entails taking too many choices away from elders.
Many assisted living communities and nursing homes take "choice" away from their residents in an attempt to guarantee their "safety." The usual result is decreased quality of life for the residents. Some choices involve risk and yet elders should be able to make reasonable choices for themselves.
Technology
Meals Delivered
Unpaid volunteer assistance
Paid "home health" assistance (nurse or other healthcare provider)
Paid "homemaker" or "companion" sitter services
Survey after survey has shown than 97% of older people want to age at home, not in a facility or institution. While this is not "always" possible, it IS possible in many more cases than is generally thought. Through a combination of technology, volunteer help, and paid help, people are able to remain in their homes much longer than some "experts" think. There is such a thing as "dignity of risk" which means that not every "risk" is going to be successfully avoided. That is, a 100% safe environment can never be "guaranteed" and shouldn't even be a "goal," because risk is part of "living." If every possibility is eliminated that an accident could occur or someone could be injured, then what's the point of living? Kids climb trees and ice skate. They could be harmed. It's fun. It's worth the risk. Same thing with elders. We should not expect to eliminate every risk, which entails taking too many choices away from elders.
Many assisted living communities and nursing homes take "choice" away from their residents in an attempt to guarantee their "safety." The usual result is decreased quality of life for the residents. Some choices involve risk and yet elders should be able to make reasonable choices for themselves.
Technology
Meals Delivered
Unpaid volunteer assistance
Paid "home health" assistance (nurse or other healthcare provider)
Paid "homemaker" or "companion" sitter services