May 4

May 4 Your Guide to Aging in Place in Alberta

Your Guide to Aging in Place in Alberta

What is Aging in Place?

Aging in place is having the appropriate health, social supports, and services you need to live safely and independently in your home and community for as long as possible. It is essential to plan for the future and implement the necessary steps to foresee any future medical changes that may come your way with age.

When Do You Need to Plan to Age in Place?

To successfully plan, you need to start thinking about how you want to live as you age and what steps you need to take to achieve that lifestyle. According to the Government of Canada, "The earlier you start planning, the more prepared you will be to respond to changes that may occur as you age, such as changes in your health, mobility or social connections. When planning, you should also consider the unexpected. This includes planning for what you would do if you had a sudden onset of a chronic illness, developed a disability, or had a change in resources."

Visit the Government of Canada website for more information.

Where and Who Can Age in Place?

Any Canadian can age in place and prepare their homes to accommodate changes in their lifestyle and health. It is incredibly beneficial to any individual to plan for these unforeseen changes in the event of medical changes.

Questions That You Should Consider

There are several queries to consider when you plan to age in place. It's important to ask yourself or your loved ones these questions so you can plan accordingly.

If I want to live in my current house as I age, what modifications could help me remain safe? (e.g., installing handrails, a ramp, emergency response systems, etc.)
Are there any senior services in my neighbourhood that I can access? Is there additional support or organizations that could help?
Do I have the financial resources to remain in my residence independently and obtain extra help or personal care services?
Can I access provincial health funding and local resources?
Do I need to relocate to a more manageable home with less space, narrow staircases, or potential hazards?
What are the costs associated with moving to a different residence?
How will I get around if I can no longer drive?
What activities can I access in the community?
How can I stay healthy as I age in place?
How can I financially plan for all my health care wishes? Who will take care of me if I need support?

What Aspen Care and My Health Journals Can Do to Help

Aspen Care offers care services to individuals who are aging in place. Wherever you live, at home, in assisted living, or alternative residence, Aspen Care can provide essential health care services to those who wish to age in place.

Aspen Care has also created a product to help seniors living independently called My Health Journals, currently available for sale online at www.myhealthjournals.com

The Journals were created to help individuals keep track of their health and maintain good organization, especially as we age. The Journals assist individuals with tracking blood pressure, oxygen levels, blood sugar levels, weight, diet, exercise, doctor visits, medical history, appointments, mental health, pain scales, sleep habits, routines, moods, medications, allergies, health goals, and more!

It is a great tool to keep track of your past doctor's visits or maintain a record of your past medications, expiry dates, etc. When planning to age in place, health is in your own hands - and you want to ensure you are keeping track of medical information in case of an emergency or in case you require additional support. Caregivers and your extended medical team can review your Health Journals and better understand your overall health, allowing them to make better decisions or intervene when necessary.

If you want a copy of My Health Journals, you may purchase one online by visiting www.myhealthjournals.com or phoning us at 403-990-3837.

How Can Aging in Place Be Beneficial?

More and more Canadians are aging in place. A critical factor in their decision to remain independent in their residence for as long as possible is to reduce changes and stressors while aging. Many Canadians need to sustain the lifestyle and routines they're accustomed to. Changing habits or abiding by someone else's rules is extremely challenging for a person who has lived a full life.

Aspen Care doesn't believe in changing a person's habits to deliver good care. Making adjustments in someone's daily life can be highly stressful and upsetting for any individual and senior. Aspen Care honours our client's wishes and wants to work with them to maintain their way of living.