Part 1: What does 'Aging in Place' mean?

Age in place? It’s a term we hear a lot these days.

Some organizations tell us they offer age in place services, some businesses tell us they help us age in place and some professionals tell you to prepare to age in place…but do you really understand what it means?

What does ‘Aging in Place’ mean to you?

It is an key question to ask yourself. What does Aging in Place look like for you?

Day to day, I hear many people state that aging in place means to stay at home as long as possible.

I tend to don’t agree with this term. I mean, I really disagree…

I think staying at home as we age, is only good if we have strong community connections, can navigate the community and we are living a fulfilled life.

I see too many struggle to survive in their home. Sometimes the home is not the safest or best way to age.

I believe that “Age in Place” should be to age in a place you can call home, in an community where you can be active, and where you can thrive instead of only survive.

Don’t get me wrong. I believe in aging in place. I just don’t believe age in place can only happen at home. I believe it’s a shifting frame of mind through our life. Having this discussions in our mid-life can change the outset of the our later-life!

In coming articles, I’ll share how discussions to have to shape your own definition of aging in place. I look forward to helping you have discussions about what aging in place will look like for you, or your aging parents.