Aging in place can mean something different to everyone. Generally, aging in place means having the health and social supports and services you need to live safely and independently in your home or your community for as long as you wish and are able. Proper planning can help you achieve this goal. No one wants to think about institutional care, but a lot of people are doing nothing to avoid it.
Governments are pushing for people to live independently in their own home which is cheaper for the government but often there are not the resources in place, or it may not be cost effective or affordable to do so for the older person. 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. To successfully plan ahead, 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. 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. Making choices now will give you greater control over your independence, quality of life and dignity. Modifying your home or downsizing, will only get harder over time. Moving is physically demanding, mentally challenging and emotionally draining.
As you age, plan ahead. You will need a financial plan that anticipates your housing needs and a budget for operating and maintenance. Financial Constraints may require compromises/creativity. New Technologies are helping seniors today remain independent and are only improving (example Lifeline, fall detection devices). Look forward to electronic cognitive aids to help find our glasses and wallets and monitoring capacity in entire home. Artificial Intelligences (AI) and other enabling technologies will result in a of new generation of smart apps and wearables, potentially supporting older people to meet their needs in psychological support, self-care, and access to health care domains.
Proper planning in advance is key to living and aging well in Whistler. MAC works to identify aging-in-place strategies and available resources and works with local partners to make Whistler a positive place for seniors to live and age well.
Many older adults want to “age in place” — stay in their own homes as they get older — but may have concerns about safety, getting around, or other daily activities. Read it to learn tips to help make your home safer and more accessible.
MAC gratefully and respectfully acknowledges that the land known as Whistler lies in the unceded territory of the Sḵwxwú7mesh Nation and Lil̓wat7úl Nation.
