Labeling an older adult as “frail” can be stigmatizing. Geriatric researchers have cautioned that the term is linked to “mental or moral weakness” and may become “the new cloak of ageism, a tool for discrimination and disempowerment applied to the most vulnerable.” Despite its negative connotations, medical science uses the term frailty to describe a […]
One of the most difficult decisions an older couple can make is whether to remain in the home they own or to sell the home and move to a retirement community. Aging in place allows the couple to continue relationships with neighbors and local friends, to participate in community activities they enjoy, and to feel […]
Older adults lose their social connections for various reasons. Retirement deprives seniors of workplace interactions. Children and other family members move to distant locations. Retirees who relocate to a different community no longer have the opportunity to visit with friends. Declining health might make it difficult to participate in social activities. Older adults may be […]
The adult children of disabled parents are often asked for advice about their parents’ housing options. When parents need around-the-clock care, a nursing home might be the most realistic choice. A parent who needs assistance with the activities of daily living might remain in her home with the help of family or outside caregivers. When […]
Almost 6 million people in the United States are living with dementia. About 97% of dementia patients are over the age of 65. The CDC predicts that 14 million people in the US will be diagnosed with dementia by 2060. Dementia is the generic term for diseases that impair memory and other cognitive functions to […]
When adult children discuss housing choices with their aging parents, it may become apparent that it would be wise for the parents to move to an environment that caters to older adults. Parents who have substantial equity in a family home might want to sell their house and purchase a home in a retirement community. […]
Residents in retirement communities — sometimes known as senior living communities — generally live independently. They do not typically require daily help to get dressed, eat, or attend to their personal hygiene. On the other hand, even seniors who enjoy the independent lifestyle provided by a retirement community may need a helping hand. Older adults […]
Older adults who shop for a retirement community might base their decision on several factors. Location is important to seniors who want to live near friends and family or continue treatment with their current doctors. Weather can also be an important consideration for seniors who want to escape harsh winters or avoid scorching summers. Two […]
As adult children help their aging parents decide how to meet their future housing needs, they typically ask whether the parent is capable of aging in place. Older adults often hope to stay in the family home for as long as they can, but coping with stairs and home maintenance can pose difficult challenges. Children […]
Older Americans with modest incomes are increasingly challenged to find affordable housing. Statistics show that households consisting of people who have reached the age of 80 have a mean annual income of $25,000. A quarter of those households have an annual income of less than $15,000. Most families need to earn nearly $60,000 a year […]