Resources and Links

Living in the place where you have lived for years, typically not in a health care environment, using products, services, and conveniences that allow you to remain home as circumstances change. Living safely and independently as you get older.

What elements do I need to achieve aging in place?

Meeting your health and physical needs
Informal care
Money/finances
A built environment that accommodates disabilities
Community services

What kinds of services might help me with aging in place?

Basic homecare: someone to make a meal or clean up
Home healthcare: in-home non-medical care to provide help with Activities of Daily Living (known as ADLs)
In-home healthcare: Medical management of wounds, medication, specialized medical care
Home maintenance: lawn mowing, handyman help, consulting certified aging in place specialists
Transportation: securing rides to store, church, doctor’s office, social activities.
Home delivered meals: meals-on-wheels

Does Medicare pay for home modifications?

What parameters are involved in a “livable community”?

Improving a community’s built environment
Expanding opportunities for all residents
Driving community engagement and interaction across diverse community residents

A livable community involves making sure that people of all ages can do what?

Go for a walk
Cross the street
Ride a bike
Get around without a car
Live safely and comfortably
Work or volunteer
Enjoy public places
Socialize
Spend time outdoors
Be entertained
Go shopping
Buy healthy food
Find the services they need
Make their city, town, or neighborhood and lifelong home

What are the 8 domains of livability?

Outdoor spaces and buildings
Transportation
Housing
Social participation
Respect and social inclusion
Civic participation and employment
Communication and information
Community and health services

What is the “village movement”?

Linking of neighborhoods together to help one another remain in their home as they grow old

How does the “village movement” work?

Members pay an annual fee in return for services such as transportation, yard work, and bookkeeping. Village serves as liaison to help individuals find the services that they need.

What is Universal Design?

An approach to designing products and environments to be appropriate for all people, including those with physical, cognitive, or sensory impairments

What is “Visitability”?

A principle that all new homes should include a few basic features that make them accessible to people regardless of their physical abilities

What does “Visitability” entail?

A main level that is easy to enter and exit
At least one zero-step entrance.
Wide interior doors
At least a half bathroom on the main level

Why are Universal Design and “Visitability” so important?

More than 90% of adults 50+ prefer to stay in their homes as long as possible (AARP survey) and a great number of homes lack these features.

What are different ways I can downsize my home?

Donate items to charities
Hire a service to haul away discarded items
Sell to thrift shops, or consignment, or online

What are recommended guidelines for physical activity for those age 65 and over?

At least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity such as cycling or walking every week
Strength exercises on two or more days a week that work all the major muscles (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms)

Why is physical activity important as we age?

Staying physically active can enable us to age in place more successfully
If muscles are not used, they will become weak; without strength, one is more at risk for falling, which can then start a cascade of negative health events

What steps should I take in finding the right homecare?

Identify what you’re looking for
Do your research
Request an interview

What questions should I be asking in terms of home care?

How much are we willing to pay?
What kind of help do we need right now?
What do we think we might need in the future?
Can we get used to having a stranger in our home?

What assistance is available for help with daily living?

Structured day programs
In-home support
Short-term respite
Other community programs

In what ways can home health care prolong independence at home?

Home health care professionals can be there when a caregiver can’t be
Home care supports activities of daily living
Access to skilled nursing care at home
Support with diet and nutrition
Medication management
Companionship from home health care professional
Help with light household chores
One-on-one focus and support
Affordable alternative to facility or hospital care

True or False? Home health care is more expensive than a nursing home.

False. The average cost of care from a skilled nursing facility is $544 per day, where the average cost of home health care per visit is $132 (National Association of Home Care)

What is a reverse mortgage?

Loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) that allow homeowners to convert their home equity into cash with no monthly mortgage payments. Also known as a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM)

If I have a reverse mortgage, do I still need to pay property taxes and insurance?

Yes, borrowers are still required to continue paying property taxes, insurance, and maintain the home according the Federal Housing Administration guidelines

What are reverse mortgages typically used to pay for?

Home renovations
Medical and daily living expenses

With a reverse mortgage, how is the amount of money I receive determined?

The amount of money the borrower receives is determined by the age of the youngest borrower, interest rates and the lesser of the home’s appraised value, sale price and the maximum lending limit

What are eligibility criteria for a reverse mortgage?

All borrowers on title must be 62 year or older
Borrowers must meet financial eligibility criteria established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Existing mortgage on the home may be paid off with the proceeds from the reverse mortgage loan

How can I receive the distribution of funds for my reverse mortgage?

Line of credit – draw as needed up to the maximum eligible amount
Lump sum – a lump sum of cash at closing
Tenure – monthly payments for the life of the loan
Term – monthly payments for a specific number of years

ADDITIONAL WEBSITES FOR EXPLORATION:

Home Accessibility

AARP Livable Communities

Remodeling a Home to be a Lifelong Home

How to Create an Age-Friendly Home

The 8 Domains for a Livable Community

For more information on the Optimal Aging Institute

Jennifer Wagner, MPH, HSE, LNHA, CEAL, Associate Practitioner Professor, Gerontology

oai@bgsu.edu

GIVE

The Opioid Crisis: The Unseen Impact on Older Adults

There's a new face to opioid addiction...and it's older. Bowling Green State University's Optimal Aging Institute, the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc. and the Wood County Committee on Aging discuss the impact of the opioid crisis on middle-aged and older adults including grandparents who are raising the children of the opioid epidemic.

Updated: 01/05/2022 11:37AM

Resources and Links

NORTHWEST OHIO:

BGSU RESOURCES:

NUTRITION, HEALTH, & WELLNESS:

Caring for Your Aging Parents: Assessing Needs and Resources

GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTED:

LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS:

HOME SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELL-BEING:

DRIVING SAFETY:

WOOD COUNTY AREA TRAVEL INFORMATION FOR OLDER PEOPLE:

LEVELS OF CARE:

HOMECARE:

SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES:

FINANCING LONG-TERM CARE:

HOW TO FIND HELP:

AGING IN PLACE: IS YOUR HOME READY?

INFORMATION FROM THE ABILITY CENTER OF GREATER TOLEDO

REVERSE MORTGAGES

AGING IN PLACE AND AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES:

Answers to Commonly Asked Questions

What is the most common cause of falls?

What are some modifications that can decrease the risk of falls?

What are some modifications to enable aging in place?

What is aging in place?