- Aging in place
According to AIPatHome Aging in place (aka 'age in place') is the ability to live in one's own home - wherever that might be - for as long as confidently and comfortably possible. Livability can be extended through the incorporation of universal design principles, telecare and other assistive technologies. [ [http://www.aipathome.com/ Age-in-Place at Home] ]
The "Journal of Housing for the Elderly" states that aging in place is not having to move from one's present residence in order to secure necessary support services in response to changing needs. [ [http://www.seniorresource.com/ageinpl.htm Senior Resource for Aging in Place ] ] Aging in Place has grown in popularity and celebrated by the National Aging in Place Week and the National Aging in Place Council that promotes the positive outcomes of seniors having a choice in their care and living arrangements. [ [http://www.naipc.org/ National Aging in Place Council ] ]
There are now Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) specialists to fill the growing need in this service model for seniors. [ [http://www.nahb.org/category.aspx?sectionID=686 Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS) ] ] Communities are now fully engaged and committed to exploring ways to better serve seniors by developing action plans that address the future needs and ensure that the services are in place for seniors. [Aging in Place Initiative, http://aipi.n4a.org/]
Within gerontology, sociology and anthropology, aging-in-place is a construct described as "a complex set of processes that is part of the universal and ongoing emergence of the person–place whole, and the creative social effort to reintegrate the whole in a meaningful way when problems arise, compounded by an older adult’s evolving situation." (Cutchin 2003)
Aging in Place Initiative offers a multi-level of services within one campus/senior community.
*Independent Living
*Assisted living
*Alzheimer's care [ [http://www.alzheimer.ca/english/care/ltcare-intro.htm Alzheimer Care: Long-term Care ] ]
*Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) /Nursing home [Medicare coverage of Skilled Nursing Facility Care,http://www.ohca.com/docs/medicare_coverage.pdf]The main focus is not having to move from place to place, and being familiar with the community, allowing the individual to "age in place." All the housing levels are fitted with all the ADA requirements, call buttons and high speed cable. [ [http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2000/07/17/focus14.html `Aging in place' concept takes hold with retirees - St. Louis Business Journal: ] ] [ [http://www.seniorresource.com/ageinpl.htm#place Senior Resource for Aging in Place ] ]
Aging in Place should reduce forced relocation to a different living arrangement (and sometimes, transfer trauma also known as relocation stress syndrome [ [http://flash.lakeheadu.ca/~mstones/transfertrauma.htm Transfer Trauma ] ] ) and produce more favorable outcomes. [ [http://www.hhs.gov/newfreedom/final/hhspart3.html New Freedom Initiative: HHS Self Evaluation - Chapter III ] ]
Aging in Place Initiatives Worldwide
In Canada
In Ontario, Canada, Aging in Place is known as Aging at Home, and has received considerable financial support from the Ministry of Heath and Long Term Care.
In United States
According to the
United States Census , there will be a spike in the age 60+ population from 43,873,000 in 2005 to 73,769,000 in 2020, an absolute increase of 68 percent.References
Books
* Robin Means [http://hsc.uwe.ac.uk/net/research/Default.aspx?ss=3&pageid=126] , Sally Richards [http://www.reading.ac.uk/Health/about/staff/s-c-richards.asp] and Randall Smith [http://www.bristol.ac.uk/sps/research/cus/staff/smith.shtml] (2008) "Community Care: Policy and Practice [http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp//0230006744] ", Palgrave MacMillan. ISBN 0230006744
Research
* [http://hsc.uwe.ac.uk/net/research/Default.aspx?pageid=421] The Development of Welfare Services for Elderly People 1971-1993. University of the West of England
ee also
*
Aging
*Assisted living
*Baby Boomers
*Home care
*Nursing homes
*Reminiscence therapy
*Retirement communities
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