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Healthy aging at home takes a little planning

Contributed by: Carol Taylor Boyd on 4/14/2008

The Senior Hub Inc. in Aurora has served almost 400 seniors during the past five years. Most of the seniors I've met during this time, have one thing in common. They are passionate about remaining in their own home for as long as they live. They love their homes. They want their valued possessions near them. For many seniors their pets are like children. They are afraid they'll be separated from their pets. And they value their privacy and independence more than anything. My program and other services are available to help them remain at home. With planning, preparation and a willingness to ask for and accept help now and then most elderlypeople can remain safely in their home for as long as they wish.

Current funding and services for elder care actually supports the older person's desire to remain in their home. Because it costs much less to provide services in the home for the elderly than it does to move them or institutionalize them. Aging at home is very cost effective.

However, this news is not reaching the most isolated elderly. Many of them are worrying and suffering needlessly. There are programs available like, The Senior Hub, in Aurora's In-Home Supportive Services, that support a senior's desire to remain independent and in their own homes. Our programs are reasonably priced or free depending on their needs and income.

Elderly people often tell me that assisted living and skilled care are places where people go to die. Or they can't afford to move or pay for the services they need. Many of them are afraid that if they ask for help or admit that they need help they will be forced to leave their homes and move into a nursing home.

Yet by the time I meet with these elderly people they really do need assistance of some kind. A family member, friend and even the elderly person will contact me and ask if my program can be of assistance to them or their loved one. It is especially difficult for me to visit with someone who was referred to me by a family member or friend. The family member or friend hopes that the elderly person will see me as an expert, listen to me and accept my program's assistance.

Sometimes the elderly person will reject my suggestions or offers. They say they don't need my program. They are doing just fine right now. Their family or friend is taking good care of them. They have all the help they need. Sometimes even if the elderly person initiates the call they will hesitate (they just want to know what's available in case they need help later on) and not admit how serious their problems actually are.

While aging at home reduces costs of government services, it shifts the financial burden to the homeowner and their families. The homeowner may be too frail or ill to do the work and repairs themselves. The house is paid for but with a limited income there isn't enough money to pay for the general upkeep of the house and yard. Houses and yards need regular maintenance. Small repairs must be done before the leak, crack or hole, etc. grows larger and causes bigger,costlier damage. Sidewalks have to be shoveled in the winter and yards weeded and mowed in the warmer months. Neglecting yards and sidewalks is a city code violation and people can be fined for code violations.

It is so important that people begin asking questions and learning about services before there is a need. For instance it is very difficult to arrange for someone to shovel a walk for an elderly resident during a blizzard.

Choosing the right service at the right time is critical. The Senior Hub's services are for people who are mobile within their own homes. We do not provide medical services. Our paid staff can help with housekeeping, errands and some personal care. But our paid staff can't give medications, change bandages or lift someone. Our volunteers provide only informal non-medical services; light housekeeping, shopping, errands, pet care, light chores and friendly visiting. Many times a few hours of assistance once a week is all that is needed to improve the quality of life for an elderly person.

Our agency does background and reference checks on all paid and volunteer service providers. Our paid staff and volunteers are bonded and insured. We set high standards for our paid staff. And we train our volunteers before we match them with an elderly person who needs their assistance.

We are dedicated to maintaining the dignity and independence of all our clients regardless of income. We respect their privacy too. The first definition of privacy in the dictionary is, seclusion or secrecy. Perhaps we confuse privacy with a desire for confidentiality and dignity. Elderly people have a right to expect that they will be treated with respect. That any of the information they share with us will not be discussed with their family members without their permission. That whatever they tell us in the privacy of their own home is respected and guarded by the person who visits with them.

I coordinate my programs' services. Whenever possible I also work with other agencies and county services to provide the assistance that each of my elderly clients might benefit from. Services vary by county in Aurora. But my program serves the elderly throughout Aurora and their caregivers if there is one. Home repairs, yard maintenance and housekeeping are some of the services that can be provided at low cost or no cost to a qualifying elderly homeowner.

The purpose of this article is inform seniors, families, friends and neighbors that there are many low and no cost services available for seniors living in Aurora. Aging independently does not mean aging alone. Being able to make decisions about your welfare and requesting the level of services you need with confidence is independence. By learning about services, even products like assistive devices an elderly person can live independently and confidently in the home of their choice for as long as they wish. The Senior Hub, Aurora's Mission is to serve the frail/elderly or Aurora while respecting their dignity and independence. For more information on The Senior Hub, Aurora In-Home Supportive Services Program and our other services please call Carol Taylor Boyd at 720-859-2248 or e-mail seniorhubaurora@comcast.net.


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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Carol Taylor Boyd

Aurora , CO

Carol Taylor Boyd has posted 5 stories and 0 comments since joining on 1/2/2007. Carol Taylor Boyd 's average story rating is 0.
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