The Biggest Pros and Cons of Aging in Place

"Aging in place" describes the preference of many seniors to age in situ (i.e., in their current homes). However, staying in your home as you get older isn't always the easiest option. While there are clear benefits to aging in place, there are also possible drawbacks that might prevent seniors from being as healthy and safe as they otherwise would be. How can you or your elderly loved one determine whether staying in the same home is the best option? Learn more about the biggest pros and cons of aging in place.

Pro - you're familiar with everything

Aging folks sometimes prefer staying in their familiar home so they won't have to uproot themselves from their established routines. Inevitably, people develop sentimental ties to their childhood residence. It's not easy to leave home after many happy years there. Familiar and safe space, the streets and the people that you know so well could be a strong tie that will bind you and make you not want to leave. 

When you seem to know every leaf that falls on the ground, it’s hard to let go.

Con - feelings of loneliness and separation

In every individual's life, it's important to have connections with the people you love. As we age, people leave, go their separate ways or pass away. An elderly person living alone may experience feelings of loneliness and isolation despite the presence of supportive friends and relatives. Some one-third of seniors often feel loneliness, which is linked to major health issues, including:

• anxiety
• depression
• obesity
• heart disease

This is why homes for elderly people play a major role. Some elderly people find it hard to leave their old homes because of all the memories. But, as the kids move on with their lives and old friends are no longer there, they soon realize that the friendly environment might just be what they need. The ability to participate in stimulating and rewarding activities and maintain important social relationships is a major perk of assisted living. Finding a new place that feels like home is not easy.

Take your memories with you

One of the promising strategies proven to work for many people, according to the experts at PortaBox Storage, is putting valuable pieces of memory into a storage facility near you. That way, you'll always have something to remind you of your home, even if it can't fit into your new house.

Pro - it's more convenient

It's not easy to downsize from a large house stocked with a lifetime's worth of possessions. It may be taxing on your body, mind, and spirit. Some seniors delay choosing to downsize as long as they can because of this. The most common buyer's remorse cases happen to seniors who left home where they lived to log in. It's not easy, but you can overcome it with a bit of time and effort to see the best in it.

Con - maintenance gets harder over time

With time, a bigger house might become a burden for a single older person to maintain. Yard work, laundry, cleaning, food shopping, and errands are all examples of physically demanding chores that may quickly become a source of stress and fatigue. Neglecting routine upkeep might also need costly repairs down the line. As you get older, it's harder to even declutter from time to time. One of the promising solutions might be renting self-storage for seniors. As storage professionals say, it's a great way to save space and a great way to lift some burden off your back. If that doesn't help, then you might want to reconsider your decision to age in place.

Simple repairs are not so simple anymore.

Pro - consistency

Moving from a long-term residence is a significant life transition for anybody, but it may be incredibly challenging for seniors. Staying at home allows the elderly to avoid adjusting their daily habits to a new setting. As we get older, it gets harder and harder to learn how to cope with the new surrounding. That's why consistency in day-to-day life can be beneficial and the main reason to avoid moving.

Con - it can be dangerous for your health

When it comes to the safety of seniors, the average house might present several threats. Slippery floors in restrooms, unsteady carpets on stairs, and inadequate illumination all increase the risk of serious injury. While there are modifications that you may make to a house to lessen these dangers, it is frequently less expensive to move into an assisted living complex that is specifically intended to meet the requirements of seniors. If you're not a fan of those facilities but want to move to a safer place, mention this concern to your real estate agent while consulting with them.

There are a lot of factors 

There are several factors to consider while determining whether to age in place or relocate to an assisted living complex. You should prioritize the quality of life above anything else. It's never easy to uproot from where you've called home for so long, but for many individuals, relocating to an assisted living facility is the most crucial choice for their health, safety, and well-being.

Both pros and cons of aging in place are individual

Of course, it's quite a personalized choice. You might be the kind of person that would benefit more from moving to a beautiful quiet house in the ponds, and that's okay. Or, you might feel like the pros of aging outweigh the cons. Factors in this decision are different and can be pretty individual, so consider them according to your desires and preferences.

At the end of the day, the pros and cons of aging in place are quite individual.

Bottom line

At the end of the day, the final decision is up to you. Make sure to consider these biggest pros and cons of aging in place before you make it. Consult with all the right experts and seek advice. Then, sail into your golden years happily and care-free.