AGEING IN SITU

Where would you like to spend your life when you are old and frail? Yes, with my family and in my own home where my emotions would meet my expectations. Humans and most other anthropomorphic entities find comfort when surrounded by familiar faces and places. This is all the more relevant when they are vulnerable and even more when in distress. Barring few situations, as humans age from early childhood through middle age to ripe od age, this trait of familiar comfort stays throughout life.

Ageing in situ i.e. ageing in place or ageing at home is not only convenient but also emotionally satisfying for health and happiness in old age. Enjoying the company or needing help in getting timely medications, wearing assistive devices, caring for wound, if any, or changing the diapers by their own near and dear ones and in their own surroundings is far more comfortable for older persons than depending on strangers. Care receiving even with administratively tailored empathy and compassion in acute and chronic stay settings like hospitals and old age homes would be the last resort when home settings of care are no longer possible. No wonder therefore now, organizations have come up which can successfully set up wide ranging services from simple volunteering through to intensive care unit facilities at old person’s own home. Authorities on their part do well by providing Day Care Centres and spiritual pilgrimages to encourage ageing at home and giving respite to working family members.

Much more however needs to be planned before you desire to age at your own home when you become old. Multiple declines are waiting to happen in your old age like physical, cognitive, social and emotional issues, ageing related diseases and loss of independence mainly due to impairment of Activities of Daily Living (mobility, bathing, dressing, grooming, cooking, toileting, shopping, managing money and others). Anticipating all these, make a note of health care providers, community spaces for social interaction and green spaces in the vicinity. Homes have to be made safe in advance with elder friendly lights and switches, ramps and handrails along the stairs, grab bars near the toilet, tubs and showers and without any cluttering furniture, slippery floors and loose-fitting carpets to avoid falls and injuries. Get registered with your area Police Station and be a part of neighbourhood watch scheme. Last but not the least, be in the know of various old age welfare schemes in your area.