The combination of the aging of the baby boom generation and longer life expectancies are driving up the number of people 65 years old or older in the U.S. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), these trends will drive the population of older people to reach roughly 72 million over the next 25 years. Fifteen years from now, approximately 1 out of 5 Americans will be senior citizens.

At the same time, trends in living patterns for older Americans have changed. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) reported in 2010 that nearly 90% of people over the age of 65 wanted to remain in their homes for as long as they could. More than 90% wanted to remain in their communities. This phenomenon is in marked contrast to earlier generations, who might have moved to nursing homes or assisted living facilities with greater frequency.

In many ways, the desire to remain in one’s home—called aging in place—is a healthy development. Seniors can take comfort from familiar surroundings, the continuation of and memories of happy times, and the sustenance of family and community.

However, there are times when those aging in place might need some help to remain in place. Many senior citizens take multiple prescription medications, for example, and may need some help remembering to take these medications. Some may be unable to perform activities of daily life, such as bathing or cleaning the house, at the same rate that they used to—but do not want to bring up any difficulty to loved ones. An in-home care nurse can be of great help both to the senior citizen and to their loved ones. They can make sure that prescriptions are being taken on time and that any difficulties are addressed and stress lessened.

Want to discuss home care? Contact us.