There's No Place Like Home... For Growing Old

By: Anne Holladay

Remaining in your own home as you age is becoming easier through the growth of services and support through government funding. With pre-planning to ensure that your needs are met and to prepare a Plan B in case of unexpected changes, you can enjoy the best quality of life wherever you are.

For you to thrive at home, these needs must be met:

• Home is clean and easy to navigate without risk of falling
• Nutritious food is available daily
• Medications are taken as prescribed
• Personal hygiene is maintained
• Regular social interaction is available

Even if you can’t do all of those things, you can find help through friends, family, church and a growing number of services. A good resource is the STEP Office of Aging in Williamsport, 570-326-0587, which can help you find assistance with cleaning, shopping, transportation, social activities, nursing care and meeting other needs. Some services may be eligible for payment through a recent Federal grant aimed to serve more elderly and disabled Pennsylvanians in their own homes.

Because it’s difficult to notice changes that indicate you need assistance, enlist a friend or family member to alert you if they notice things are getting off track. Things to look for include:

• A change in health or death of one spouse—sometimes one spouse’s capabilities can mask deficits in another
• A fall
• Lack of cleanliness of the home, clothing or individual
• No food or moldy food in the refrigerator
• Extreme weight loss or gain
• Missed appointments
• Frequent emergency room visits
• Evidence of a fire in the cooking area

All of these changes should be investigated. Waiting too long to fill in the gaps could impact your health.

If you have adult children who live far away, they can keep tabs by contacting clergy, friends, a housekeeper or others who interact with you regularly. During telephone calls expect them to ask you about social activities, meals and your general satisfaction with life.

You should also ask for your healthcare provider’s recommendations about the best living environment for you as medical changes occur. Because chronic illness and physical changes can affect a person’s ability to remain at home, it’s best to investigate other living options before the need suddenly arises. There are three main types of long-term care facilities:

Independent care — for people who can take care of all of their needs but prefer living without the responsibilities of a home.

Personal care — assistance with tasks such as personal hygiene, managing medications, meal preparation may be needed but would be able to evacuate the building without assistance.

Skilled care — also referred to as a nursing home, is for individuals who require nursing care 24/7 either temporarily or long-term. You can compare Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing homes at Medicare.gov/NursingHomeCompare.

In addition to touring facilities on your short list by appointment, stop by unexpectedly. Make note of how residents look — Is their hair brushed? How does the place smell? Is it clean? Are call bells being answered? Does the calendar show activities for residents of all skill levels?

One more option to consider is using skilled nursing care temporarily for a “tune up.” This is becoming more popular as patients are discharged from the hospital earlier in their recovery. Individuals can self-refer for a two to three week stay to receive extra support as they recover from an illness or health set-back. This care option ensures that you feel strong enough to return home safely and can often prevent re-hospitalization or more significant health issues down the road. While not covered by Medicare without a three day hospital stay, you can check your policy or insurance provider for information about using skilled nursing benefits.

Anne Holladay is a Certified Nursing Home Administrator with Susquehanna Health Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. For more information, please call (570) 546-4040.