Aging in Place. What it is & How to Prepare in North East Ohio

Aging in place in North East Ohio: An overview

The U.S. centers for Disease Control and prevention defines aging in place as the ability to live in one's own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level.
It’s only natural for seniors to want to stay in a familiar setting and surrounded by a community they know and so it comes as no surprise that a recent (2021) AARP survey shows that 3 in every 4 adults ages 50 and older want to remain in the own homes as they age. But everyone’s situation is different and aging in place is not a one size fits all solution to growing older. In all cases, it requires careful consideration and planning to work well.

Advantages of aging in place

For many seniors, the emotional value associated with continuing to live in a familiar setting and in their own community is considerable and helps maintain good mental health and enjoyment of life. Not to be overlooked is the continued companionship of much-loved house pets!

Continuing to live at home can support a person’s independence for longer. Help can be introduced to the home gradually as needed without taking away a person’s self-sufficiency in other activities.

Aging in place can also be less expensive than moving into assisted living or nursing homes. This is particularly true where good health is maintained and there is no debt associated with the house itself.

Planning for aging in place.

Successful aging in place requires careful planning and this should be done well in advance of when a person finds their normal lifestyle getting restricted by age or chronic illness. It is a good idea for family members and others caring for an older loved one to work with them in the planning process ensuring the person's needs are met and wishes respected. A good aging in place plan will look different for everyone and depends on their particular circumstances, but all should consider three main areas:

• Costs associated with aging in place and payment
• Home modifications
• Professional In-home care

The cost of aging in place.

Aging in place is generally much cheaper than assisted living or skilled nursing facilities but it is not without costs. You will need to budget for the ongoing mortgagee or rent payments, property taxes, utility and phone bills, food and essential purchases, entertainment costs, and transportation amongst other daily and periodic expenses. Balance this against sources of income including savings, social security benefits, retirement income, and pensions to make sure all costs can be adequately covered.

Remember also, that the cost of aging in place is likely to rise over time as the person ages and needs more help and support to stay living safely, and comfortably in the home.

Home modifications.

Modifying the home can have a big impact on the ability to age in place. Simple, inexpensive changes like rearranging furniture, removing tripping hazards, and ensuring bright lighting throughout should be first on the list. Consider non-slip flooring and grab bars in the bathroom and when stairs become problematic a stairlift or creating a downstairs bedroom. Some homes are easier to adapt to an older person’s needs than others, think three-story townhouse vs ranch-style home with bedrooms on the ground floor. Sometimes moving or downsizing to a more elderly-accessible property should be considered.

Professional In-home care.

Advancing age and progressive health conditions can make it increasingly difficult for an older adult to continue to age in place without help. Family and friends will step up the support they provide, but professional help is also often required to fully meet the person's needs. In-home care, or home care, involves qualified caregivers coming to the home on a pre-arranged schedule to provide the services a person needs to continue to live safely and comfortably in the home.

Home care services can be gradually introduced as the person needs them, from a couple of hours a week to help with shopping and light housework to 24hr around-the-clock care.

North East Ohio In‑Home Care from OndeCare

In-home caregiver avatar Tiara State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA)
Tiara
Available in
North East Ohio
State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA)
Services
  • medication reminders
  • doctors visits
  • personal care
  • socialization/entertainment
  • + 19 more
Pet friendly
BACKGROUND CHECKED
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In-home caregiver avatar Veronica Direct Support Professional (DSP)
Veronica
Available in
North East Ohio
Direct Support Professional (DSP)
Services
  • mobility assistance
  • safety/fall protection
  • incontinence care
  • doctors visits
  • + 20 more
Client transportation
BACKGROUND CHECKED
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In-home caregiver avatar Karla Registered Nurse (RN)
Karla
Available in
North East Ohio
Registered Nurse (RN)
Services
  • errands/excursions
  • meal preparation
  • mobility assistance
  • catheter care
  • + 15 more
COVID-19 vaccinated
BACKGROUND CHECKED
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In-home caregiver avatar Keiyana Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Keiyana
Available in
North East Ohio
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Services
  • light housekeeping
  • companionship
  • errands/excursions
  • meal preparation
  • + 11 more
COVID-19 vaccinated
BACKGROUND CHECKED
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In-home caregiver avatar Stephanie Home Health Aide
Stephanie
Available in
North East Ohio
Home Health Aide
Services
  • errands/excursions
  • meal preparation
  • recreational activities
  • transportation
  • + 6 more
Client transportation
BACKGROUND CHECKED
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In-home caregiver avatar Lamonte Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Lamonte
Available in
North East Ohio
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Services
  • errands/excursions
  • safety/fall protection
  • transportation
  • light housekeeping
  • + 17 more
COVID-19 vaccinated
BACKGROUND CHECKED
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In-home caregiver avatar Ruth Registered Nurse (RN)
Ruth
Available in
North East Ohio
Registered Nurse (RN)
Services
  • socialization/entertainment
  • bathing/dressing
  • companionship
  • light housekeeping
  • + 9 more
COVID-19 vaccinated
BACKGROUND CHECKED
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In-home caregiver avatar Brittani Direct Support Professional (DSP)
Brittani
Available in
North East Ohio
Direct Support Professional (DSP)
Services
  • doctors visits
  • socialization/entertainment
  • personal care
  • companionship
  • + 15 more
COVID-19 vaccinated
BACKGROUND CHECKED
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In-home caregiver avatar Brittaney Home Health Aide
Brittaney
Available in
North East Ohio
Home Health Aide
Services
  • memory care
  • house cleaning
  • mobility assistance
  • catheter care
  • + 20 more
COVID-19 vaccinated
BACKGROUND CHECKED
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In-home caregiver avatar Lynique Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Lynique
Available in
North East Ohio
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Services
  • transferring/positioning
  • socialization/entertainment
  • bathing/dressing
  • catheter care
  • + 20 more
COVID-19 vaccinated
BACKGROUND CHECKED
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In-home caregiver avatar Demetria State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA)
Demetria
Available in
North East Ohio
State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA)
Services
  • mobility assistance
  • light housekeeping
  • socialization/entertainment
  • bathing/dressing
  • + 8 more
BACKGROUND CHECKED
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In-home caregiver avatar Dewanna Nurse's Assistant/Aide
Dewanna
Available in
North East Ohio
Nurse's Assistant/Aide
Services
  • safety/fall protection
  • recreational activities
  • mobility assistance
  • bathing/dressing
  • + 20 more
COVID-19 vaccinated
BACKGROUND CHECKED
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In-home caregiver avatar Misha Direct Support Professional (DSP)
Misha
Available in
North East Ohio
Direct Support Professional (DSP)
Services
  • safety/fall protection
  • medication reminders
  • light housekeeping
  • mobility assistance
  • + 10 more
Client transportation
BACKGROUND CHECKED
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In-home caregiver avatar Nylah Nurse's Assistant/Aide
Nylah
Available in
North East Ohio
Nurse's Assistant/Aide
Services
  • mobility assistance
  • bathing/dressing
  • light housekeeping
  • companionship
  • + 11 more
COVID-19 vaccinated
BACKGROUND CHECKED
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In-home caregiver avatar Gwendolyn State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA)
Gwendolyn
Available in
North East Ohio
State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA)
Services
  • socialization/entertainment
  • meal preparation
  • light housekeeping
  • bathing/dressing
  • + 9 more
COVID-19 vaccinated
BACKGROUND CHECKED
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In-home caregiver avatar Ericka State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA)
Ericka
Available in
North East Ohio
State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA)
Services
  • light housekeeping
  • incontinence care
  • personal care
  • recreational activities
  • + 15 more
COVID-19 vaccinated
BACKGROUND CHECKED
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In-home caregiver avatar Carmen State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA)
Carmen
Available in
North East Ohio
State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA)
Services
  • memory care
  • catheter care
  • bathing/dressing
  • incontinence care
  • + 11 more
Pet friendly
BACKGROUND CHECKED
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In-home caregiver avatar Shawnda State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA)
Shawnda
Available in
North East Ohio
State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA)
Services
  • bathing/dressing
  • light housekeeping
  • transferring/positioning
  • mobility assistance
  • + 16 more
COVID-19 vaccinated
BACKGROUND CHECKED
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In-home caregiver avatar EShira Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
E Shira
Available in
North East Ohio
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Services
  • personal care
  • transferring/positioning
  • doctors visits
  • transportation
  • + 17 more
COVID-19 vaccinated
BACKGROUND CHECKED
Ondecare Logo
In-home caregiver avatar Lisa Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Lisa
Available in
North East Ohio
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Services
  • transportation
  • transferring/positioning
  • meal preparation
  • incontinence care
  • + 19 more
COVID-19 vaccinated
BACKGROUND CHECKED
Ondecare Logo
See more fully vetted, background checked caregivers that provide in-home care for adults available in North East Ohio.

Aging in place is not the right choice for everyone.

An unsuitable home or home that has fallen into dangerous disrepair, frequent medical emergencies requiring proximity to rapid medical assistance and lack of nearby family, friends and other support systems can all compromise continued living at home. However, with sound advanced planning and by engaging the right help as it is needed, many of these problems can be overcome and most older adults can age in place safety, and with good quality of life.

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Adult & Elder Care

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Child Care

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Adult & Elder Care

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Special Needs Care

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Infant Care

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Adult & Elder Care

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Adult & Elder Care

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Adult & Elder Care

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Adult & Elder Care

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Adult & Elder Care

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Adult & Elder Care

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Adult & Elder Care

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Adult & Elder Care

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Child Care

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Child Care

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Child Care

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Child Care

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Child Care

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