Taking Charge of How and Where We Age

Aging in Place

Presented by East Carolina University and The Lifelong

Learning Program and SILVERcare

Aging in place is just what it sounds like.

It is aging in the comfort of your own home rather than having to

be moved to a group facility setting.

Aging with dignity and independence is the ability

to live life to its fullest in the place you call home,

regardless of age, illness, or disability.

Ten Thousand People a Day Turn 65 in the United States

North Carolinians who were 60 in 2011 could be expected to live, on average, an additional 22.9 years to almost 83 years old.

Heart disease was the leading cause of death among people 65 and over, with cancer and chronic respiratory diseases, coming second and third on the list.

In North Carolina, our 65 and older population will almost double in the next 20 years from 1.3 to 2.3 million.

According to AARP, 90% want to age in their own homes.

Over the next two decades, the 75-84 age groups will be the fastest growing of those 65 and older in North Carolina.

Women outnumbered men in the state in 2011. They represent 58% of the 65 and over and 70% of 85 and over population.

Challenge the negative stereotypes about aging by maintaining an active role in your own community.

The notion of a senior retiring to a rocking chair is obsolete. Resolve to remain active and involved.

Become the New Face of Aging

Make a plan for yourself that includes where and how you will live as you grow older.

Think about what you might need in your life in case you need daily support.

Choose someone you trust to be a surrogate decision-maker who will honor your health care wishes if you cannot make decisions for yourself, and let that person know what you want for your life.

Take Charge in How You Want to Age

Talk with your doctor and your loved ones now about the kind of care you want for yourself.

Consider filling out advance directives.

Speak up about the kind of care and treatment that you do or don’t want

Reach out to your local Area Agency on Aging or Senior Center to learn about the kind of services they offer.

Share this information with family members and neighbors.

Become a Source of Knowledge for Transforming care where you live

Find out if there are local organizations where you can express your thoughts, concerns, and experiences about growing older and the need for accessible and affordable community services.

Stand up and be heard

Start a network of people who are interested in working together to make your community livable for all older adults.

Take a Leadership Role in GettingOrganized

We all see ourselves staying as healthy as possible through our golden years.

70 percent of us who reach the age 65 will need some form of care or services for an average of three years.

Most of us will need a little bitof help to get by as we get older.

Home Care

Assisted living

Skilled Nursing Facility

Hospice Care

Adult Day Care

Home Health

Types of Care for the Elderly

Home care is the option that promotes the individual’s independence while allowing us to age in our home and to continue with normal, daily activities as long as possible.

Home Care

Home Care aims to make it possible for people to remain at home rather than use residential, long-term, or institutional based care.

Home Care

1. Personal Care Needs2. Medication Supervision3. Special Needs Care4. Companionship5. Safety6. Family Involvement and Continuity of

Care7. Ease Burden of Family Members8. Respite Care

9. Avoid Hospital Readmission

Benefits of Home Care

Assisted living residences or assisted living facilities (ALFs) are housing facilities with limited care designed for senior citizens and people with disabilities.

Assisted Living

CCRC is a particular type of retirement community that offers several levels of health care on one campus:

Independent Living Assisted Living Memory Care (this is sometimes

referred to as “Special Care”). Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation

(both short- and long-term)

Continuing Care Retirement Communities

A nursing home, convalescent home, skilled nursing facility (SNF), care home, rest home or intermediate care provides a type of residential care.

Skilled Nursing Facility

Adult day care centers are senior care locations that are open during normal business hours and provide various care services, supervision and social interaction for the elderly.

Adult Day Care

Home health care is defined as rendering predominantly medically-related services to patients in a home setting rather than in a medical facility.

Home Health

Hospice care focuses on quality rather than length of life. It provides humane and compassionate care for people in the last phases of incurable disease so that they may live as fully

and comfortably as possible.

Hospice Care

Planning for Aging withDignity and Independence

Research shows that 43 percent of Americans over the age of 55 have less than $25,000 saved for retirement.

Most of us are not prepared to pay for this care.

A healthy diet balanced with physical activity and regular checkups by your health care provider can be the best means of preventing future health problems.

Stay healthy

Have the “tough conversations” with your loved ones today about what is important to you as you grow older and how you will get services and supports should you need help in the future.

Talk with your loved ones.

The ability to remain in your own home is one of the greatest benefits of long-term care insurance.

Most people associate long-term care insurance with nursing homes.

Most people buy long-term care insurance so they can receive care in there own home.

2 out of every 3 dollars paid in long term care claims is for women.

Long Term Care Insurance

Keep a list of all the medications you take, including over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements.

Make sure a trusted loved one knows where you keep this list. Share a copy of this list with your doctor at each visit and consider bringing all of your medication bottles to your appointment as well.

If your doctor wants to prescribe something new, be sure to ask:

Why is the new medication being prescribed?

Does the new medication have side-effects, especially when combined with other medications I take?

Are there any foods or activities that I should avoid with this new medication?

Should I change any of my other medications when taking this new one?

Let your doctor know if you are able to do all of the things you need from day to day, or if you find yourself needing help with important tasks such as getting in and out of bed, preparing meals, bathing, or getting groceries.

Falls are the leading cause of injuries to older adults. The three big risk factors for having a fall are:

1) Problems with your medication; 2) Problems with physical changes, including vision and balance; and

3) Things you may trip over in your home or community.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to see if any medication you are taking puts you at greater risk for a fall.

You can also ask your doctor about vision screenings or an exam to measure walking and balance.

If you have an ongoing health condition that is affecting your daily life (such as diabetes or arthritis), talk with your doctor about a specialist or specialty services that may help.

If you and your doctor decide this is the right course to take, make sure that the specialist keeps your regular doctor informed of any changes to your medications or treatment for this health condition.

If you find yourself in the hospital unexpectedly, make sure that the hospital care team keeps your regular doctor informed about your care and plans for returning home.

Be sure to ask the following questions when planning to leave the hospital:

Will I need any follow up care? If I need follow up care, what, when, with whom, and how often will I need this care?

Will my medication change when I leave? If so, how and what should I take/not take going forward?

Are there any warning signs I should watch out for when returning home, and what should I do if these occur?

Discuss your health care preferences and choices in case you cannot make decisions for yourself.

Add Years To Your Life

Add Life To Your Years