There are several factors to take into consideration when planning for aging in place. Whether older adults own their home or rent a residence, most eventually require some assistance with the activities of daily living. When family and friends are unavailable due to work constraints or geographic location, bringing in services can help. Our family-owned, local agency provides in-home personal care services in the Greater Portland-Beaverton area, including Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties. Serenity Home Care offers a variety of services that assist seniors who are aging in place.
Benefits of Aging in Place
There are many benefits to aging in place. In a 2021 AARP survey, 77 percent of adults age 50 and older expressed the desire to stay at home while they age. Many adults associate aging in place with maintaining an independent lifestyle and their place in a social community. Being surrounded by treasured personal possessions can enhance a sense of identity as people age, reinforcing important memories and accomplishments.
Interacting with friends and others can help prevent dementia, and long-term friendships contribute to overall health. People want to keep seeing trusted medical providers. Most want to maintain their access to familiar modes of transportation, along with control of their schedule, for as long as possible. In these ways, the perception of greater freedom and control gained by aging in place can add to a sense of health and vitality in older adults.
Home Care Services for Aging in Place
While aging in place is the wish of many older adults, some difficulties and challenges arise. Older adults may lose some of the mobility that allows them to walk up and down stairs, or the ability to take care of the yard or garden. Cooking, bathing, housekeeping, and other usual tasks may fall by the wayside during periods of illness or when strength is lacking. Where snow or ice may be a problem, these hazards are not always easily handled by older adults. The health and safety of older adults may be compromised if aging in place doesn’t include in-home services.
For older residents in the Greater Portland-Beaverton area, Serenity Home Care provides services that can assist plans for aging in place. These include the following:
Housekeeping and Companionship
Companion care often becomes essential for aging in place. Assistance is provided with:
- Light housekeeping, such as laundry, vacuuming, and cleaning the kitchen and bathroom
- Errands and shopping, including groceries, prescriptions, picking up dry cleaning
- Preparing snacks and meals, and storing some for later
- Taking care of pets, including feeding, bathing, walking, and visits to the veterinarian
- Transportation for social engagements, doctor appointments, and personal grooming
- Companionship during exercise routines, walks, swimming, etc.
Personal Care
It’s so much easier to plan for aging in place when personal care services are available. These include help with:
- Bathing, showering, and overall hygiene
- Assistance for incontinence
- Dressing and grooming
- Help with mobility, reaching items, and going to appointments
- Medication management and reminders
- Nutrition, hydration, and meal preparation
- Mental and cognitive exercises and support
Medication Management
Our medication services help older adults organize and track their medications. Our certified nursing assistants (CNAs), and other staff all have long-term care experience and online state training, so they know how important it is to keep up with a medication schedule and take the right pills at the right time. Serenity Home Care staff make up and maintain medi-sets that take the guesswork out of medication management.
Memory Care Services
While a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or dementia is life-changing, many clients can stay home for aging in place, as long as they have assistance. Familiar surroundings can be comforting and help dementia patients maintain emotional equilibrium. Our qualified staff provides memory care services, working with medical teams to ensure safety and routine.
Home Care Services Available From a Local Agency
Our family-owned agency forms lifetime partnerships with families and clients. We are committed to providing in-home care services that assist older adults on their terms, honoring both their dignity and independence. Serenity Home Care is licensed by the Health Care Regulation and Quality Improvement program from the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and meets the requirements for Division 536 of the Oregon Administrative Rules. Dedicated to providing compassionate, empathetic care as a well-run team keeps our local agency and staff at the forefront of in-home care for older adults.
Make Plans for Aging in Place in the Beaverton, Oregon, Area
Don’t wait for a crisis to find in-home care services. Explore the services we offer in the Beaverton, OR, area as you make plans for aging in place, or want to preserve this choice for loved ones. For more information, contact us today.
