Aging in place Archives - Aging, caregiving and the journey through the second half of life

Solo Spousal Care

January 20, 2020

Solo caregiving takes a toll on both parties. What starts out as an act of compassion and loyalty can deteriorate into a role that exceeds the best efforts of one person. Reframing the situation from a new vantage point helps…

Aging In Place Inventory

February 11, 2018

This five-factor inventory is designed to help families and advisors better understand the sustainability issues of older adults who are aging in place. Each factor of the inventory is assessed as either green, orange or red based on an estimation…

Moving In…

December 17, 2017

When an aging parent moves in, no one can predict how it will work out. What looks good in the beginning can come undone in sudden and distressing ways. Adult children need to frame moving in as “one step” in…

How To Talk To Aging Parents About Where To Live

May 2, 2017

I was recently interviewed for an article entitled “Conversation vs. Confrontation: Guidelines for Effective Communication with Your Aging Parents.” In it I discuss how often the insistence by older adults to “stay put” in their home despite deteriorating circumstances prevents…

What do you do when aging in place isn’t working out for aging parents?

April 12, 2017

I was recently asked this question by a professional in the senior living industry. Here is what I said: While the need for control is a consumptive task for aging parents in the final phase of life, it doesn’t necessarily…

Should Older Adults Live With Their Peers?

October 6, 2015

Environmental gerontologist and social geographer Stephen M Golant, University of Florida has written a brilliant article on where older adults are living now and why they may opt to live with their cohort in the future: “My focus is on…

The Pedigree Road Map™

December 20, 2012

“A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it.” Jean de La Fontaine The inclusion of genetics into a life management strategy may appear at first to be mistake. Life management implies choices and genetics…

So what’s in the world come over you…

June 22, 2012

The title of this blog is taken from John Prine’s song “Speed of the Sound of Loneliness,” which seems apropos for an article on the profound impact of loneliness on the health of aging parents. Here’s the first punch line:…

The Wrong Signals: Shutting Down Change Before It Starts

July 30, 2011

How do we help our aging parents consider making positive changes in their lives? We want to help, and feel we have good ideas that could improve their quality of life. For example, we would like for them to consider:…

No Place Like Home for Aging Parents? Maybe, Maybe Not (Follow Up)

November 20, 2009

Leslie Peters was my guest on a recent blogtalk radio show I host (http://www.blogtalkradio.com/solie/2009/11/07/no-place-like-home-for-aging-parent-maybe-maybe-no). I asked her to provide me with a “list” of questions that would help aging parents and their adult children screen potential senior living accommodations. She…