HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR YOUR LOVED ONES AGING IN PLACE

This year give your elderly loved ones the gift of helping them age in place more safely and securely.   Studies find that nearly 90% of people want to stay in their homes as long as possible.  Aging in Place gifts include installing home safety equipment, arranging for help in or around the home, and helping your loved ones get their financial affairs in order.  “Gift Certificates” like the below can be personalized to meet your loved one’s needs.  Place the personalized certificate in a nice box, wrap it up, and give your gift of loving support.   

Examples of holiday ‘aging in place’ gifts:

• Improving home safety (eg, installing grab bars in bathrooms or ramps to the front door, or obtaining medical alert devices including new smart watches).  Deciding what to give should be based on an in-home safety evaluation; you then choose to perform the work yourself or arrange to have a professional do it.
• Finding help for in and around the elderly person’s home (eg, assistance with personal care, a cleaning service, lawn care or a handy-man) - your gift is locating the needed help and then arranging for them to visit and provide cost estimates for their services.
• Helping an elderly loved one get their financial affairs in order (eg, creating an inventory of all assets, consolidating those assets, or creating or updating wills) - your gift is doing this work or finding a needed financial advisor or elder law attorney to provide the service.
• Arranging transportation and/or encouraging new sources of social support - example gifts can be arranging rides via IKOR, Reliable Rides or GoGoGrandparent, taking someone to a community senior center, or re-engaging an elderly loved one with their church or other community group.

Conducting home safety evaluations - there are several home safety checklists available from both government & private sources.   However, if your elderly loved ones have health concerns or physical or cognitive/memory limitations, an in-home assessment by a trained health care professional is needed.   Professional assessments are available from area home care providers and from www.BlueRidgeElderCare.com/services.html.

Blue Ridge ElderCare Advisors is here to help and provides a free initial phone consultation.  
​Please call 434-465-4508 for any questions or for further information.   
Happy Holidays!