How to Plan for Aging at Home

Many older adults are choosing to age in their own homes

Whether you spent years paying off a mortgage or have already moved into a smaller house or a condo, aging in place works best when you have a plan. Even if you don’t need help right now, researching your options ahead of time is important for getting the best care possible and planning for aging at home.

For older adults in Minnesota, Knute Nelson provides a wide array of in-home services, including home health care and hospice which can be tailored to different circumstances and needs. They can help you remain in the comfort of your own home during your golden years regardless of the road ahead.

4 tips to help you plan for aging at home

1. Get the support you need

Many older adults find themselves acting as caregivers for their spouses or relying on adult children for support. However, while you want to be there for your loved ones, being a caregiver can take a toll on your mental and physical well-being. An AARP study found many family caregivers struggle to provide quality care without sacrificing their own health.

Knute Nelson can provide respite for caregivers and prevent burnout. When Violet Davis and her husband, Mitch, who are both in their 60s, were in an accident, Violet was left bedridden for several weeks as she recovered. The couple needed help to get her back on her feet, which is when they reached out to Knute Nelson Home Health Care.

“We weren’t used to having wheelchairs and walkers,” said Mitch. “Knute Nelson came in, they were so friendly and so happy, eager, and I watched them work with her. The professionalism of them was amazing.” As she healed from her injuries, Violet had physical and occupational therapists work with her right in her home. “They focused on me 100%,” she said. “They were super caring.”

2. Explore different types of home health care

Planning for aging is different for everyone. Some may be facing getting older on their own after losing a partner or coping with a difficult diagnosis, such as cancer. Knute Nelson can become that partner by your side with services ranging from personal care and companionship to skilled nursing care and therapy. After surgeries, they can help manage wounds and ostomy systems which can be overwhelming to handle on your own.

Likewise, many aging adults are turning to technology to stay safe at home. In the age of technology, Knute Nelson provides remote health monitoring, medication management devices, and personal emergency response pendants for peace of mind at all times.

3. Look at your specific needs

While the Davises needed help to recover from an accident in the short term, Knute Nelson also helps individuals manage chronic conditions, such as congestive heart failure, diabetes, asthma, or emphysema. They can provide both short-term options for recovering after surgeries, procedures, and accidents, as well as long-term care for illnesses.

Their team includes skilled nurses, along with physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists, among other professionals. With Knute Nelson, you’ll have a case manager helping you tailor a program to your needs. If you need help with a new medication or balancing different medications you take regularly, they can help educate and monitor your prescriptions or check your blood pressure and other health metrics.

4. Plan for final moments

As you age with your partner or on your own, there is a point when you may have to think about your final days and where you would like to spend them. For those facing a terminal condition, Knute Nelson Hospice can help you remain comfortable at home. Their hospice services provide emotional, physical, and spiritual support for individuals and their families during the final days, weeks, or months of life.

After encountering Knute Nelson Hospice before her dad passed, Connie Spanswick joined Knute Nelson’s team as a spiritual care provider. Now she helps meet individuals in their comfort zones — wherever that might be. “Hospice provides wonderful support groups. If you aren't interested in the support groups, hospice also meets you at your home or anywhere. Whether it’s for coffee, lunch, or just on the phone,” she said.

Is it time to get help?

At Knute Nelson, we offer a full continuum of aging services, including senior housing and in-home care options, so you can choose how you age.

If you think it may be time to consider additional help for yourself or a loved one, take our free online assessment to learn more about care needs and what options may be the right fit. If you are ready to speak with a professional about your options contact our team at (320) 335-8753 or fill out a form.