Ageing in Place: what does it mean?

Generally ageing in place refers to continuing to live in the community, with some level of independence, rather than in residential aged care.

That doesn’t necessarily mean staying in the same house you’ve lived in for years.

It could mean downsizing to a place that is more age-friendly or it could mean moving into a retirement village, where you can still enjoy independent living.

Whatever option you choose, accessing home care can be an important part of the equation, providing the support and services needed to help you stay at home for as long as possible.

And that’s definitely what most Australians want to do.

According to the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI), between 78 and 81 per cent of Australians aged over 55 (depending on the age cohort) want to live in their own home as they age.

AHURI says successful ageing in place offers individuals and couples a decent quality of life and saves governments money in providing residential age care facilities. AHURI research found the Australian Government spends an annual average of $15,525 (adjusted to $2018) on each older person who receives assistance in the home, compared to $66,512 for those in residential aged care.

What are some of the benefits of ageing in place and what should you consider before deciding on whether to age in place in your current home or a new one?

What are the benefits of ageing in place?

Independence

The key benefit of ageing in place is maintaining independence. Living in your own home gives you more freedom, encourages you to be self-reliant, and allows you to pursue the hobbies and interests that let you enjoy life to the full.

Maintaining independence promotes a sense of achievement that can contribute greatly to your physical and mental wellbeing.

Connections

If you live close to family and friends, staying in your home can help you maintain these important connections. It may also help you stay connected to regular service providers, such as doctors, dentists and hairdressers, as well as community organisations.

Beyond Blue’s report Connections matter says strong ties with family, friends and the community provide people with happiness, security, support and a sense of purpose.

“Research shows that being connected to others is important for mental wellbeing and can be a protective factor against anxiety and depression,” the report says.

Familiarity

Familiarity can be a real comfort to people as they age, not just in terms of their own home and possessions but also in terms of their immediate environment.

A familiar neighbourhood and community will likely encourage you to stay active and engaged, which are really valuable ways to enhance your wellbeing.

Staying in a home and environment that is familiar, surrounded by family and friends, can also add to your sense of security.

Things to consider

Ageism is not always obvious, sometimes it is subtle and often appears in the way we use language. While it may seem harmless to make a joke at older people’s expense, the reality is these jokes contribute to negative stereotypes and can distort our attitudes to older people and ageing.

Research by the AHRC shows that older Australians feel the media plays a significant role in the portrayal of older people, where they are typically shown as weak, victims, or in poor health. Social media also tends to show older people in a more negative light. With younger people more likely to engage with social media, this distortion can affect their view of older generations.

Some of the most common negative stereotypes surrounding ageing are that old people:

• Are more likely to have health issues
• Have difficulty completing complex tasks
• Don’t care about their appearance
• Are more likely to be forgetful
• Can’t hear that well
• Have difficulty learning new things
• Are bad drivers
• Don’t like change
• Complain a lot
• Have a short temper

How can I combat ageism?

Many believe there is a need for the media to provide more content based on the contributions that older people make to Australia, instead of the negative perceptions that are often reinforced by the media. This can be achieved, not just through sharing stories of the impact that older people had in their youth, but more specifically how they are currently contributing to society.

Older Australians have a wide range of knowledge and skills to pass down to younger generations through teaching and mentoring. Retirees in particular are called upon to provide support to family members, often helping look after grandchildren, but of course they are more than just baby sitters.

There are many ways to stop ageism, here are a few that can be used at any time:

• Start to recognise instances of ageism, especially those that are not obvious
• Explain why it is unacceptable when you encounter it
• Reframe your own perception of ageing and the way you think about it
• Don’t let other people’s ageism influence decisions you make about your life