The document discusses aging in place and strategies for aging well. Key points include: - Most older adults want to age in their own homes and communities rather than facilities. - The older adult population is growing rapidly, with many living into their 80s. - Maintaining health, independence, and social involvement are important for successful aging. - Planning and communication around future care needs and preferences allows for dignity.

1. Taking Charge of How and
Where We Age
Presented by East Carolina University and
The Lifelong Learning Program and
SILVERcare

2. Aging in place
is just what it sounds like.
It is aging in the comfort of your own
home rather than having to be moved
to a group facility setting.

3. Aging with dignity and
independence is the ability
to live life to its fullest in the place
you call home,
regardless of age, illness, or
disability.

4. Ten Thousand People a Day Turn 65 in
the United States

5.  North Carolinians who were 60 in 2011
could be expected to live, on average, an
additional 22.9 years to almost 83 years
old.
 Heart disease was the leading cause of
death among people 65 and over, with
cancer and chronic respiratory diseases,
coming second and third on the list.

6.  In North Carolina, our 65 and older
population will almost double in the
next 20 years from 1.3 to 2.3 million.
 According to AARP, 90% want to age in
their own homes.

7.  Over the next two decades, the 75-84
age groups will be the fastest growing
of those 65 and older in North
Carolina.
 Women outnumbered men in the state
in 2011. They represent 58% of the 65
and over and 70% of 85 and over
population.

8.  Challenge the negative stereotypes
about aging by maintaining an active
role in your own community.
 The notion of a senior retiring to a
rocking chair is obsolete. Resolve to
remain active and involved.

9.  Make a plan for yourself that includes
where and how you will live as you grow
older.
 Think about what you might need in your
life in case you need daily support.
 Choose someone you trust to be a
surrogate decision-maker who will honor
your health care wishes if you cannot
make decisions for yourself, and let that
person know what you want for your life.

10.  Talk with your doctor and your loved
ones now about the kind of care you
want for yourself.
 Consider filling out advance directives.

11.  Reach out to your local Area Agency
on Aging or Senior Center to learn
about the kind of services they offer.
 Share this information with family
members and neighbors.

12.  Find out if there are local
organizations where you can express
your thoughts, concerns, and
experiences about growing older and
the need for accessible and affordable
community services.

13.  Start a network of people who are
interested in working together to
make your community livable for all
older adults.

14.  We all see ourselves staying as healthy
as possible through our golden years.
 70 percent of us who reach the age 65
will need some form of care or services
for an average of three years.

15.  Home Care
 Assisted living
 Skilled Nursing Facility
 Hospice Care
 Adult Day Care
 Home Health

16.  Home care is the option that promotes
the individual’s independence while
allowing us to age in our home and to
continue with normal, daily activities
as long as possible.

17.  Home Care aims to make it possible for
people to remain at home rather than
use residential, long-term, or institutional
based care.

18. 1. Personal Care Needs
2. Medication Supervision
3. Special Needs Care
4. Companionship
5. Safety
6. Family Involvement and Continuity of Care
7. Ease Burden of Family Members
8. Respite Care
9. Avoid Hospital Readmission

19.  Assisted living residences or assisted
living facilities (ALFs) are housing
facilities with limited care designed
for senior citizens and people with
disabilities.

20.  CCRC is a particular type of retirement
community that offers several levels of
health care on one campus:
 Independent Living
 Assisted Living
 Memory Care (this is sometimes referred to
as “Special Care”).
 Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation (both
short- and long-term)

21.  A nursing home, convalescent home,
skilled nursing facility (SNF), care
home, rest home or intermediate care
provides a type of residential care.

22.  Adult day care centers are senior care
locations that are open during normal
business hours and provide various care
services, supervision and social interaction
for the elderly.

23.  Home health care is defined as
rendering predominantly medically-
related services to patients in a home
setting rather than in a medical
facility.

24.  Hospice care focuses on quality rather than
length of life. It provides humane and
compassionate care for people in the last
phases of incurable disease so that they may
live as fully and comfortably as possible.

27.  Research shows that 43 percent of
Americans over the age of 55 have
less than $25,000 saved for
retirement.

28.  A healthy diet balanced with
physical activity and regular
checkups by your health care
provider can be the best means
of preventing future health
problems.

29.  Have the “tough conversations” with your
loved ones today about what is important
to you as you grow older and how you
will get services and supports should you
need help in the future.

30.  The ability to remain in your own home is one
of the greatest benefits of long-term care
insurance.
 Most people associate long-term care
insurance with nursing homes.
 Most people buy long-term care insurance so
they can receive care in there own home.
 2 out of every 3 dollars paid in long term care
claims is for women.

31.  Keep a list of all the medications you take,
including over-the-counter drugs and herbal
supplements.
 Make sure a trusted loved one knows where
you keep this list. Share a copy of this list
with your doctor at each visit and consider
bringing all of your medication bottles to
your appointment as well.

32.  If your doctor wants to prescribe something
new, be sure to ask:
 Why is the new medication being prescribed?
 Does the new medication have side-effects,
especially when combined with other
medications I take?
 Are there any foods or activities that I should
avoid with this new medication?
 Should I change any of my other medications
when taking this new one?

33.  Let your doctor know if you are able to
do all of the things you need from day
to day, or if you find yourself needing
help with important tasks such as
getting in and out of bed, preparing
meals, bathing, or getting groceries.

34.  Falls are the leading cause of injuries
to older adults. The three big risk
factors for having a fall are:
 1) Problems with your medication;
 2) Problems with physical changes,
including vision and balance; and
 3) Things you may trip over in your
home or community.

35.  Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to
see if any medication you are taking
puts you at greater risk for a fall.
 You can also ask your doctor about
vision screenings or an exam to
measure walking and balance.

36.  If you have an ongoing health condition that
is affecting your daily life (such as diabetes or
arthritis), talk with your doctor about a
specialist or specialty services that may help.
 If you and your doctor decide this is the right
course to take, make sure that the specialist
keeps your regular doctor informed of any
changes to your medications or treatment for
this health condition.

37.  If you find yourself in the hospital
unexpectedly, make sure that the
hospital care team keeps your regular
doctor informed about your care and
plans for returning home.
 Be sure to ask the following questions
when planning to leave the hospital:

38.  Will I need any follow up care? If I need
follow up care, what, when, with whom, and
how often will I need this care?
 Will my medication change when I leave? If
so, how and what should I take/not take
going forward?
 Are there any warning signs I should watch
out for when returning home, and what
should I do if these occur?

39.  Discuss your health care preferences
and choices in case you cannot make
decisions for yourself.

40. Add Years To Your Life