When choosing to age in place or to move, the risks and benefits of a location must be considered.
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Table of Contents
Community
- Social aspects: long time resident of the community with several friends and organizational involvements, volunteer opportunities, people with similar interest, community center and community events.
- Physical aspects: safety, public transportation or alternative transportation available, walkability and maintained sidewalks, accessible buildings and parks.
Proximity to Medical Facilities
- How quickly could someone get to an emergency room?
- How easy is it to get to the doctors office, eye doctor (optometrist), hearing doctor (audiologist)? They more be likely to cancel if they cannot get there easily.
Distance from Support Systems
- If someone needs to go to the hospital and needs assistance making decisions, you need to ask yourself if you can make it there in a reasonable amount of time?
- What will be the plan if your loved one falls and needs assistance getting up (granted there is not an injury)? Will you call the fire department, a neighbor, a friend?
- What if there is a sudden home repair that needs to be done and they are physically unable to manage it or manage it enough until the repair person can come?
Natural Disasters
- Can my loved one evacuate safely in case of a disaster? (wildfire, earth quake, hurricane)
- Does my loved one have the mental and physical capacity to seek shelter? (tornado)
- Does my loved one have the mental and problem solving capacity to prepare for a disaster? (emergency bag, medications and finding closest shelter)
Weather
- Able to go outside and enjoy nature?
- Does the person like all 4 seasons, warm weather or colder weather?
- Concerns regarding mobility or walking in winter months on the ice or in the snow?
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