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Health & Fitness

How Long Can Seniors Be Cared for at Home—Realistically?

Patch's blogger on senior and family care says to keep seniors in their homes for as long as possible.

The answer to this question depends on many things, but ultimately it depends on how much support seniors have in their own community from family, friends, neighbors, religious organizations, and ease of access to the medical system. Cash flow, as previously discussed, is another factor that determines how long seniors can stay at home safely. Set up properly, a senior can stay in his or her own home for their entire life. As long as care can be paid for, or provided by family members locally, and as long as the living situation is safe and comfortable, seniors stay at home. In the next few chapters we will give you more information on how this can be achieved.

Tip: If for any reason a senior couple CAN get long-term care insurance for just one spouse, DO IT! If the male spouse gets sick first, and assets are used to pay for his care, the female spouse will still have means to pay for her own long-term care through insurance. Don’t disregard long-term care insurance just because one of you can’t qualify for it due to health, or it’s not affordable for both. Cover at least one spouse whenever possible!

It is important to note that according to a study by the National Association of Home Builders 50+ Housing Council, for those owning single family homes, 35.9% of households in the 55 to 64 age group reported difficulty in at least one physical activity:

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• difficulty in dressing (9%);

• vision or hearing difficulty (11%);

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• difficulty in going out (11.9%);

• difficulty in walking, reaching, lifting, carrying,

climbing stairs or getting around the house (27.1%);

• difficulty in remembering (12.7%);

• and difficulty in working (23.8%).

• More than 45% of those 65 to 74 and 70% of households

75 or older reported difficulty in some activity.

(March 2007, National Association of Home Builders 50+ Housing Council)

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