Community-Based Resources for Aging in Place

Community-Based Resources for Aging in Place

This article relates to Awake in the Floating City

In Awake in the Floating City, Bo is an artist who supports herself by working as a caregiver to home-bound elderly clients. Remaining in one's own home, often living alone and having caregiver help, is referred to as "aging in place," and is frequently preferable to living in a nursing home or assisted living facility; according to the AARP, nearly 90 percent of adults over 65 want to remain in their current homes as they grow older.

The benefits of aging in place include things like maintaining one's independence; preserving familiarity and comfort; and being healthier and safer (with fewer people, there is less microbial spread for an already vulnerable population). Also, aging in place is less expensive than living in a facility.

Many elders, and people with disabilities, need additional resources to be able to remain in their own homes, whether it's equipment like ramps and lifts or formal help from caregivers. For those without family nearby to help out, or without the means to pay for help, there are community programs that offer support. Some of these include:

• Personal assistance services: In many places in the United States, there are publicly funded social services programs that provide one-on-one, in-home assistance, like basic housekeeping, cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping, and toileting assistance, to eligible individuals as an alternative to out-of-home care. In California, where Awake in the Floating City takes place, this is called the In-Home Supportive Services (IHHS) program, but other states have different names for their public programs.
• Meals on Wheels: Meals on Wheels is a program that delivers meals to eligible seniors, providing both nutrition (many of the meals are medically tailored) as well as human contact and connection.
• ParaTransit: There are public transit services for people who are unable to use regular buses or trains in order to attend medical and other appointments. These usually involve door-to-door transportation for those with mobility challenges.
• Adult day programs: These are daycare services for adults needing assistance with non-medical activities of daily living. Often, these include group meals and social activities, and may include some health monitoring and social work. These programs combat social isolation for seniors living alone, as well as ensure some form of monitoring and activity.

Many of these services are funded through Medicaid or nonprofit organizations. Those who are interested in aging in place, or have loved ones who are, should look into public services that can help them stay in their homes.

Filed under Society and Politics

This article relates to Awake in the Floating City. It first ran in the June 18, 2025 issue of BookBrowse Recommends.