“I’ve lived here 40 years; no other place will seem like home.”
“Since my wife died, I don’t cook and only eat cheese and crackers.”
These are common issues for older people. You may share the often-heard wish—”I want to stay in my own home!” The good news is that with the right help you might be able to do just that.
Staying in your own home as you get older is called “aging in place.” Many people want to maintain their independence for as long as possible by remaining in their home with help. Maybe you live alone, so there is no one living in your home who is available to help you. Maybe you do not need help right now, but you live with a spouse or family member who does and you need help caring for them. Everyone’s situation is different.
Aging in place allows older adults to stay in a familiar and cherished space. This is a critical and underrated factor in maintaining quality of life as we age.
You may be wondering what support is available to you as you or a loved one gets older and wants to stay at home. You can get almost any type of help you want in your home—often for a cost. But it is important to know that if you qualify, you may also be able to obtain low or no cost assistance with caregiving like meals, household chore services, and personal care through a program called MI Choice Waiver.
Whether fee-based, low cost or no cost, CareWell Services, your local Area Agency on Aging, can help you navigate the options and get more information on the many services available throughout our community. Call us at (269) 441-0930 or visit us online at www.carewellservices.org. We’re here to help!