Remaining at "home" is the wish of almost all people as they grow older and face physical limitations.  It represents familiarity, stability, security and most important of all – independence.  To continue the life style they know with family, friends, and neighbors motivates older people to take part in the routines of daily living, even as some of the tasks become more difficult. Placing your relative in a nursing home or other health care facility should be considered only as a last resort.

As the cost of residential care in nursing homes and adult care facilities becomes more expensive, public policy and government programs are attempting to establish community-based services that allow seniors to "age in place".  The availability of services in a given area, cost, as insurance may not cover the services needed or access to them is based on financial eligibility.

What services should you seek for yourself or on behalf of a relative that wants to remain in the community?  The following are a few of the options:

Adult Day Care or Senior Centers offer not only the companionship of neighbors, but also a variety of activities to keep a person active.

Managed Long Term Care a state government sponsored program that offers a broad range of services to assist people to remain at home with the assistance of a case manager, who evaluates a person's needs and coordinates the services required.

Licensed Home Care services supply aides to provide personal care such as bathing, shopping and meal preparation, light housekeeping and the safety of having another person on hand for emergencies.  Health care services are usually provided with the supervision of a nurse.

Certified Home Health Care provide physical and occupational therapy and specialized services such as ventilator or hospice services can be provided by appropriate approved agencies. 

Assistance can be obtained by paying privately, possibly through your private health insurance program or Medicare and Medicaid.