Despite most older adults’ desire to age in place, many older individuals will require residential long-term care (LTC). This chapter will review aspects of Aging in Place, including the physical environment (micro- and macro-environments), as well as psychosocial aspects, such as attachment, autonomy, identity, and socialization. We then discuss lack of fit, for example, when the home is no longer functional or safe or when the care context exceeds what is possible at home. Finally, we discuss how long-term care services can support key aspects of Aging in Place, including designing “home-like” spaces and, perhaps more importantly, fostering residential mastery, residential comfort, autonomy, and socialization. By understanding how to support Aging in Place, including in circumstances when it interfaces with residential long-term care, we ultimately improve the quality of life for older adults no matter where they are housed and cared for. Aging in Place and long-term care need not be an “either/or” construct; rather, these concepts can be compatible with the purposeful design of environments and care practices.

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Aging in Place or Long-term Care? Changing the Narrative to Promote Aging in Place in Long-Term Care

  • Elizabeth Braungart Fauth,
  • Gavin Green,
  • Josey Batura

摘要

Despite most older adults’ desire to age in place, many older individuals will require residential long-term care (LTC). This chapter will review aspects of Aging in Place, including the physical environment (micro- and macro-environments), as well as psychosocial aspects, such as attachment, autonomy, identity, and socialization. We then discuss lack of fit, for example, when the home is no longer functional or safe or when the care context exceeds what is possible at home. Finally, we discuss how long-term care services can support key aspects of Aging in Place, including designing “home-like” spaces and, perhaps more importantly, fostering residential mastery, residential comfort, autonomy, and socialization. By understanding how to support Aging in Place, including in circumstances when it interfaces with residential long-term care, we ultimately improve the quality of life for older adults no matter where they are housed and cared for. Aging in Place and long-term care need not be an “either/or” construct; rather, these concepts can be compatible with the purposeful design of environments and care practices.