Skyview, a new senior housing development project in Missoula, has just secured $5.9 million in federal tax credits, boosting affordable housing in the area by 32 units. This is great news for the thousands of Missoula seniors wishing to age in place. But with 35% of seniors over 70 saying that it’s not very easy to live independently, what additional support is available to help them?
Home care
Almost 90% of the aging population say that they want to live in their own homes for as long as possible. Home care, where carers attend to the needs of a senior in their own home on a regular basis, is ideal for seniors who require a little extra support. A care plan with one of Missoula’s care groups can be arranged so that the aging individual receives help with showering, dressing, cleaning their home, and getting to appointments. A carer can come in as often or as little as is required to ensure that seniors maintain their independence in their own homes for as long as possible.
Photo by Todd Cravens
Live-in care
Live-in care is similar to home care, except a carer lives full time alongside the senior in their home. This is ideal if the senior has a condition that requires substantial care, such as dementia or Parkinson’s disease, as there is always someone on hand to help. Having a full-time carer in the house is also beneficial for a senior as it means they’ve got a companion at all times. One in three seniors say that they are lonely, and research suggests that this can impact their physical and mental health. But by having a live-in carer, loneliness isn’t a problem because there’s always someone to talk to, to reminisce with, and to have lunch with.
Help with meals
50% of older adults are at risk of becoming malnourished, according to Public Health Post. More often, it’s seniors that are aging in place that are susceptible to malnourishment as they buy few nutritious ingredients and spend little time, if any, cooking healthy meals. But Missoula County’s Meals on Wheels service is an ideal way to ensure that seniors in the local area are eating a well-balanced diet on a daily basis. Community lunches are also regularly held in the area, and provide meals using locally grown produce in a fun and educational environment.
Seniors in Missoula have a wide range of services available to them to aid them in their own homes. Whether it is help with basic household chores, a friend, or a full-time carer, Missoula’s aging population has got it all on their doorstep.