Life’s Parallel Journeys
This September, our family welcomed sweet little Jack Franklin!
While we are slowly adjusting to our new family of 4, it became clear how similar the preparations this phase are to the adjustments needed for aging in place. Both of these stages in life involve significant changes requiring careful planning, adaptability, and constant awareness of new needs. Just as new parents must adjust to caring for a baby, families planning for aging in place need to consider options that ensure longevity and comfort at home.
One of the biggest expected adjustments we faced with our newborn was the disruption of our sleep schedule. Waking up throughout the night for feedings and diaper changes has become our new normal. This mirrors the experience of many older adults who also experience disrupted sleep, often due to needing to use the bathroom or dealing with discomfort.
We expected changes in our sleeping patterns, we were able to prepare several things in advance. The most important thing we addressed is lighting – as it’s less than ideal to turn on bright lights in the middle of the night!
We added a smart plug to use our voice to turn on and off a light – just in case our hands were full! While we use Google Home, this would also work with Amazon Alexa. We opted to use a light we already had with a smart plug, but could have also purchased a smart light. For those without a smart home, a lamp with a remote is a great option too! This additional lighting is crucial to light our path to the bassinet and changing table in the middle of the night.
Mobility is another area where having a baby and aging in place can be similar. It’s not uncommon to undergo surgeries as we age, like a hip or knee replacement. These procedures can lead to short term declines in overall mobility, similar to those after my repeat c-section. One of the changes we made to prepare for this was ordering a new bed frame. Our previous bed frame was a low profile platform bed, which would be more challenging to get out of post surgery. We opted to upgrade to a taller bed frame, making our bed more of a chair height for easy transfers.
Bending and lifting have become more challenging during recovery – two movements we look at closely to address fall prevention! Thankfully my trusty reacher has come in handy this time around – the extra grippy pinchers are ideal for picking up the small toy cars we have in abundance at our house. Room by room we’ve made small adjustments to increase comfort – like moving frequently used items from too high or too low shelves to neutral locations. These small changes help improve comfort and prevent falls around the house.
As time goes on, both new parents and those helping older adults age in place must adjust to new and evolving needs. For us, we found the lighting we added to not be sufficient for overnight cares. We ended up purchasing these rechargeable touch lamps which offer task lighting for overnight cares. For older adults, new needs might include managing chronic pain, adapting to reduced vision, or addressing concerns like memory loss. Recognizing these changes early is key.
Growing older is a constant process of anticipating the next need – regardless if you’re 8 weeks or 80 years old. Whether it’s ensuring daily needs are met, watching for signs of illness, or modifying new areas of the house as changes arise. Needs can change unexpectedly, and it’s important to stay ahead of these changes. Regular check-ups, proactive home safety assessments, and staying informed about potential medical needs are all essential steps.
Whether you’re preparing for the arrival of a new baby or making plans for aging in place, both experiences emphasize the need for careful planning and adaptability. By planning ahead and staying vigilant, we can create environments that foster independence, safety, and well-being—no matter which stage of life we’re in.
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