Aging in Place in Center City, Philadelphia

A confession

I have a confession to make; I miss my closets. I recently moved from a large single home in the suburbs to a small two- bedroom apartment in Center City. Except for my closets there is little I miss from the suburbs.  The advantages at this stage in my life, living in a city far outweigh suburban living. I now get my groceries, dry cleaning and medications from my pharmacy delivered right to my doorstep.  On numerous occasions, I have commented that I do not have to leave my apartment if I don’t want to- everything comes to me.

My move will allow me to age in place

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention define aging in place as “the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level.” One- third of American households are home to one or more residents 60 years or older. Most adults would prefer to remain in their home of choice as long as possible.  Almost 90% of adults over the age of 65 report that they would prefer to live in their home and community as they age, according to a report by the AARP Public Policy Institute.  Friends Life Care’s mission is to help seniors achieve that goal by providing prevention and wellness initiatives to enable members to remain healthy and thriving as long as possible, personal care in the home when needed and expert care coordination throughout to ensure that members have the peace of mind of knowing that they can remain in their homes, live as independently and healthily as possible, and have support when they need it.

Don’t worry about transportation

If one chooses to live in Center City, driving and paying for a car can be a thing of the past. With Uber, Lyft, taxis and free public transportation on Septa for individuals age sixty-five and older, there are no limits to where you can go.  In the near future, Septa is planning to make all fares on the regional rail lines free.  In addition, Philadelphia is a terrific walking city with so many of its cultural institutions within walking distance of each other. Additionally, excellent medical care can be within walking distance or a bus ride away.

For those who still cook

Food delivery services such as Fresh Direct and Peapod are available. Meals on Wheels can also be arranged. For those who prefer to eat out, Philadelphia’s exploding restaurant scene, makes it difficult to decide where to dine. If you want restaurant food but do not want to leave your home or apartment, restaurant services like Caviar and Grub Hub will deliver meals to your home. Many restaurants offer their own delivery services or you can pick up something quick to-go at the Reading Terminal Market.

Home Accessibility: Check!

For those who wish to age in place, the authors of 70 Candles: Women Thriving in Their 8^th Decade, Jane Giddan and Ellen Cole, list such often needed home attributes as an absence of stairs, wide doorways to accommodate a walker or wheelchair, lever -style door knobs, railings and ramps, grab bars and non –skid flooring.

Among the greatest threats to the ability to age in place is falling. Moving to an apartment and or condominium that is on one floor can greatly reduce fall risks. Many residences have washer and dryers in individual units, no more carrying laundry up and down stairs!

In the event that an individual needs to hire a caregiver there are numerous home care agencies that serve the center city area, including Caring Friends Home Care.  Unlike the suburbs, where caregivers need to have a car to get to a client, public transportation is easily available. Many home health aides prefer to work in Center City due to easy accessibility.

Get Social

Social isolation is an issue for many seniors who reside in the suburbs. Research has shown that individuals live longer and have a better quality of life if they are engaged with others and in their communities.  One of the reasons that Friends Life Care implemented their VigR (Vitality, Independence, Growth and Resilience) program in Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs, is so that members and others could connect and socialize while learning about various aspects of health and wellness, exploring interesting sites in the Delaware Valley and learning new skills.

Programs like Friends in the City (FITC), a Philadelphia non -profit organization that calls itself a “community without walls” is designed to bring members closer to the city’s resources and to one another. Penn’s Village is another non –profit organization whose mission is to help support neighbors who wish to remain in their homes as they age or have special needs.  This “village” concept provides services and support to seniors living in their neighborhood through their own volunteer network. The idea is to create a nonprofit organization that arranges services for fee- paying members. Programs like FITC and Penn’s Village help to decrease the sense of isolation and offer many opportunities to interact with friends and neighbors.  Lastly, Temple University Osher Center for Lifelong Learning offers reasonably priced, extensive, non-credit classes in its Center City location at 15 and Market Street for those who want to expand their knowledge and perhaps meet like-minded people.

Aging in place allows individuals to continue the lifestyle they choose with the safety they need, the independence they deserve, and the comfort they enjoy. Center City, Philadelphia is the place to explore when considering aging in place options.

Contributor:

Linda Koven is a licensed clinical social worker with more than 35 years of experience. She has worked in both inpatient and outpatient hospital settings, and with special needs, mental health, and geriatric clients and their families. Linda specializes in assisting families in crisis. Linda joined Intervention Associates in January 2008.  Previously, she worked for Jewish Family and Children’s Services in Philadelphia. She earned her MSW from Adelphi University School of Social Work in Garden City, New York.