New York City is consistently rated as one of the best places in the US for older adults to age in place thanks to ease of access to health care facilities, large, active senior communities, and everyday amenities like grocery stores, pharmacies, libraries, and cultural centers located within easy reach.

While there are plenty of reasons why older adults choose NYC for their long-term residence, no city or town is totally free of inconveniences. Fortunately, the assistance of a compassionate home health caregiver can go a long way towards ironing out these day-to-day wrinkles.

Read on to learn four ways a home health caregiver can make aging-in-place in Manhattan even better. 

Making the most out of your space

New York City apartments tend to be quite small. As a result, clutter can accumulate quickly, creating a cramped environment that increases the risk of falling and limiting a resident’s ability to exit their home quickly in the event of an emergency. Further, clutter can contribute to pest infestations that can increase the risk of illness or food waste.

A home health caregiver can make all the difference in keeping these smaller spaces tidy, handling day-to-day chores and cleaning tasks that keep pests at bay and ensure an apartment remains easy to navigate regardless of square footage.

Safer travel

New York City boasts very walkable neighborhoods and a robust public transit system, however mobility limitations can make some trips a challenge for older adults.

Home health caregivers can play a critical role in planning safe routes for their patient, and provide hands-on assistance when managing stairs, entering and exiting busses and trains, and help adapt travel plans should public transit be disrupted by a service change.

With the support of a home health caregiver, accessing all the attractions and amenities the city has to offer becomes even easier and safer.

Fuller pantries, wallets and stomachs

While New York City offers residents hundreds of grocery stores and corner shops to keep their kitchens full, the process of winding through a busy supermarket and navigating city streets with a full shopping cart can make it difficult for an older adult to make the most of their shopping trips. This can lead to older adults skipping bulkier food items or buying smaller quantities of daily staples, leading nutritional gaps or higher grocery bills.

A home health caregiver can play a vital role in grocery shopping, helping residents carry larger orders home and making the most out of their in-home storage by using shelves and closets that the resident may struggle to access on their own.

Additionally, the generally small size of an NYC apartment’s kitchen can pose meal preparation challenges for people at any age. Having a second person in the home to assist with meal preparation and cleaning can make it much easier for an older adult to enjoy healthier, more complete meals without spending their entire day in the kitchen.

Better sense of safety

New York City, like most US urban areas, have gotten progressively safer year over year in recent decades, however it is still completely reasonable for an older adult living alone to want the reassurance of another trusted person in the home.

In addition to the assurance that comes with having companionship, home health caregivers truly shine during emergency events like heat waves, power outages, hurricanes, or winter storms.

With the support of a reputable home health care agency, a home caregiver can play a key role in ensuring an older adult knows an emergency event may occur, ensuring the home has sufficient supplies to ride out an event, stay in communication during an emergency, and if need be, assist the client in evacuating their home should it become necessary.

To learn more about Selectcare and how we help, call SelectCare today, request a free in-home care guide, or read testimonials from our clients and their loved ones.