Last year the New England Aquarium in Boston announced that over half of their African penguins have reached senior penguin status. Six of the penguins are over 29, very senior indeed! The aquarium has risen to the challenge of caring for their older penguins by making modifications to their habitat, allowing these senior penguins to “age in place” in their birdie community.  

Aging in place refers to not only living but to thriving in our homes as we age. For some this could mean making adaptations in their homes to accommodate changing physical needs. For others it means moving to smaller homes or apartments within their familiar community. According to AARP research, more than 70% of older adults want to live in their homes or communities long-term. We all feel more secure, more independent and more connected when we are close to home. Aging in place promotes satisfaction, positive quality of life and self-esteem, all important aspects of remaining healthy and happy as we age. 

Everyone benefits when seniors are able to stay in their communities. Anyone who has been to a town meeting in Maine knows the value of the shared wisdom and experiences from long-time community members. Older adults tend to volunteer at higher rates providing help and support for others, making communities stronger and more livable for all ages. 

In her book "The Second Fifty: Answers to the 7 Big Questions of Midlife and Beyond," Debra Whitman, Ph.D. reminds us that it is important to plan for where we want to age sooner rather than later. Planning to age in place requires us to be honest about our health and the ability to access family support and community resources. AARP and other organizations have practical checklists to help older adults plan to age in place. The AARP HomeFit Guide(available for download at AARP.org/HomeFit)explains different types of home modifications to meet our needs as we age. Maine’s local Area Agencies on Aging are a great resource to help families identify and access community services to enable older Mainers to stay in their homes. 

Most of us don’t really think about how our age might impact where we live. Taking time to plan for where we want to age, having conversations with our families, and using resources from AARP and community organizations can help all of us be ready for whatever the future might hold. 

As always, please check out the AARP Maine web page to find an AARP event near you.