Why I Really Shouldn’t be Doing This

By Dr. Henry J. Svec

Some 5 years ago when we asked my 89 year old mom what was her wish as far as where she wanted to live the rest of her life she firmly stated right where she was-in her home.  That seemed reasonable but little did my wife Mary and I know that decision was filled with so many barriers and misconceptions.

I am a psychologist by profession, real estate investor, new venture investor and entrepreneur.  So I really shouldn’t be doing this.  I didn’t know much about HomeCare when I started but it didn’t take me long to figure it out.

Staying in your home as you age means you do whatever you want.  You want to take 3 showers a day you do that.  You want to go shopping in the morning for butter because it’s on sale and then in the afternoon for coffee with friends you should do that.  You want to play penny slots tomorrow you do that.  You do whatever you want when you want in a safe and dignified way.  You live your life as you always have, just with more care and help from people and technology.

A year ago when my mom broke her hip we all thought it was the end.  She didn’t need surgery just bedrest.  Most wanted her to go to a nursing home.  That wasn’t going to happen. That was a bit of a fight because in most cases if you are 93 years old and break your hip you aren’t going home.  I’m not here to tell you more of her story although the journey certainly did inspire us all.  I am here to say I want to share what I have learned about Aging in Place and what a shrink has learned about it.

For a number of years before our personal journey I have been an investor in HomeCare technologies and the companies that create them.  From a device that can give you a quick review of your cardiac functioning, to non-intrusive monitoring I’m beginning to see how Aging in Place is not only better for all of us as we age, but even more value driven and less expensive.

I am also motivated by my father-in-law’s experience in a high end retirement home where he was unable to get a tomato sandwich without a great fight or fresh strawberries when he wanted them.  I’m 63 years old and I will never live in a retirement or nursing home. If you feel the same way tune in twice a month as I share my thoughts and strategies to make this a reality for us all.

Dr. Henry J. Svec is a clinical psychologist at osrclinics.com and the founder of HomeCare by ExerciseMD.comHe is also the author of “Shrink Money Advice” and “Don’t be a Wimp Raise a Strong Leader: Parenting Strategies from Conception to late Adulthood” found at amazon.ca

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