Why getting older doesn’t have to be scary

WE often put the blinkers on when it comes to ageing, but it’s not necessarily as scary as you might think.

Recent reports tell us that less than 9 per cent of us will find ourselves in a nursing home over the age of 70.

In fact that figure is dropping as in-home services become more widespread, enabling older people to stay in their own home for longer.

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So if you’re a baby boomer feeling a little daunted by the future, I hope this gives you a boost.

There’s now enough (affordable) support out there to help you continue enjoying your independence for a long time to come.

You don’t need to be a super-bendy yoga-body or a seasoned Rottnest swimmer to enjoy a healthy, happy later life either.

Barring unforeseeable health challenges, simply staying active and social can keep you well.

And there’s lots of support out there to make life easier for you, so you have the freedom and energy to maintain the lifestyle you want.

In fact, the choice of services that can be delivered to your door is much broader than ever before, thanks to changes in the in-home service industry.

These can be purchased on a fee-for-service basis, or you can apply for government support to boost your budget.

As your needs change, so can the support you receive.

So you might start with help in the garden, move on to home modifications, and later on even receive regular visits from a nurse – much more appealing than that nursing home!

Be careful though, because there are lots of service providers out there, and they’re not all equal in terms of reliability and value for money.

Look for one that has experience with over-60s and can assist you with any paperwork.

Maria Davison is Amana Living’s general manager home care and housing.