Being proactive and planning for our senior independent living can help us live the best lives while aging at home. Here are some of the most important elements and ingredients in ensuring the right ways for successful senior independent living:
Financial Security
Having a financially secure retirement is key to being able to live comfortably and as independent as possible. Indeed, having enough funds necessary to cover your retirement living expenses so you can totally take care of yourself in health coverage, insurance, home upkeep, and modifications, as well as any future in-home care assistance to maintain your living standards. Once you had this organized and planned properly, you’ll be in a much stronger position to manage your lifestyle to support independent living at home.
Social Interaction
One thing we need to be aware of is the tendency to become increasingly isolated as we age, especially if we live alone at home. There are several risks associated with isolation including physical safety, negative emotions, and even depression. Our network of lifelong friends and local residents tend to shrink and perhaps our health and mobility impair our ability to travel and get out. Actively social interaction is linked to improved mental and emotional health as well as physical vitality. We receive positive reinforcement and validation as well as a sense of purpose as we continue to interact through organized senior recreational classes and activities. Expanding our network of acquaintances and making new friends with others that share similar interests can fulfill our lives mentally and physically.
Emotional Support
Loved ones, close family members, and friends are especially important to us as we age. Indeed, part of staying emotionally healthy is having and maintaining close, meaningful relationships with those we trust and care for. If our loved ones or friends are no longer with us or live far away, this can create a great emotional vacuum in lives. We all need someone we can rely on during hard times, to confide in and share our feelings with. Luckily, staying in touch is easier in today’s day with numerous inexpensive communication devices such as mobile phones, Skype, email, Facebook, etc. At some point, we may need to have in-home care assistance or medical caregiving. This not only will be a source of skilled aid for you in your home but also is a significant source of companionship. The caregiver will develop a relationship with you as they make regular home visits and help you with your specific needs.
Home Safety
Independent living and aging at home will most certainly require making some modifications and changes to living spaces at some point in time. Ideally, you want to keep your home a safe, secure and practical environment that suits your needs. Our needs will change, and we need to be aware of how we can modify our homes to accommodate our needs but also to prevent and protect us from health and security risks. There are home modification specialists that can assess your home conditions and environments to suit your specific needs such as home alarm systems, medical alert systems, cellular phones, and tablets can be a great addition to your home to support you in living independently.
Healthy Living
Having the right approach to staying healthy is directly linked to our ability to stay as independent as possible during our senior years. Our physical well-being is connected to keeping our home safe and lowering the risks of accidents and injury. Other things we can do is to keep a proper nourishing and balanced diet. With a bit of planning and help you can eat well and maintain a diet that will support your health and give you the longevity and strength. Speak with your doctor about getting some nutritional consulting, take a healthy cooking course, go online for healthy meal ideas.
Getting the Right Assistance When You Need It
Senior independent living doesn’t mean you have to do it all yourself. Even if you’re in great health, have a safe and suitable home with the proper adaptions you need, still can drive far and have the latest security and medical technological devices, you may nevertheless need some extra help. It’s important to recognize when specific tasks and responsibilities become overwhelming, take too much time and feel burdensome. Various caregivers and services specialize in assisting seniors with living at home. At some point along the way, you may need to consider getting assistance such as a private caregiver or in-home caregiver who can assist you with all of the everyday types of activities such as cooking, housework, running errands, accompanying and driving you to appointments or events, personal grooming and hygiene assistance. If you once develop health issues that require skilled care and monitoring but still want to stay at home, you can get the help of a home health nurse.
Posted on May 5, 2023