The vast majority of people want to grow old in their own homes, living independently for as long as possible – and there’s certainly no reason why this can’t be achieved, as long as you’re prepared to make a few changes here and there, in line with your evolving needs over time.
It’s important to accept that you will start to find certain aspects of life trickier to navigate as time goes on, whether that’s down to changes in your physical capabilities, your cognitive abilities… or both.
However, this doesn’t have to mean that you’ll need to move out of your house and there are many steps you can take that will enable you to age in place successfully.
To help you do just that, here are a few suggestions from the team here at Concept Care. And, as ever, if you need any further help or advice, give us a call today.
1. Fall-proof your house
Slips, trips and falls represent one of the most significant causes of hospitalisation among those over the age of 65, but you can reduce the risks by fall-proofing your home.
Keep pathways clear, declutter your living spaces, keep electrical cords tucked away against the walls, make sure rugs are well fitted to the floor (or remove them entirely), make sure the floor itself is in a good state of repair and clean up any spills immediately.
In the bathroom, use rubber mats in the bath to prevent slips and consider installing grab rails in the shower and next to the toilet to help you manoeuvre your way through the space.
2. Consider home care services
Being realistic about what you can and can’t do is important if you’re to keep yourself safe. Using home care services can help you achieve this, with provisions tailored to suit exactly what you need, whether that’s companionship, help with personal care, cooking, chores, medication and so on.
3. Work on strength building
Staying as active as you can, within your own range of motion and mobility, is important. Building muscle strength and working on your balance can help you as you get older and there’s no bad time to start.
There are lots of strength exercises you can do at home, including sit to stands, mini squats, calf raises, sideways leg lifts, leg extensions and so on.
4. Use smart technology
We’re lucky that it’s the 21st century and the digital age, as it means that we have unparalleled access to innovative technology designed to make our lives easier.
For ageing in place, consider home security cameras, smart lighting for dark hallways and entranceways, smart plugs with timers for devices like fans and space heaters, wearable electronic devices with on-call monitoring and fall alerts, and so on.
5. Stay active in your community
One of the biggest problems that older people face is isolation and loneliness, so do your best to stay as active as you can within your local community, taking part in classes and clubs to maintain those social connections.
