By Mike Clark

As baby boomers reach retirement age the American senior population is the largest it has ever been and will only continue to grow. According to the US Census, the senior population will reach more than 70 million by the year 2030. Studies show that the current senior population desires to age in place rather than moving into a senior living facility. Aging in place does not mean that seniors have to stay alone or that they don’t need help from time to time. In order to keep up their social life and high quality of life, they may need a helping hand. This transition of more seniors wanting to age in place stems from a desire to stay in the comfort of their own home as well as trying to hold on to their independence. In this blog, we are going to discuss some points to think about if you are planning to age in place.

Is your home ready for you to age in place?

The first thing you need to think about as you get closer to those golden years is to take a look at the place you call home and make sure that it is safe and accessible enough for you to continue to live there as you get older. The first thing to consider is, how accessible is the home? It is amazing how many homes are not all that accessible for seniors due to staircases and not enough railing. You have to make plans now to ensure that you are able to continue being mobile in your current home if you have physical disabilities or make other plans that can help you get around. There may need to be modifications made to your current home to make it more accessible. You will also need to think about upkeep and maintenance for your home for things such as yard work and cleaning that you may not be able to accomplish on your own. Adapting your home for safety and ease of use will help you remain independent and stay in your current home longer.

Kitchens and bathrooms are another consideration when accessing your home for safety and ease of use. Some adjustments and modifications may need to be made to these areas to ensure you are able to continue your daily routines. These two areas are the cause of most falls in the home, so you want to make sure they are safe and easy to maneuver in as you get older. Areas in your kitchen and bathroom that may need some redesign are: Are the upper cabinets in your kitchen easily accessible? Do I need to remove rugs and or other trip hazards from these areas? Is my shower easy to get in and out of? These areas can be modified for your needs by a contractor or there may be just some simple adjustments that can be made to make life easier for you. You can move items from upper shelves to lower ones, pick up throw rugs, install handrails, make sure lamp cords and extension cords are out of the way or removed. There are many more things you can do to make sure you remain independent and safe at home. Check out our other blog “Home Improvements for Aging In Place”. 

Are you getting enough sleep?

It is recommended by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), that seniors 65 and older get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night.  It is vital that you get enough sleep to remain healthy and independent. Many seniors tend to nap during the day which can make it more difficult to sleep as long as needed at night. If you have a problem sleeping more than a few hours at a time you may want to consult your doctor. If you are one of those seniors like my mom, she goes to bed with the chickens and wakes up with them as well. She is usually up by 4 am making biscuits as she has done all of her adult life. She is now 81 and lives alone and independently.

Stay Active Socially and Emotionally

As we have spoken about before in a previous blog it is very important to stay socially and emotionally active. Our emotional health is closely related to our physical health. In most people, higher levels of social activity translate to fewer negative feelings, a positive mood, and an overall positive outlook in general. 

As we get older our social circles narrow down. With this in mind, it is important to explore different and additional avenues to maintain a healthy social life. You can begin with trying to stay in close contact with immediate family and friends. The internet and social media of today makes it easier to communicate with them. At the same time, one must make an effort to widen his or her current social network. This can be as simple as joining a gym, senior center, and church groups. You can also broaden your interest and hobbies like taking art or music lessons.

Stay Physically Active

We all know the importance of physical activity and how this improves mobility, flexibility, balance, and endurance whether you are old or young. Physical activity also improves your mood, reduces stress and anxiety, and improves cognitive functions. Check with your physician to see what physical exercise is safe for you and can benefit you the most.

You don’t have to join a gym to get good physical activity in your life. It can be as simple as taking a walk several times a week in your neighborhood or joining an exercise group at the senior center or church.  Many of the senior center classes are geared just for your age group and there is always someone there looking out for you.

Good Nutrition

When we get older our bodies require as many nutrients as it always has, but you may need to adjust your calories to make sure you remain healthy. Make sure you don’t resort to just doing something simple and easy for your meals just to eat but plan a menu that gives you the proper nutrients and vitamins to keep you strong and healthy. You may want to consult your doctor to see if you may need to take any supplements or increase or decrease your intake of certain foods. Eating healthy has always been important and it becomes more important as we age to remain independent. 

We hope you have found these tips helpful if you are thinking about aging at home. We have only scratched the surface of this topic though and there are many more details that will need to be addressed to make preparing to age in place a success. There are plenty of resources online that offer advice and tips on the best ways to do this so utilize your resources and make sure you ask for help!