Barnorama All Fun In The Barn
Independence is a top priority for many seniors. However, just being able to live comfortably alone, either in a family home or a senior living community, isn’t enough to create a satisfying experience. Seniors who want to maintain independence and autonomy need to establish lifestyles that allow them to thrive alone. Find some tips for how to do so below.
Prioritize Safety
The first key to maintaining independence and thriving alone is to create a living space that’s safe for seniors. For those aging in place, that might mean installing adequate lighting, ADA-approved handrails, or even in-home mobility devices like chair lifts.
It can also mean investigating independent living at Brooking Park. Independent living communities are specifically designed to make it easier for seniors to thrive alone. They feature mobility-friendly housing and amenities that would otherwise be expensive or unavailable, such as housekeeping and laundry services.
Have a Support Network
Everyone needs a strong support network in place to succeed, but this is particularly true of seniors aging in place alone. While those living in independent living communities have easy access to others who can help, seniors aging in place alone need to make arrangements for regular check-ins and social visits. Creating a safety net of trustworthy people who can offer help in an emergency and also regular companionship helps to maintain social connections and prevent isolation.
Prioritize Wellness
Mental and physical wellness is essential for independent seniors. The development of serious health problems can significantly complicate plans to age in place alone, so don’t skip medical checkups. Take medications as prescribed, stay physically active, and find hobbies that promote mental and emotional wellness, like gardening, reading, or community activities.
Plan Meals in Advance
Cooking can pose a challenge for those who are new to planning meals for one. Seniors need to maintain nutritious diets, though, so create time to plan what to eat in advance so each meal has nutritional value. Frozen and pre-packaged foods are best avoided. If cooking every meal becomes too much, explore local meal delivery services instead.
Develop Home Maintenance Strategies
Home maintenance and upkeep can be tough. Creating a schedule for tasks like cleaning, organizing, and repairs makes it easier to stay on top of things, but seniors with physical limitations may need to seek help from their support networks or hire local professionals.
Find Transportation Solutions
If driving becomes too much of a challenge, seniors living alone will need to find local alternatives. Some don’t mind relying on loved ones for rides to essential appointments, but maintaining independence means having transportation via bus, community shuttle, or ride-share program accessible for daily life.
Stay Engaged
One of the most important aspects of maintaining a vital, fulfilling life while living alone as a senior is staying engaged with the world. When living alone, it takes active effort to keep up to date on events, maintain friendships, and foster new connections. WIthout a vibrant social life, though, seniors won’t be able to thrive. Social isolation can also cause physical and mental health problems.
Consider Senior Living Arrangements
There’s no reason seniors who want to thrive independently alone have to do it while aging in place in difficult-to-maintain family homes. Independent living communities offer everything required to maintain both independence and a vibrant social life, making it easier to accomplish basic daily tasks while also creating an environment conducive to socializing and engaging in fun activities. It’s the best of both worlds.