What almost all seniors want is to live the rest of their days in their beloved home. This is the primary reason why a third of those seniors who don’t live in care facilities live in their homes. Half of that third are women older than 75. There are many reasons why the elderly want to stay inside their homes, and they revolve around being in a familiar place, in a community they know and love, and most of all to preserve their independence.
While all of the above is great for an elderly individual, there are also certain risks. With older age, people start to be more prone to isolation and depression. They can also start having issues with memory loss or even dementia. All of this can put them in danger every day while doing chores or working around the house. Although many seniors can live alone without any issues, it would be best to be prepared so that nothing bad will happen. Below we are going to list a couple of things all seniors who live alone should try to do.
Source: pixabay.com
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
This might sound naive, as all elderly try to remain healthy, but there are those who don’t take good care of their health despite living alone. The number one tip on our list is to stay healthy. By staying healthy, you will be able to avoid many risks that come with old age. The best way to remain healthy is to adopt the right diet plan, exercise regularly, sleep well, and get plenty of rest. All of these things will ensure your well-being. Seniors who can’t remain healthy can hardly sustain an independent lifestyle. Taking good care of your body is the right path to staying independent for prolonged periods of time.
Backup Supplies
You never know when a hazard is going to occur, so you need to be ready. In case of an electric outage, you need to have supplies prepared. Some of the basic things you need when a situation like this happens are blankets, batteries, candles, and flashlights. Furthermore, all seniors should—at all times—have bottled water and cans of prepared food that can stay good for a long time. In case something happens and you can’t go to a store for a couple of days, these supplies could prove vital. If nothing terrible happens, and we hope it will not, these supplies will never be used. Either way, it is good to have them stored in the house for a worst-case scenario.
Source: seniorsmatter.com
Fixing Household Hazards
The primary cause of injuries in the elderly are falls. More than 1.6 million seniors in the United States visit emergency rooms due to an injury caused by a fall. Older adults who fall and get injured immediately lose their independence. In the worst cases, they end up in a hospital or in need of daily care. To lower the risk of falls, seniors should equip their homes with non-slip floor mats and handrails.
Doormats should be put near every door. They are not just decorations but could save your life if they prevent water from getting further into the home. Furthermore, many elderly fall because they trip over something. Looking for any objects around the house that could trip a senior, and putting them back in place or completely removing them from the home, is the right move. All items the elderly use each day should be in their proper place. Also, the lighting inside the house should be top notch, as weak light bulbs could impair your vision, which could lead to a fall. Climbing on step-stools and counters is a big no-no. Trying to reach something from a high shelf could be the start of a huge mistake, which could cause severe injury.
Featured Image Source: www.pixabay.com
