Practice Active Aging Independently at the home of your choice!
The choice to want to age in place, is all about you. Choose what you need and Choose what you want to do. Ask yourself what will make your life easier, less stressful, more meaningful, then select what and how you navigate your life in this year, and just go for it!
Analyze and decide what you can do on your own, what family members can help with, and what others can do for you. Choose the luxury of someone else doing some tasks for you, and how often (weekly, monthly, annually), considering your financial ability/status.
Ask yourself:
Do I have the resources to live at home?
List what is important to you while you can, before someone else makes these decisions for you,
You assign someone or arrange for paying bills,
Arrange for annual house safety tasks,
Arrange for a friend or a family member for a check in call on daily basis,
Do you have a will, POA, MOST form,
How many banks are you dealing with, how many credit cards do you have, etc.
Do you have a bag prepared and ready to go in the event of going to hospital?
2. Practice safety checks to prevent issues:
Locking your doors, ensuring windows are safely opened, the house temperature is right for you,
The fridge is cleaned, outdated items are checked for, you do it or hire someone else to do it
Your stove is turned off when not in use,(device available)
Your dryer and washer are working,
The water taps are not left running (device)
Do you have a safety pendant and is it always on your body and accessible in the event of emergency,
Are your floors safe, and decluttered,
Medication safety
Need for personal care support,
Would you recognize signs of infection, confusion,
Would you know how to address incontinence issues and products, sufficient hydration,
Who would you call when you need someone to do a meals prep, transportation, to do your errands,
Who would you call to arrange for companionship, caregiver’s respite time, yard work, gardening, pet wellness. 3. Plan ahead the prevention of:
Caregiver burnout and exhaustion,
Burnout and resentment,
Shame to ask for relief (if you are a caregiver to your spouse, a family member) for peace of mind, acts of love, time and rest, 4. Ensure to check with yourself by asking yourself: Do you y feel lonely, bored, and hopeless? Ensure to evaluate your choices on a monthly basis, crossing over what you completed. Are you meeting your choices as planned? What makes it easy and what needs to change; then plan again and start catching up. Resolve it by:
Choose to have suitable help to address your needs.
Start slow and begin with short visits to get used to it,
Evaluate how liberating it is to admit you need help from time to time,
You are still a person who has needs and wants,
Services are available, just reach out for them,
Practice active aging at home by visiting the gym, twice/week, and taking walks. Age well by taking necessary steps! Practice your choices, you are your own priority now and pay attention to your schedule. Make your doctors appointments have a good start by ensuring your plan consists of good to have, and must have, goals:
Consider these three key things: taking your meds, good nutrition, and lack of loneliness. People will always talk about how taking your meds, keeping fit, and eating well are the most important things. But if you don’t have motivation, you won’t do those things.
Recognize that being connected to other people gives you the motivation to take your meds and take care of yourself. It’s about helping people understand the motivation element as the driver to physical health and wellness. Promote your social connection:
Retirement can be both exciting and overwhelming. With family and community dynamics continuously changing, we focus on a fulfilling social life that can combat feelings of boredom and isolation.
Plan weekly family outings
Plan weekly activities with friends
Plan a picnic with family/friends,
, library outing, an education course
Boosting health and wellness
Physical activity helps seniors stay healthy and improves their quality of life,
From fitness classes to walking clubs and an active lifestyle may include:
Gym activity
Group fitness classes
Swimming
Water aerobics
Yoga and chair yoga
Dance classes
Zumba
Flexing mental muscles
Learning a new skill can keep the brain sharp while encouraging social connection.
Group and individual activities support cognitive and emotional wellness,
Explore new hobbies you always wanted to try,
Visit other seniors’ amenities to meet others who share similar interests and build a sense of community. Participate in some of the following activities which also promote social skills:
Painting classes
Educational lectures
Book clubs
Computer classes
Foreign language classes
Writing workshops
Quilting
Woodworking classes
Musical instrument lessons
Exploring your surroundings
Continue to drive, and if not, many communities offer access to reliable transportation for shopping, medical appointments, and other errands.
Join group outings and outdoor excursions. These activities allow seniors to try new places and experiences while bonding with fellow seniors. Participate in independent living activities that encourage residents to explore and try new things may include:
Concerts
Local museums
Sporting events
Plays or musicals
Movies
Picnics
Nature trail walks
Community service projects
Trips to farmers markets
Visits to the park
Taking time to nurture a lifestyle that’s fulfilling and engaging after spending decades working or raising a family is invaluable.
Independent living enables seniors to maintain autonomy while pursuing interests and living life to the fullest in a secure and familiar environment.
You have many options to consider and the choice you make will be rewarding!
Your local Community centres and Seniors centres have many resources to assist you and can help answer your questions that fit your budget and lifestyle.
I wish you many happy and fulfilling years to pursue life choices that make you remember a life filled with happiness!
Sincerely,
Diane Miller, RN, MA
Director of Care/Owner & Operator
Seniors Choice For Care Inc.
Cell: 604.551.8867
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