This blog, “How to Stay Independent in Old Age” was my first blog article for Telecare24 that I have now updated. I’ve been an ambassador for Telecare24 for many years. It’s wonderful to be able to share some useful information through my vlog, where I was discussing different subjects, focusing on health issues that are real areas of concern for elderly people.
In this blog, we’ll explore some simple but effective ways for staying independent as we age. These tips are designed to help you or your loved ones continue living life to the fullest.
Keeping as active as possible, both physically and mentally, is vital and helps us maintain our sense of achievement and self-esteem. If we feel that we have started to lose that independence and feel overly reliant on other people, then that can make you anxious and sometimes even trigger feelings of depression.
Even if you have a condition such as arthritis, there are simple exercises you can do to keep as agile as possible. Crossword puzzles, video games, and participating in social activities are excellent ways to keep your mind sharp and can delay the onset of dementia.
Therefore, stay as active as you can. Even using services like Skype to communicate with your family can help you maintain your sense of social inclusion.
In this article, you can find some more tips for staying independent in old age. They are:
Tips to Stay Independent in Old Age
Focus on Fitness
People often think that the best time to focus on fitness is when they’re young, but statistics show that the benefits of being active in old age are worthwhile. Many studies have shown that people who are active in fitness are less likely to suffer from health problems such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.
Just by keeping our bodies moving, we can boost our quality of life, make a difference in how we feel about ourselves, and even reduce our chances of getting dementia.
As we age, it becomes more and more important to focus on our fitness and make sure that we remain active. We can do regular exercise, take up new hobbies, stay social, and eat a healthy diet to make sure that we are focusing on fitness in old age.
Don’t Skip Medical Appointments
Your doctor can identify and treat any issues during the appointment, and you have a chance to ask questions and receive expert advice. So, it is important to develop a good relationship with your healthcare professionals to ensure you are taking all the necessary steps to feel great and stay active.
Get Involved in Your Community
Retirement can sometimes feel a little, well, slow for someone who has spent most of their adult years working outside the home or raising a family. It takes time to adjust from your busy lifestyle to your relaxed one.
Getting involved in your community is the best way to ease the transition, which provides a chance to have social interactions between friends, acquaintances, and organisations that create a feeling of belonging and well-being.
Make Use of Connected Technology
Technology can be part of the solution, connecting people at a distance and providing access to essential services online. There are some devices designed for senior citizens, which helps them to stay independent.
So, older people can use standard tablets, laptops, smartphones, and computers for various purposes, like video calling with their family members who live far away, learning new ideas, and for entertainment purposes. By doing so, it will reduce their sense of loneliness.
Safety and Security Alert System
It is important to make sure that the elderly parents are safe, particularly if they are being cared for from a distance. It is very important to ensure that their environment is as safe as possible for them to live in. So, you always make sure that you have grab bars in the bathroom, kitchen safety, medical alerts and fall detection devices etc.
As we get older, we are more prone to falling over. In fact, 50% of people over 75 fall over each year. The important thing to remember is that if you fall, it’s vital to get assistance within one hour to prevent long-term repercussions from the fall.
Technology can play a huge part in helping you stay safe in your own home. For example, the Telecare24 fall alarm is a really effective way to ensure help is on hand 24 hours a day should you need it. The fall sensor has been designed to look stylish and isn’t stigmatising like other fall sensors.
If you fall, the sensor activates a call to the care team at Telecare24, who will then get you any help you need. Peace of mind can be immensely beneficial to you and your loved ones.
Staying independent as we age is a combination of staying active, engaged, and safe. By focusing on fitness, keeping up with medical appointments, getting involved in your community, embracing technology, and ensuring your home is secure, you can continue to enjoy life.
For more insights and tips on staying independent in old age, be sure to check out more articles on the Telecare24 blog. If you found these tips helpful, please share them with your friends and family.
