Living at home for longer can have significant physical and mental health benefits for older adults. Importantly, it enables older adults to maintain their independence for as long as possible, while also providing a sense of familiarity and control that for many, contributes to a more happy and fulfilled life.
While there may be certain factors that impede the ability to stay in the home, such as reduced mobility and ill health, there are specific measures that can be taken to lengthen the amount of time an older person gets to live within their most familiar surroundings.
In this article, we share some useful tips for older adults who wish to continue living at home for longer.
Tips for keeping older adults living at home for longer
Make the home a safe space
Ensuring that living conditions are safe and secure both inside and outside is crucial for older adults who wish to live at home for longer. With potentially fatal falls being extremely common among older adults every year, carrying out a risk assessment in the home is essential to reduce the likelihood of slips, trips and falls.
This involves highlighting hazardous areas in and around the property and making modifications accordingly.
Safety modifications that facilitate living at home for longer include:
- Installing grab bars in the bathroom and shower
- Adding handrails to staircases and outdoor steps
- Removing trip hazards, such as loose rugs or clutter, to reduce the risk of falls
- Ensuring adequate lighting throughout the home
- Installing or testing smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
- Installing non-slip flooring in relevant areas, such as the kitchen and bathroom
Stay as active as possible for as long as possible
Staying active and engaged is also vital to retaining independence and remaining at home for longer.
Regular exercise can help improve balance, strength and flexibility, which are all essential for maintaining mobility and preventing falls. It can also reduce the risk of developing diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, all of which can impact an individual’s ability to live independently.
Whether it’s a brief daily walk, joining a local dance class or even regularly loosening out the muscles through stretching, maintaining an active lifestyle will improve an older adult’s ability to live in the home for longer.
Be vigilant with medication
Older adults who take medication regularly should ensure they take it correctly and on time.
This may require setting reminders, using pill dispensers or seeking help from a caregiver. It is essential to keep an up-to-date list of all medications and to inform healthcare providers of any changes. Many older people are now also beginning to rely on assistive technology to keep them on track with their doses.
Maintain a healthy diet
Eating well is essential for an older adult’s overall health and well-being. A balanced diet can help to prevent chronic diseases and maintain a healthy weight. To achieve this, older adults should ensure that they consume plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains.
Get transport savvy
Staying at home is a crucial element of retaining independence for an older adult, but going out can be just as important.
Ensuring familiarity with local public transport routes is key to this, as is setting up a network of close contacts among family and friends who can help with providing lifts here and there when necessary.
Make living at home for longer a reality with our home care services
Relying on the expertise of home care specialists can offer significant peace of mind to older adults and their families. This level of support enables older people to maintain their independence while ensuring their welfare is in safe hands at all times, and Blanchardstown and Inner City Home Care is a home care service with a long-running reputation for excellence in home care provision.
Our home help services have been assisting older people within the Dublin 1, 7 and 15 areas for over 21 years, giving them the freedom to live confidently and independently in their own homes for as long as possible. Our professional, caring and dedicated team is passionate about providing the best possible care to support older adults in their daily activities.
Get in touch with us today to find out more about how we can help you or your loved one to get the care and support needed to live independently and confidently at home.
Don’t forget to also take a moment to check out our new blog to learn more about the benefits of our home help services.