When we are young we don’t think twice about our independence. As we begin to age, however, the question of how long we can remain independent begins to come into question. While some things may be harder to do as the ageing process proceeds, that does not mean that you have to lose your independence in any way whatsoever. The following five tips will help you maintain your independence as you get older, allowing you to enjoy life to its fullest.
1. Learn How to Put Modern Technology to Work For You
Your kids may want to physically see you every day or communicate with you on a regular basis. This can be made much easier with modern technologies. For example, an iPad can allow you to utilize a program known as “Facetime” in which you and your family can use a Wi-Fi or cellular connection to actually see each other while you talk to one another. If you only have a computer and aren’t too keen on the idea of buying and learning how to use a tablet, ask someone to teach you how to use Skype so you can video conference with your family members through your computer screen.
2. Use Life Assistance Services
Whether it’s an ADT alarm or Life Alert, look into putting a life assistance service into place in your home. If something happens, such as a fall that you can’t get up from, the touch of a button will bring necessary medical personnel to your rescue. Some life assist products can even detect a fall without you having to touch a button, which means if you fall down and can’t press the button or become unconscious for some reason, the life assistance company will try to contact you via a two-way speaker in your home and if you are unable to communicate, will send help for you immediately.
3. Join an Exercise Program
Staying in shape is one of the best ways to maintain your independence. Many areas have exercise programs tailored specifically to senior citizens. These programs can help you stay in shape, and staying in shape is one of the keys to maintaining your independence as you age.
4. Employ the Use of Stairlifts
If you live in a home with more than one story, you may find that the stairs of your home are becoming harder and harder to navigate. Especially if you have to go from your bedroom on a second story to the laundry room in a basement – the use of stairlifts can make such obstacles much easier for you. Simply sit back and relax as the stairlift does the work for you, taking you from one floor to the other with ease.
5. Utilize Public Transportation
If you can no longer drive and you live in an area that offers public transportation such as a subway, bus route, or other means of transport, consider utilizing public transportation to get where you need to go rather than relying on family members to take you to the grocery store and doctors appointments. By utilizing public transportation and familiarizing yourself with the routes offered in your neighborhood, you can decide where you want to get and when rather than having to work around the schedules of others.
While some may fear that losing independence is an inevitable reality, the truth is that there are a number of things you can do to maintain independence as you grow older. The above five tips are great ways to ensure you can continue to do things on your own and in your own way without having to rely on others to do things for you.
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