One significant concern for both older people and the loved ones of older people can be losing independence. The thought of not being able to take care of yourself or having to depend on others for certain activities can be a daunting one. Especially if you’re fiercely independent in your mind and personality, being physically dependent on another can be a difficult admission.
While there are some physical ailments or situations you simply can’t control as you get older, there are many ways you can give yourself the best chance to retain that all-important independence as you age and feel better about your circumstance as a whole.
Stay Active and Healthy
To give yourself the best chance of remaining mobile, fit, and healthy, you need to make sure you have a good exercise routine in place alongside a healthy diet. Combined, these will help your mind and body to stay the healthiest they can be, which means you can combat a lot of symptoms of aging. This could be becoming overweight, becoming more inactive if you’ve retired, negative mood, or having difficulty getting up, moving about, or walking.
Find an exercise you love so that it’ll be more likely that you’ll keep up with it. Meal planning is also a great way to make sure you can fit in all the healthy ingredients needed for your particular age and lifestyle requirements.
Ask for Help When Needed
Retaining independence doesn’t mean stubbornly doing everything yourself. You can still be independent, but recognize when there are areas you do need help with. Taking control of what you can do yourself and what you need to find assistance with can still help you to stay organized with your own life and put yourself at the fore.
It may also be that you need to move into an assisted home, but you still want to live independently. With this in mind, you can use services like Discover Senior Living Directory to find independent living facilities; with Discover Directory, you can find a home setup that works for you.
Keep a Tidy Home
A lot of confidence in being alone can stem from knowing you have a safe and organized home environment. You can easily begin to feel vulnerable if your home is full of trip hazards, difficulties, or a layout that you’re struggling with.
Keeping a tidy, clean, and organized home will help you to live in an independent way, confident that you can move around your home safely without extra assistance or without worrying about hurting or injuring yourself.
You Can Still Be Social
You can still be a highly social person while remaining independent. It’s important never to isolate yourself as you get older, especially if you live alone. What’s important to remember is that you’re still in control of your routine, who you want to see, and when you want to see them, so get into a social routine that works for you. It’s okay to say no to being social when you need some me-time, but remember to look into social groups and activities and stay in touch with those who matter.