As we celebrate Healthy Aging Month, it’s important to spotlight the challenges that come with aging. It is vital to plan for the future and maintain our independence as we age. As we grow older, we face a lot of physical and mental challenges that can make it harder for us to carry out daily tasks. That’s why it’s so important that our aging adults take necessary steps to ensure they live a fulfilling life. In this blog post, we will be discussing useful tips and strategies that aging adults can implement to maintain their independence for as long as possible.
Growing older has its fair share of ups and downs, but one of the most significant fears that aging adults face is losing their independence. The ability to live a full and fulfilling life on their own terms is essential to many individuals, but maintaining this independence can become more challenging as we age. But rest assured, there are ways to maintain your independence as you grow older, and this is where a nurse advocate can be helpful. For a free list of all the documents and decisions needed to plan for your golden years, you can get yours HERE.
Plan for your golden years: Start by thinking about how you would like to live when you get older. Do you want to stay in your home, or would you like to move to a retirement community? Once you make that decision, it’s important to plan financially for those golden years. Start saving early, and don’t be afraid to talk to a financial planner about your options. This planning process takes knowledge. You don’t know what you don’t know. Here is where a nurse advocate can begin the planning process. The advocate can interview you and your family and determine what your goals are for your golden years. Once we know the goals then we can drill down and take it step by step to address all the goals and potential circumstances that could get in your way. Below are some of the things we will need to consider.
Growing older has its fair share of ups and downs, but one of the most significant fears that aging adults face is losing their independence. The ability to live a full and fulfilling life on their own terms is essential to many individuals, but maintaining this independence can become more challenging as we age. We all drank the Kool-Aid, so to speak, that our golden years are truly golden. Time to travel, spend time with family and grandchildren, go fishing, etc. Our fear is that we will be able to get all of these things accomplished. But rest assured, there are ways to maintain your independence as you grow older, and this is where a nurse advocate can be helpful.
Healthy Aging Month focuses on embracing an active and healthy lifestyle, as we age. When it comes to aging, maintaining independence is a common desire as we want to lead a fulfilling and active life. As we age, it becomes essential to plan on how we can sustain our independence and lead a comfortable life. Our independence begins within the comfort and safety of familiar surroundings, and by taking care of our health and well-being. We will focus on how our aging adults can plan for their golden years to help maintain their independence for as long as possible. We will also highlight some ways a nurse advocate can help elderly adults stay independent throughout their Golden Years.
Housing: Planning for your Golden Years can help you maintain your independence as you age. One of the essential parts of the planning process is deciding where you want to retire. Some people prefer to downsize their current home, while others relocate to retirement communities. It’s advisable to explore the different retirement options that are available to you so you can make the right choice. If you decide to stay in your home, you may need to make some modifications to make it easier to navigate, like installing grab bars in the bathroom or having a ramp installed at the entrance or wider doorways. Don’t forget to get rid of any rugs that can cause falls and create hazards.
As you age, downsizing to a smaller home or assisted living facility can provide numerous benefits. Smaller spaces mean less upkeep, meaning fewer responsibilities on your plate. It is essential to think about where you want to live and what supports you need to maintain your independence. Downsizing can also mean living closer to friends and family, leading to easier access and support in case you need it.
Aside from housing, in-home assistance is another way of maintaining independence as you age. You may require outside assistance with medication management, meal prep, household tasks, or simple companionship, especially if you live alone. A nurse advocate can work with you to create a personalized care plan tailored to your specific needs. It can help you maintain your independence and live comfortably in your own home or make a good choice for alternative senior housing choice. There are some free services out there to help find an assisted living facility in your area. There are also pros and cons about using a free service. You can check out our blog post where we go into a deeper dive on this topic.
In-home assistance: Sometimes, aging adults need support to live independently. If you require assistance with daily tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and personal hygiene, in-home assistance might be an option. A nurse advocate can assess your needs and connect you with a qualified caregiver who can help with tasks. Starting with getting an appointment with your county office on aging. This office can have several titles. Some of the names could be Aging and Disability Resource Center, Senior ___________, Office on Aging, ADRC, and many others. The important this is that these are government offices and are in every county across all of the states. This is always the first place to start. They house all the local resources and can perform an assessment to see what reduced cost or free services you may quality for. A nurse advocate can assist you once this is complete to help put a plan in place or help you find resources and vet them if you do not qualify for free services.
Hiring an in-home caregiver can provide daily living support and companionship, and it’s an excellent way to maintain independence in a familiar environment. A nurse advocate can help you (or your loved one) find an in-home caregiver that fits your needs and lifestyle. We did a blog post and have a checklist for hiring a private caregiver. We share in-depth information on the pros and cons of hiring a private caregiver vs. hiring an agency. You can access that HERE
Medication management: As you age, medication management becomes more important. To avoid forgetfulness and confusion, consider using a medication dispenser to keep track of medication. You can also enlist the help of a nurse advocate to help with any medication management issues you might have. There are all kinds of dispensers to choose from depending on the sophistication of the device you need. There are regular ones that someone has to fill weekly or monthly. At the other end there are medication dispensers that talk to you, remind you until your take, alarm, open automatically etc. One we like to recommend is called HERO Medication Dispenser for the more robust needs.
Aging adults often take multiple medications daily, and keeping track of each medication, the dosage, and when it was taken can be overwhelming. A nurse advocate can create medication management systems to ensure all medications are being taken properly, and they can help coordinate with healthcare professionals to adjust or change medications as needed.
Medication management is crucial for seniors who are taking multiple medications for chronic health conditions. It can be hard to keep track of everything if you don’t have a system in place. A nurse advocate or a family member can provide medication reminders and help to simplify the medication taking process. They can also work with your doctor to ensure that you’re taking the right medication in the right amount at the right time.
Meal prep and household tasks: Eating well, meal prep and maintaining a clean home can be challenging as we age, but it’s important that we maintain our health. Consider hiring a personal chef or a cleaning service to assist you with these tasks. This ensures that you maintain a healthy diet and have a clean and safe home environment. Chefs for Seniors are a great option for that special meal or for a more regular option. They cook right in your home and purchase the groceries. Some will even do freezer meals. See if you have one in your area, if this is a level of care you would like to pursue.
As we age, everyday tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and grocery shopping may become more difficult. The Aging and Disability Resource Center or A nurse advocate can help you find resources that can assist with these tasks, such as local senior programs, meal delivery services, or in-home assistance. Another resource to look for options in your area would be the Social Worker at your clinic where your doctor visits are.
Meal prep can also be a considerable challenge for seniors as they age. A nurse advocate can help you create a meal plan, which focuses on healthy and nutritious foods that fit your dietary needs. It can help ensure that you’re getting the proper nutrients you need to maintain your health and well-being. Most medical clinics also have an RD or Registered Dietician that can also help with meal planning for a general diet or a special diet depending on any chronic condition or special dietary needs.
Maintaining Independence: Maintaining independence at home takes a team effort. You may need assistance with different tasks ranging from housekeeping to transportation to medical care. A nurse advocate can coordinate all the services you need and help you navigate the healthcare system. They can also help you connect with other professionals like Home Healthcare Aides or Physical Therapists to help you stay active, healthy, and independent.
Conclusion:
Maintaining independence as you age is essential for a full and fulfilling life. Maintaining independence necessarily means a lot of planning and preparation, but it is possible with the right support and attitude. By focusing on your health, choosing the right living arrangements, and having assistance and support, you can continue to live independently as you age. A nurse advocate can help you navigate through these challenges and find ways to help you maintain your independence while making the most of your Golden Years. They are your resource, as an independent advocate that the only job is to advocate for you! Remember to celebrate the milestones and embrace the changes that come with aging. With the right mindset and support, you can lead a fulfilling and active life.
Take care and we hope to see you back here soon to complete our series on Healthy Aging. Make sure you check out the resource section to provide extra information on this topic.
Pam and Linda
Your Nurse Advocates
“Compassionate care for aging parents, peace of mind for adult children.”
Resources
Your Nurse Advocate Consulting-Website
Free Course: Understanding the ABCs and Terminology of Senior Care
Take the Free Quiz on “How Prepared are Your for Your Golden Years?
