How the Elderly Can Stay Safe and Independent: A Guide

A common cause of conflict between older parents and their children is often that children want their parents to move into an old age home, while parents may resist this change.

It’s easy to understand where both parties are coming from. Children want their parents to be placed in old age homes so they can be safe, have access to medical care, and enjoy everyday facilities. On the other hand, parents often resist this because they cherish their independence and the comfort of their own home.

Fortunately, there are many solutions that can help meet both needs without a complete lifestyle change. For example, home modifications like stairlifts can make it much easier for aging parents to navigate their homes safely, reducing the need for them to relocate. Stairlifts are particularly useful in multi-story houses, allowing individuals with mobility issues to maintain access to all parts of their home without the risk of falling.

By adding features like stairlifts or accessible bathrooms, older adults can stay in familiar environments while their children can have peace of mind knowing their parents are safer. Home care providers and senior living consultants can offer further compromises that ensure older adults receive support without sacrificing their autonomy.

If you want to learn more about ways that the elderly can stay both safe and independent, you’ve come to the right place.

Look into medical alert systems

While there is always the chance of anyone having a health issue, regardless of their age, there’s no denying that the risks are much higher for seniors.

One major issue that seniors living alone may face is that they may have a medical emergency such as a fall or heart attack, and they may be alone while this happens, and unable to contact someone. As you can imagine, this situation can be terrifying. However, one of the many benefits that these Life Assure medical alert systems have to offer is that they can detect these issues and alert the necessary people.

Keep them social

It can be easy to simply sit on the couch watching Netflix movies all day once you reach a certain age. However, this isn’t a healthy lifestyle for anyone, regardless of their age.

In order for them to stay healthy and independent, elderly people need to get regular social interactions. Not only will this benefit their mental and physical well-being, but it will also allow their loved ones to check up on them and ensure that they are still coping with their current setup. It’s why so many people vouch for going to senior living communities as they tend to have lots of social activities for the residents. The remarkable roles of residents at Clover Group are a great example of the seniors participating directly in community events as well.

Communicate

Of course, whenever there is a compromise involved in any relationship, there has to be good communication.

Elderly people need to be able to talk about their worries without fear of being judged, and they need to have a support system in place so that, if their independence does ever get too much for them, they have people who can help them adjust to a new way of life, such as an assisted living facility.

Similarly, loved ones and children of the older person need to be able to voice their concerns and be taken seriously. It’s important that both parties understand the other’s point of view.

Look into a smaller place

As mentioned, older adults may feel hesitant about moving into a retirement home, which is completely understandable—especially if they are still capable of taking care of themselves and don’t feel the immediate need for around-the-clock care.

However, living alone can sometimes pose certain risks, particularly for those in larger homes with features like stairs, which may increase the likelihood of falls. There are also safety concerns to consider, such as break-ins, which can be worrisome.

Assisted living facilities offer an excellent middle ground by providing a secure, supportive environment while still allowing older adults to maintain a sense of independence. Facilities such as the Arbors of Bedford are designed with safety in mind, often eliminating hazards like stairs and including on-hand staff for assistance if needed. Additionally, they promote a social lifestyle, offering opportunities to connect with others and engage in activities, which can greatly enhance quality of life. This blend of independence, safety, and community makes assisted living a positive and practical option for many seniors.

A good option to consider is to simply downgrade to a smaller place, ideally in a security estate or something similar. This way, they get to keep their independence, but their setup is a bit safer. Of course, moving from a big house to a smaller one may require quite a lot of decluttering, so click here if you need some help with that.

Take them for regular checkups

A good indication of whether or not someone is still capable of living an entirely independent lifestyle is their health.

Once people reach the point where they struggle to move around, or they can’t see or hear properly anymore, it may be time to at least consider some type of change in their living arrangements.

This is why it’s a good idea for seniors to go for regular medical checkups to ensure that their health is still good and that they don’t need to make any lifestyle changes.

In conclusion

People tend to often have narrow-minded thoughts about aging. They often believe that, for an older person to be safe, they need to be in a retirement home or similar facility.

And while this may be true for some seniors, others can easily be independent while still living a safe lifestyle, and we hope that this post proved that point to you. Remember that no two people are the same, so two elderly people who are the same age may have vastly different needs and lifestyle requirements.

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