No one wants to relinquish their independence when they age. The idea of someone feeding and bathing you feels like losing your dignity.

As the baby boomer generation enters elderhood, we will need more resources. Especially to enable independent living. Each new generation wants to hold on to their self-sufficiency longer.

Living independently as a senior can be a struggle. But, with the right tools and resources, it’s possible. Keep reading for the ten best tips to allow seniors to live an independent lifestyle longer.

1. Maintain Activity

To continue living independently as a senior, you need to stay healthy. This means maintaining your flexibility and mobility. Physical exercise is key.

Some seniors enjoy group fitness classes. Programs targeted towards seniors will be gentler and slower than regular classes. Aqua-fit and chair aerobics are great options for elderly fitness.

At home, seniors should stretch daily. Working on flexibility promotes agility and speed of movement. It’s normal for elders to lose flexibility, but stretching can hinder that.

Seniors should also consider utilizing fitness technology. The Apple Fitbit is an excellent way to track your fitness from home.

2. Secure the Home

One reason seniors don’t live independently is the fear of break-ins.

It can be scary knowing that you’re helpless in the case of a break-in. The families of some seniors would rather they live in a nursing home than risk living alone.

To remedy this problem, consider installing a security system in the house.

Some systems are equipped with motion detectors and sound detectors. The high-tech ones can differentiate between a broken window and a plate breaking.

One feature of having a security system is the immediate check-in it spurs. As soon as it detects an intruder, the system notifies the homeowner. Children of the senior can also receive alerts in the case of emergency.

3. Accident Prevention

Seniors are vulnerable to falls that can severely affect their health. While a younger person can fall and get back up, a senior is more likely to fracture a bone or begin bleeding.

To prevent slips and falls, there need to be grab bars installed around the house.

The prime spots to install grab bars are in the shower and bathroom. Staircases should always have railings. You can install grab bars anywhere that you go from sitting to standing.

4. Food Delivery Services

Cooking and baking are fun activities, but they can be dangerous for elderly people. If a senior’s memory is fading, remembering to turn off the oven is a concern. There’s also an issue of leaving food out and it becoming spoiled.

Cutting out food preparation and cooking is often a good idea for the elderly. Instead, consider hiring food delivery services like Meals on Wheels.

These services focus on providing healthy meals to those who can’t cook for themselves.

5. Home Care Services

Since we all lose our licenses in old age, it can be hard to get your errands done. Some things can get delivered, but not everything.

Look into senior home care organizations that provide rides and friendship to elderly people.

Their task could be accompanying you while grocery shopping. Or, housekeeping tasks like cleaning and laundry. Taking you to doctor’s appointments is also an important task to complete.

6. Medication Dispensers

A senior with the start of memory loss can still live an independent lifestyle thanks to the life-changing technology of medication dispensers.

These devices dispense the correct medications at the correct times. All you have to do take the dispensed meds.

Usually a loved one or caretaker will fill the dispenser weekly. Then, it’s good to go. Families can rest assured that their loved one is taking the correct medications.

7. Stay Social

Despite having a full social life as an adult, many seniors become isolated and lonely in their old age.

Why is this? It could be due to lack of mobility and the ability to meet with friends. Diminishing memories also affect friendships.

Unfortunately, senior isolation leads to premature death. Loneliness increases the chances of depression, weakened brain function, and poor health.

Seniors need to make socializing a priority. Regular phone calls with friends and family are great. Or, scheduling a monthly mixer for seniors to mingle at can be fun.

8. Install a Peephole

Seniors are often targeted by scammers looking to steal their money. Highly-skilled scammers expect elderly people to be naive and weak.

To combat door-to-door scammers who try to sell goods to seniors, install a peephole.

This gives you the ability to see who is knocking on the door. If you don’t know them, you don’t have to answer the door. This is also beneficial for personal safety.

9. Medical Emergency System

There are many different devices that offer one-touch emergency contact.

Should you fall and be unable to get up, you can be in contact with help right away. Many devices are in the form of necklaces or bracelets. The button on the device connects you to medical professionals who can assess what you need.

This removes the need to find the phone in the case of an emergency.

10. Install a Lock Box

Since seniors can’t always get to the door when someone knocks, a lockbox is helpful.

The box can contain a house key and a code that only close family members know. This enables family members to let themselves in. It also allows them to check in on you if they haven’t heard from you.

If you aren’t close with your family, another trusted adult could have the code. It’s important for someone who checks in on you to know it.

Want More Tips on Living Independently as a Senior?

As the population ages, more seniors will plan on living independently. It’s possible for you to thrive as an independent senior, but you’ll need certain resources and tools.

Assess your house to ensure it’s safe. Build a supportive network of friends and family. Take all preventative measures to stay healthy.

For more tips on living independently as a senior and overall happiness, check out the blog.