Now booking for Spring 2024 - Call 1-833-410-4357 or Book Online!

7 Rules To Keep You Healthy In Your Home

7 Rules To Keep You Healthy In Your Home

7 Rules To Keep You Healthy

There’s no place like home. It’s an often-shared wish, heard over and over again – “I want to stay in my own home.”

The good news is that with the right help you can do just that. Many seniors are aging in place, and it’s easier than ever because there’s so much support out there to help you to live independently, stress-free and where you want to be.

Stay happily in your home, and keep your home healthy too, with our seven rules:

Make a budget: If you have the financial means to stay in your home, then that’s a bonus! There’ll be the regular monthly bills, along with costs for home maintenance, modifications and bringing in help with the chores and tasks that you can’t or don’t want to do anymore. Remember there are loads of age-related discounts out there, so don’t be shy about asking, even if it’s not advertised. You may find that you need help paying bills and banking, and even filling out things like insurance forms. Ask a trusted family member or friend or even a financial professional who’s been referred to you by a trusted source. If you have a computer, pay your bills online, or have your monthly bills paid automatically out of your bank account.

Have a plan: Keeping on top of what needs to be done and when it allows you to age gracefully and peacefully. Don’t let things slide. Prevention is easier than full-on intervention – if you keep up with home maintenance and must-dos, inside and out, your house will stay in working order and alleviate a lot of stress and anxiety. Things like minding your landscape keep your home’s value makes your yard more inviting to spend time in and lets people know someone lives there. Hire a reputable seniors management company, like Custodia, to help regularly with yard tasks, home repairs, and maintenance. Don’t let little issues become big, expensive problems. Check out Grandparents: Young Perspectives.

Order in: And not just meals, although there are lots of programs that’ll deliver hot meals to your door at low-cost. Grocery stores and drug stores will also happily take your order over the phone and online, and deliver the items to your door. Even dry cleaners will pick up and deliver your clothes. Ordering up help with boring chores like housecleaning, laundry and lawn cutting can help you stay in your home, and make time for things you enjoy – like going to a nearby seniors centre or church program to socialize.

Be safe rather than sorry: Home features can help or hinder your ability to stay in your home safely, independently and comfortably. Put in as many home modifications as you possibly can – and before you need them. Consider things like a ramp at the front door, non-slip floors, grab bars in the bathroom, walk-in shower, wider doorways, lever door handles, higher electrical outlets and lower electrical switches. Install another set of eyes with a security camera, and outdoor motion sensor lights are definitely a good idea too.

Who are you going to call? If you live alone and are afraid of falling or getting sick, consider getting a personal alert system that allows you to call for help in emergencies. There is typically a monthly fee for this. Also, go out of your way to know your neighbours so you can keep an eye out on one another. Programing the phone numbers of family, friends, and neighbours into your phone is a big help.

Be social. Isolation is a major risk to your health and independence so stay connected socially. See family and friends often and participate in community centre programs. Get out and volunteer or take up a new hobby. If you have access to a smartphone, a quick text or FaceTime chat can provide continued connection to family and friends. If you’re no longer driving, there are volunteer services to take you to the doctor or shopping. Trade-off with a neighbour or friend – they drive you to get groceries and you cook for them once a week. (Read about, How To Prepare An Aging Brain To Re-enter The Workforce?)

Part with possessions. Declutter along the way so your stuff doesn’t cause safety issues or grow into a major burden for your heirs later in life. Whether your downsizing or staying in your home forever, reducing your possessions reduces stress, let’s you access what you want easily, and maneuver safely and easily through the house. Start by making it a regular practice – set aside one hour on a certain day every week, Take it drawer by drawer. Then work on closets and rooms. If you physically can’t do this on your own, a reputable and reliable seniors management company like Custodia can help lighten the load.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *