Steps Towards Aging in Place

Old age. It happens to everyone. As we age, we are no longer able to do the things we once were able to in our youth. Biking in your early twenties with your friends to the nearest cafe was some of the best times of your life - now that you aren’t able to do that, and it might make you a little sad. You may also be aware of the stigma surrounding old age. Nowadays more than ever, there is a notion that aging is a bad thing, heck, some people are acting as if the moment they turn 30 they need to be in an assisted living facility. The promotion of maintaining one’s youth is everywhere, and it can be really difficult to keep up with all the fads and trends - that’s why I’m here. I present to you my guide to thriving in elderly age - no subscriptions or strange trends necessary.

1. Wear your age as a medal of pride

Sometimes, you may feel a bit embarrassed by the number of years you have existed on this earth, and I want to reassure you that you are not alone in feeling that way. However, I want to encourage you to take any negative feelings about your age and channel them into positive feelings. Your life has been a journey. The memories you carry with you and the lessons you have learned in life are beautiful. Every year you become wiser and brighter and you carry more stories with you. You have survived through bad times and have thrived through good times and your age doesn’t and shouldn't change who you are on the inside.

Tips & Tricks for Successful Independent Living

2. Modify your home to make it aging friendly

Twenty years ago, your home seemed fine and easy to live in. As you have grown older, you may have noticed that getting around the house is becoming a little more difficult. Luckily for you, you can age in place in the comfort of your own home with some senior friendly devices and tools. Below is a list of products that I think are great to help you age with grace.

3. Specialized poles for balance and mobility:

Brands such as ACTIVATOR make poles you can use for walking that can aid you in maintaining your balance and mobility. If you have chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, are recovering from surgery, or just want an alternative to a cane or a walker, these may be perfect for you! Plus, the poles look similar to hiking poles, so you will look active even if you are just taking a stroll in the park.

4. Bed rails: As you age, it may become more difficult for you to get in and out of bed. This can be especially frustrating because bedtime shouldn’t be a workout or a safety hazard. By adding a bed rail to your bed, you are adding stable support to help you get in and out of bed. Some products, such as the step2bed take bed rails a step further by adding a small step stool (along with the usual bed rails) to help you get in and out of bed. I love the ste2bed because it combines 2 elderly essentials in one to make your life a little easier. If you live alone and have trouble getting in and out of bed, bed rails are essential to reduce the risk of falls. -

5. Simple Tools For The Day: When you were younger, you may have never considered the idea that completing basic tasks such as putting on clothing or using the bathroom would be difficult to complete. There are many small tools on the market aimed at making senior’s lives easier. One tool I love is designed to help you button your clothes. If you have arthritis, you may avoid shirts that require any type of finger dexterity. The tool has a grip and a hook that threads a button through your shirt.

Another one that has made life easier for so many seniors is a bathtub step stool. With the bathroom being a tricky place for falls and injury, owing to its wet and slippery floors, this device greatly assists seniors in getting in and out of the bath tub safely.

The third tool I wanted to talk about is for those who may have trouble getting clean after using the restroom. With this device you will be able to reach farther to clean up after using the restroom. These devices can hold and release toilet paper so you don’t have to do any touching to clean the device.

As you age, maintaining your independence may be very important to you, and implementing little changes can make a huge difference in your life and your happiness. At the end of the day, it is important to be comfortable and happy. That is what we hope for you.

It's OK to Age in Place!