Prolonging Senior Independent Living Adds to Quality of Life

Remaining living independently in one's home for as long as possible is very important in maintaining a high quality of life and keeping healthcare cost to the minimum. Prolonging senior independent living can be accomplished through a series of coordinated objectives. Each facet of one's living arrangement must be considered to identify areas of risk and improve the overall efficiency and quality at which one maintains their independence. Matters such as financial considerations and legal decisions must be addressed in order for of your loved one to have the foundation necessary to make decisions which are appropriate for their independent living arrangements.

Concerns such as safety around the house are important to consider because high-risk areas which are prone to cause accidents need to be removed from the living environment. A perfect example of this is slip and fall areas such as wet tile floors in bathrooms and patios and area run rugs which can be easily cause trips and falls. These things are common in many homes and can be overlooked as dangerous if not considered with the perspective of creating a safe environment for which a senior can live independently without common risks of falling.

Many seniors today live alone without close relatives nearby staying in communication and having the ability to monitor your loved one's well-being makes the situation more tolerable for the senior and for the person who loves them. Regular feedback and status monitoring can be accomplished through a variety of different solutions available on the market today such as weekly senior care services, in-home monitoring systems, and companion living or visiting arrangements. Recently in the bad economy there has been an increase of seniors sharing housing together which provides the comfort and safety needed to prolong senior independent living for both who were previously living alone.

There are many options to consider when devising a plan for prolonging senior independent living. A good plan makes for more consistent action. Seniors and their loved ones should factor in as many risk considerations as possible and mitigate risks with as much attention as possible. It is recommended the family consult with a professional familiar with elder care issues to identify areas where attention is needed. Areas to consider include budgeting, safety around the home, sufficient planned activities, and capability to perform routine household chores. Aging is a process we all will have to encounter, understanding how to maintain independence as we age is knowledge we all can benefit from.