What are your tips for staying independent at your own home?

I did invite my neighbors when I threw myself an ice cream social to celebrate my 74th birthday in August! I said no gifts but cards welcome. And I asked the neighbor what her 12 year old son's favorite ice cream was! We all enjoyed each other's company and they enjoyed meeting my son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter (then 15 months old).
Don't remember how I thought of doing the New Years Day brunch, just seemed like a good idea! No obstacles encountered during the planning stage. I also enjoyed planning the menu and cooking. (I like cooking for other people.)

I’m a 78 yr old female. Have lost my husband in March 2024 to cancer. Had looked after him for 2 yrs until admitting him to hospital for MAID Trying to get on with life. I’m able to manage my home doing what is required to stay in place. Have cancelled a LTK replacement and managing the discomfort and strengthening the quads This Christmas was difficult but my kids were with me which was a great support . Tips for depressions,carrying on alone, loneliness Have a westie and we walk every day but it’s the loneliness that’s very hard to deal with. Hard to carry on without my husband. I’m strong willed and determined to handle it Have grief help but I know it’s up to me but it’s still so hard

So sorry for your loss of your husband. March 2024 is still very recent. I'm glad you have a westie who gets you out every day. I hope at least one of your kids lives nearby. If you are a reader, check out your local library, they may have discussion groups, a good way to meet new friends. I attended a Spanish conversation group at my local library and made a lovely new friend this year. You have a great attitude. All the best to you.

Thank you for your kind reply. I have a daughter close which is great but don’t burden her. I have a great coffee group, we meet 3 times a week,also volunteer at the Salvation Army sorting donations one day a week with friends
We also get together for lunches etc. but it’s the evenings that are hard to get use to. The being alone, is hard to get use to. Watching a lot of tv. Passes the time. Staying in my home is not a problem. I can handle everything and until I can’t will stay put. Getting use to new life is a challenge

My husband and I, both in our 60’s , designed a home that would be comfortable for our end of life We live in a rural area with not many options and do not want to burden children! So , hoping plans go our way! We will see as we try to age gracefully, knowing that whatever the Lord has in store for our beginning of eternal life will be fulfilled ending out our year(s) in this home. We are blessed with each day that we have left together! And we know it! We will cherish each minute! And, be ready to accept our beginning of eternal life!

Stay as active as you can. Just within your home is fine! Lots of activities! Walking- riding stationary bike- reading- podcasts- puzzles- txting family members! Handiwork! Whatever makes you happy! A country life is quiet with neighbors not so close. Have to make do and accept happiness from within!!!

We also live the rural life, and we absolutely love it. Our intention is to stay in our home of 40 years as long as we can, hopefully until we pass. I run errands every morning (Post Office, Library, grocery store) and visit with people I know along the way. We have two dogs that keep us company. Reading historical fiction has become a big part of my life, and I love it.

@johnbishop, @laurenbutterfly, @gingerw, @colleenyoung, and all...
Hello my friends from so long ago, for so many years! I have missed every one of you wonderful, interesting, wise friends from my Mayo association.
I've been pretty busy the last several months, last 2 years, with lots of new illnesses, challenges, changes and working with my son and my dear lord to figure this aging thing out for me. Wow! A lot to figure out. Many battles to continue to fight, some even to win. Much refocusing and re-evaluating my situation, my life, my future! Yes, there is a future!
I will be 78 years old Feb. 6, 2025! Did not think I'd be alive at this age, but I'm living until the good Lord decides it's time for me to visit Him. I made that conscious decision this year, to live, Now, I am looking forward to living until I am 87... the age my mother and her mother each left this earth. Or beyond.
Last year, after carefully keeping free from any Covid infection through-out the pandemic, I got Covid in July 2024, and October 2024. July I improved nicely with isolation and Paxlovid. October, not so good... had 3 Remvesider IV infusions at Mayo. The 3rd was delayed as I was getting worse and was sent to ER. I had Covid pneumonia, got my O2 up to 90 in the ER and went home! I would not be admitted! I have a bi-pap and O2 at home used nightly, so I convinced the ER I would stay on them until my O2 stayed at 90+ during the day. Kept me out of the hospital!
I was in bed for a week, on the bi-pap with O2 for 3 full days, 24 hours a day. I beat that infection! But, have not been the same since. Much more limited walking, no pool therapy for months, many more infections, especially UTI and ER visits, hospital stays for IV antibiotics, multiple antibiotics for months, increased heart disease and many limitations.
So, I fought hard. Really hard. I now live pretty much upstairs, in my 3 bedroom condo, full baths upstairs. My bedroom is large with a wall of windows overlooking the parking area, but upstairs I see only God's beauty-my old live oak tree, with Spanish moss-northern Florida-squirrel families, owls, birds of prey, songbirds, and nature. I keep my drapes open all day, only close when dressing. Decorated this room with things I love, my pretties from my life, my Christmas tree is a 3' ceramic tree my mother made for me decades ago, my creche I love and rescue plants that were dying at the garden center, I loved back to life. Have my TV, laptop, cell and then... turned a small bedroom into a wonderful little kitchen with a small fridge with ice, keep all my food supplies there and my favorite only dishes, glasses, and flatware.
Have my groceries delivered and go downstairs to bring them up to my kitchen. Slowly. No hurry... just easy- peasy a step at a time, maybe taking 2-3 trips over a day or two. It works. After several hospitalizations, nursing assistance was wonderful and kept me from having to go into a rehab facility. I don't want to be around people.
I eat yogurt, granola, small ice cream cups for special dessert, diet coke, bottled water, fresh salmon salad, protein drinks, green iced tea... get the picture? It works just fine for me. I live in my upstairs bubble, safe, away from others with infections, welcome the outside world into my world with my windows, learn and keep active upstairs on my laptop, YouTube, movies, cell, Hallow app, and slowly improving. Hit the therapy pool last week!!! Yea! Most days I get 1000-2500 steps in now. Good for me... I am slowly better. Staying in my home of 35 years. Across from my disabled son. I visit him every few days to watch movies or catch up on TV series or listen to a podcast or music.

This is now how I live and stay home. No volunteering, no attending groups, no church-join online no. Isolation is my friends, with several autoimmune illnesses and a wonky immune system. But, I am truly connected to God, my son, my rescue kitty of 10 years, Samantha, my plants, nature and beauty outside my window. Still on the roller-coaster many endure, high ups, low downs... but still have ups! That's a good thing.

I suppose my best advice from my current position in life, is to accept your life as it is given to you, fight like the dickens to make it better, to be as healthy as possible for you. Be your best advocate... fight the system that's usually setting up walls, make your life what you need... Know you can do it... think clearly for what is best for you. No cabinet doors? ok! No steps? ok! Live more isolated if necessary but stay in touch with the world however you can... Enjoy your life with what you have... with God filling your heart and a kitty or puppy if you can... kitty is easier for me now. Ask for help when needed. Be in control of you!

God bless each of you and may you find your best life in this time of your life, whatever it may be.
ESS

So, I stay in my home,

Great to hear from you Elizabeth! @ess77. Hoping you have a Blessed New Year and many more!

Loneliness and depression are hard to deal with alone. You need to get professional help. I don't care how independent you are, sometimes you need professional help. Some ideas for you are to join a health club, go to the YMCA, volunteer at your local hospital, and go to church. There are all kinds of places you can help out. For instance, your local library would love to have you read books to children or teach an adult how to read. You could help HABITAT FOR HUMANITY. Just look online under your neighborhood VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES. I hope this helps. I am going to do something new for the New Year.