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

Posted by Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung, Aug 31, 2023

Many people say they’d prefer to grow old in their own homes. What are your tips for remaining independent as long as possible. What do you do to:
- Keep up with home maintenance and housekeeping?
- Avoid injuries around the house?
- Combat loneliness or stay connected?

Any other tips?

October 25, 2023: Update from the Community Director

The knowledge exchange shared in this discussion helped to create this article written for the Mayo Clinic app and website. Knowledge for patients by patients and beyond Mayo Clinic Connect. Thank you for all your tips.

Aging at home: Advice for staying independent

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.

sillyblone | @sillyblone | Mar 23 10:06am
In reply to @jake78 "After acting as my wife’s primary caregiver receiving palliative care at home fore over two years..." + (show)
@jake78

After acting as my wife’s primary caregiver receiving palliative care at home fore over two years I found it very lonely in our two bedroom bungalow, so I decided to take in a lodger. Twenty months later and four female lodgers later I’m happy with the experience and for sure my cognitive ability has benefited. Their age has varied from thirty two years to eighty one, and, three different ethnic backgrounds.

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Sounds like it would be a blast to have that. I will keep it in the back of my mind if needed. Thanks for sharing.

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RN | @doclarrea | Mar 24 10:43pm

You just about got it! All you need now is “curiosity “ to always be getting into something and have fun discovering new things

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hicopd | @hicopd | Mar 27 12:15am

There are little platforms one can stand on that can take you up or own stairs that can fold up when not in use. Something like that could work for some folks—depending of their circumstances. A OT might be able to advise about this and other options. Cheaper to install and maintain than an elevator and less dramatic and disruptive than moving.

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2 replies
kaylin7 | @kaylin7 | Mar 27 7:07am
In reply to @SusanEllen66 "@gingerw absolutely! I can see the “handwriting on the wall” unfortunately, I am going to have..." + (show)
@SusanEllen66

@gingerw absolutely!
I can see the “handwriting on the wall” unfortunately, I am going to have to make some adjustments soon. I love living by myself. The freedom is invaluable to me. So I am going to be extremely upset if I have to change my living arrangements.

I already have a walk-in shower with grab bars.
I just started using a walker sometimes and a few of my doorways are too narrow so I’m banging the molding up.

I live in a one story condo, no stairs, and no outdoor maintenance.
I can keep a cleaning schedule for myself. If I do just one extra thing each day, everything will get done. It’s just me, so the condo stays neat.
I use grocery pickup and delivery services.
I shop mostly online.
I live in a 55+ community that has lots of things to offer but I generally stick to my block of nice neighbors.

I have started 2 hobbies over the last 3 years. I paint, and work 1000 piece jigsaw puzzles. I was diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment a few years ago so those activities really keep my brain busy.

I’m working on a Worldwide Ancestral Tree (Wikitree) There are over 30 million people around the world who contribute to this project. I also have my family tree on Ancestry. I’m usually up until about midnight working on those projects.

So, I keep busy all by myself. Some days I’m a little lonely, but most of the time I’m too busy to notice!

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I play scrabble online. I really enjoy the challenge. Pace yourself and enjoy your life😊💐

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Mar 27 8:33am
In reply to @hicopd "There are little platforms one can stand on that can take you up or own stairs..." + (show)
@hicopd

There are little platforms one can stand on that can take you up or own stairs that can fold up when not in use. Something like that could work for some folks—depending of their circumstances. A OT might be able to advise about this and other options. Cheaper to install and maintain than an elevator and less dramatic and disruptive than moving.

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That option will be on our list if the time comes and we are in our current home. You are so right - we spend years or decades customizing our space to suit us, then uproot and move...to do it again?
The thing we are doing this year & next is figuring out how to simplify my 40+ years of gardens (7 on our 1/3 acre) so we can maintain them with less help. This is more emotionally difficult for me than getting rid of "stuff" because it is our personal paradise from May - October, enjoyed by family, neighbors and friends.

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hicopd | @hicopd | Mar 27 12:01pm

I give folks credit who opt to downsize and move to a place that’s smaller but will work for them. Our home is 3 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms. H would be lost without the yard and all his tools outside to putter around with.

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1 reply
ireland123 | @ireland123 | 6 days ago
In reply to @hicopd "I give folks credit who opt to downsize and move to a place that’s smaller but..." + (show)
@hicopd

I give folks credit who opt to downsize and move to a place that’s smaller but will work for them. Our home is 3 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms. H would be lost without the yard and all his tools outside to putter around with.

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Hi, your husband sounds like mine, I would love to move where there are no stairs to deal with. We have 3 bedrooms and a bath and a half. Since he is a lung cancer survivor and I have COPD we have moved to the downstairs bedroom. But
he has his workshop down in the basement and isn't willing to give that up which I get. it keeps him busy at 78 but at times he has fallen and its up to me to help him up which is getting harder and harder. So I understand you 100 percent

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Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | 5 days ago
In reply to @ireland123 "Hi, your husband sounds like mine, I would love to move where there are no stairs..." + (show)
@ireland123

Hi, your husband sounds like mine, I would love to move where there are no stairs to deal with. We have 3 bedrooms and a bath and a half. Since he is a lung cancer survivor and I have COPD we have moved to the downstairs bedroom. But
he has his workshop down in the basement and isn't willing to give that up which I get. it keeps him busy at 78 but at times he has fallen and its up to me to help him up which is getting harder and harder. So I understand you 100 percent

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@ireland123 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect ! I’m glad you’re here.

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ls4mu | @ls4mu | 5 days ago
In reply to @hicopd "There are little platforms one can stand on that can take you up or own stairs..." + (show)
@hicopd

There are little platforms one can stand on that can take you up or own stairs that can fold up when not in use. Something like that could work for some folks—depending of their circumstances. A OT might be able to advise about this and other options. Cheaper to install and maintain than an elevator and less dramatic and disruptive than moving.

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Please describe these "platforms". Where do you purchase them?

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1 reply
hicopd | @hicopd | 5 days ago

You can search small space standing stair lift for more info. Sorry, I can’t post but there are several that pop up from the search.

Here’s just ONE manufacturer’s website. I have NO experience on this matter and would urge anyone thinking of this to consult their healthcare provider, OT/PT, etc.
https://modernize.com/stair-lifts/types/standing-stairlifts

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