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

Aging Well | Last Active: Nov 1 12:41pm | Replies (187)

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@colleenyoung

Here's my tip: light bulbs, ice cream and lunch

Huh? you ask. Well, this isn't really my tip but a quote from neuroscientist, Daniel Levitin, who wrote the book " Successful Aging: A Neuroscientist Explores the Power and Potential of Our Lives."
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-jan-13-2020-1.5424683/a-neuroscientist-s-tips-for-helping-the-brain-age-well-1.5425549
Let me explain:
"When it comes to planning for quality of life in old age, Levitin recommends people ask themselves and their aging family members three simple questions posed by Joseph F. Coughlin, director of MIT's Agelab:

- Who will change my light bulbs?
Meaning, who can do the chores around the house that become difficult or dangerous as we age? Who can you call for help? If you need to pay someone to do those tasks, how much will that cost, and what services are readily available to you?

- What if I want an ice cream cone?
As people's social circles shrink in old age, Levitin said, it's a good idea to set up their lives in a way that makes it easy to walk down the street for an ice cream, a coffee, or a trip to the local pub. That's about leaving room for spontaneity, he said, and guarding against isolation.

- Who are you going to have lunch with?
"Are you living in a place, and have you arranged your life in such a way, that you have somebody to have lunch with once or twice a week?" Levitin asked."

What's your lightbulb, ice cream and lunch?

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Replies to "Here's my tip: light bulbs, ice cream and lunch Huh? you ask. Well, this isn't really..."

I live alone in my own house, but hire help for some things; such as replacing light bulbs, etc! Also cleaning floors, windows, flower beds, moving furniture. Anything I can no longer do. I have a couple who work for $25 an hr. each.
As for groceries, my daughter and son-in-law take me to buy groceries, pick up meds., see Dr., go to library, sometimes to Church. Lunch is usually here alone.