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

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.

@maggieb892

There is an online program called Nymbl that is free (where I am) that may be able to improve balance. It might be worth a look

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Thank you for your suggestions
I will definitely try on line.
I also booked 3 physio to see if My walking ability improves.

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Wow. You all have such great suggestions on avoiding the rest home and remaining an independent. I love the idea of getting a “fall device.”

I am sitting and preparing for my appointment with my internist/cardiologist
doctor here at Mayo. Something else came to my mind. Pardon my frankness.

To remain independent, we must think independent. That is, there is a three way struggle between us, our bodies and the doctors. I am learning also to seek a second or even and third opinion. In other words, don’t settle for less.
I went to four doctors, (three were specialists) and one thoracic surgeon. One told me that it is my “age.” Another told me that I should consider a retirement center or a care center. I choose to seek what is right for me. An opinion always about my age is not what I will seek.
So we must be independent, think independently and enjoy living independently. Onward.

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@rca

I would like to get out and take a ride to the beach.
People stay away from me as it's difficult to deal with someone who has a walker and walks slowly. People don't want to be with you when you are different. Lously for socialization. No transportation and no one to do things with. I used to get in my car.

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Avoiding the rest home.
1) Find a caregiver to come over and take you to do beach?
2) water therapy. physical therapy.
3) a hobby
4) call old friends
Just a few thoughts … I live your advice about a fall device… I will do that. Thanks. Be safe.

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@merpreb

@mguspixi25- Hello. It's nice to meet you. Emotional baggage might be a great topic.

I agree, I don't want to be in an emotional prison either. At first, it's hard to escape this. It's comfortable because you are emotionally with your husband, even if the emotions are horrible.

What was done to you was very unkind. They were taking their disbelief and anger out on you. As you know, with your history, heart attacks can be tough to stop. Their reactions most likely fueled your guilt. Like you needed more help, right?

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Yes I agree.
It took me some years to get over how awful people were, but it’s a pretty common approach here in Au (I’m not native ‘Aussie’ and my cultural approach is very different - one of empathy and understanding for loss).
Mouths which are full of poison must spit it out, hand to stay out of spitting distance is the optimal means of handling them.

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Hi Merry - When mguspixi25 wrote "I volunteer and work from home on the suicide crisis and prevention text and chat service", I thought the service referred to was an unrelated suicide crisis prevention service, separate from Mayo Connect. When my challenges have felt overwhelming in the past, I have telephoned suicide prevention lines. Based on mguspixi25's descriptions of his/her challenges and creative solutions, I thought the only way to connect to him/her without monopolizing the Mayo Connect group was to connect through "chat" to one of those services. I knew the chances of that random connection was slight, but I wanted to acknowledge my appreciation of his/her Mayo post.
My misunderstanding. I appreciate the clarification. I'm a senior who leads a rather isolated life. I hope my explanation makes sense.

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@rca

If you have your wealth, you have your wealth.

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@rca- I'm confused about what you are saying here about wealth. Would you mind explaining more, or was this a typo and you meant health?

Merry

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@notmoff

Hi Merry - When mguspixi25 wrote "I volunteer and work from home on the suicide crisis and prevention text and chat service", I thought the service referred to was an unrelated suicide crisis prevention service, separate from Mayo Connect. When my challenges have felt overwhelming in the past, I have telephoned suicide prevention lines. Based on mguspixi25's descriptions of his/her challenges and creative solutions, I thought the only way to connect to him/her without monopolizing the Mayo Connect group was to connect through "chat" to one of those services. I knew the chances of that random connection was slight, but I wanted to acknowledge my appreciation of his/her Mayo post.
My misunderstanding. I appreciate the clarification. I'm a senior who leads a rather isolated life. I hope my explanation makes sense.

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@notmoff- I misunderstood also. You can PM her/him. Do you know how to do this?

Click on her name, and you will see how to private message. Click on that and tada!

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@rca

Yes, I hired uber or lyft to take me and met someone there who was with a dog too. I also went to the Lake on Sat. with a former employee and he charged me to drive me there. Not the same as being with family or friends who understand YOU. Some of these people don't speak English, can't find you even with navigation. If you didn't have your husband, you'd me struggling too.

Everything sounds simple but it's not at all.

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@rca- Despite having a hard time with directions did yu have a nice time at the beach? I live very near the beach and a river that empties into it. Although the river is brackish it empties into the ocean. Storms have greatly changed the landscape near the ocean from when I was a young girl. There used to be dunes that were fun to climb and hide in. And for a teen, well it was a perfect place to make out in! lol

It's kind of sad to lose all of that but the changes are interesting!

I love the feel of the ocean and the tension, even on a calm day. I love the mist and the feel of the cold on a hot day.

What do you love the most?

Merry

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@bunnybear

Well, we are all harsh on ourselves in many ways. But it is very impressive that you would take a jump into the unknown and take in lodgers of many ages and ethnicities. It shows to me that you haven’t allowed life to narrow as so many do. My best to you!

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Thank you for your kind words.
Take care

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@notmoff

Hi Merry - When mguspixi25 wrote "I volunteer and work from home on the suicide crisis and prevention text and chat service", I thought the service referred to was an unrelated suicide crisis prevention service, separate from Mayo Connect. When my challenges have felt overwhelming in the past, I have telephoned suicide prevention lines. Based on mguspixi25's descriptions of his/her challenges and creative solutions, I thought the only way to connect to him/her without monopolizing the Mayo Connect group was to connect through "chat" to one of those services. I knew the chances of that random connection was slight, but I wanted to acknowledge my appreciation of his/her Mayo post.
My misunderstanding. I appreciate the clarification. I'm a senior who leads a rather isolated life. I hope my explanation makes sense.

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Thank you colleenyoung.

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