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

Staying at home as we age is definitely my goal as well! We are spending time right now planning for aging in place. We are quite capable of living independently now but at our ages 85 and 72, and with my glioblastoma diagnosis we know it’s just a matter of time before we will need to modify our situation.

We have a one level home but it is not handicap accessible. We don’t need it yet but we connected with an aging in place construction company that assessed our home and needs, and designed a plan for the future.

I also wear an Apple Watch that has emergency alert functions.

We are fortunate to have long term care insurance and have reviewed our policy with our agent to understand what benefits we have and the criteria needed to access those benefits.

We have a strong family and friend network that we have and will continue to lean on as we age.

Hello All- I've been thinking about this discussion a lot over the past several days because I am finding that I want to protect myself more. So, I have recently ordered an Auto rescue tool. This will help me provide me with a tool that allows me to cut a seat belt and breaks glass. With all of the floods, I thought that it would be a great idea. Amazon sells them.

There are also great gadgets that are made for people with arthritis and for people who need help being independent. They aren't a fix for everyone and you might need to try a couple to see which one is the best for you.

I've also ordered a Hootie: Hootie Personal Safety Alarm by SlingShop. Although I live in a pretty safe town there are always people who spoil that image. Also, if you are still lucky enough to walk a pet this will help you feel secure.

Is there anyone else who might have ideas to help us?

Merry

"I do, I do!" I forgot, I also have purchased a fire blanket and two small fire extinguishers. One is in my kitchen and one is on a wall in a small hall outside of my bedrooms.

I live in a two story home, but we, my husband and I have set it up so that we live on just the first floor. He is soon to be 88 and I’ll be 87 in January. He has alz., probably mid stage, and I have several diseases..polymyalgia rheumatica, CKD and a few other things. We do amazingly well, but the challenges are ahead of us. My son does live upstairs but we live separately, and independently, and oversees, but only streps forward if he has a concern. Er dtay in our own lanes.

Whoops on the typos.

Get some physiological help please.

My largest problem was my mobility. I was walking with a cane but it was pretty limiting. I had my physical therapist do an assessment because I wS concerned that I might be heading to a wheelchair. He believed that I needed more than a cane, but less than a wheelchair. So I went online and researched rollators which I detest. I looked at everything I could and I found one that is perfect. It had to be lightweight because I have to be able to manage it on my own if I’m left alone, to get it in the car. It had to fold easily. I hD a list of things that I needed. I ordered it from across the pond, and that was a bit unsettling. When it arrived I really liked it but had to overcome my pride of now depending on wheels, so I ventured out one more time with my trusty cane. I live in beautiful Maine. I was attempting to enter a store over a sloped cement walkway when my cane tip got caught and I started to lose my balance. Worst scare ever. My husband reached out to me and just by our actual fingertips we connected and he saved me from a fall that I don’t even want to think about. I began to use my rollator that day. It was about 2 weeks ago and I have regained my life. I’ve been able to access places that I’ve wanted to go to but couldn’t. I can feel my legs getting stronger. I rarely sit now! I’m all over the house. I wish it could do stairs! Ha ha

@lizzier- Good morning- Congratulations on making a difficult situation more tolerable. I'm truly sorry that your life has encountered Alzheimer's. It is very hard on the caretaker.

Most of my living is on the first floor, which made it much easier for me. Our washer and drier are in the basement. Yes, the wash piled up but I couldn't help it.

Thank you for sharing your story. I hope that it might inspire others to try "something different" if it's appropriate.

Merry

I forgot to say that I’m new to this site. A couple of years ago I was on the PMR site and I enjoyed meeting the folks there, but we are trying to “age in place” because we like our home and our independence. So this feels like the place I fit right now. My husband will be relinquishing his drivers lic soon so that will be a new task for me. He still does grocery shopping, gies to his poker game and plays cribbage, so se will set up Uber or look for other transportation and order our groceries. I’ll do some support but I’ll need to find community services

Well done you! A great story which many of us can relate to!
Pride comes before the fall.. ?lol.
Thanks for your wonderfully uplifting story.
Keep on rollin'!