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.

bjk3 | @bjk3 | 4 days ago

In reply to @hicopd "You can search small space standing stair lift for more info. Sorry, I can’t post but..." + (show)

Good info and best of all it has earned the Better Business Bureau seal of approval (scroll all the way to the end to see). That seal is always what gives me the confidence to trust what it has approved. Thank you!

gravity3 | @gravity3 | 4 days ago

In reply to @ls4mu "Please describe these "platforms". Where do you purchase them?" + (show)

I wonder if you are talking about stair climbers?

hicopd | @hicopd | 4 days ago

Stair climbers are another tool. There are a range of options, depending on the person(s) involved, skill level, space and finances available.

It’s good to ask around and find out from others who may have had these types of situations in your area. They may be able to point you to folks who can help provide the best solutions for your needs. I have found realtors and hospital discharge planners and rehab specialists can have a wealth of info, especially about local availability.

cianna | @cianna | 4 days ago

In reply to @ireland123 "Hi, your husband sounds like mine, I would love to move where there are no stairs..." + (show)

We have a two story house and my husband also didn't want to move. I ended up putting a stair lift for him to get upstairs in. I also added a shower chair in one of the bathrooms so he doesn't fall in the shower.

edsutton | @edsutton | 3 days ago

Practice Imaginative ProActivity!

Go through your house and your daily routines imagining that
1) You are having dizzy spells.
2) You are in a wheelchair or walker (borrow them to test)
3) You can't reach higher than your shoulder or lower than your mid-thigh
4) You can't lift heavy things (like a large iron skillet) or your hands are weak
5) You have trouble with complex sequences
6) Your vision is fuzzy

What can you do about this?

If you want to age in your house, Now is the time to start preparing your house and now is the time to coordinate with your house mate.

Examples:
Make a walk in shower with chair now. There won't be time to do it when you've had surgery and need that shower chair to bathe.
Make sure you have grab bars and solid furniture along the route from bed to bathroom and toilet. Vertigo can come as a sudden surprise at 3am.
Make it a habit to not gather unnecessary things, and weed out clutter often.

Planning to care for ourselves as long as possible can be an enjoyable project.
It is self-empowering.
Start doing it now and you'll enjoy the feeling of lightness!

sillyblone | @sillyblone | 3 days ago

Well said. I think this way about everything in life. Mistakes or not doing safe things for yourself or spouse will or could injure you or cause your demise. A thought occurred to me. For the ones of us living alone. Please keep in touch with family or friend . Always have a plan. It may not come or even help. It is better to be safe and living as well as can be expected. Hugs to all.