Losing independence in age is a common worry for many people. Most people don’t want to have to move from their home, and dated ideas about “old folks’ homes” create misconceptions that moving into a retirement community means losing one’s independence.
Contrary to this old stereotype, seniors’ residences do not cause loss of autonomy. In fact, the first tier of senior communities is called “independent living” for a good reason. They actually help residents remain independent for longer and free them from household chores. The best places have a good roster of activities, great meals, helpful services, and ample social opportunities, which also helps residents maintain physical and mental health for a longer period of time.
These proven strategies are used to enhance overall wellness in retirement communities, but you can use them in your own life too. Read on for our tips for maintaining your independence as a senior.
Stay Socially Connected
We are social by nature and there is no reason for that to stop simply because we are getting older. It is easy to suffer from depression and other conditions when deprived of social contact.
Remaining socially connected provides you with a higher quality of life, but it goes much further than that. Maintaining a social lifestyle can provide seniors with several health benefits, potentially reducing the risk of dementia and even physical ailments like high blood pressure and cardiovascular issues.
This is one of the reasons that independent living facilities are extremely helpful—you will be able to meet and socialize with a wide range of people with readily available physical and social activities. Often, social isolation can be the result of difficulty in getting around or limited transport options, but living in a retirement community provides ample opportunity for social interaction.
Stay Mentally Stimulated
Like social activity, mental stimulation is a critical part of maintaining independence as a senior. Mental decline is occasionally thought of as an inevitable part of growing older, but those who continue to participate in mentally stimulating activities are less likely to experience conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.
When there is not enough mental stimulation, there is a risk of decline in cognitive skills such as awareness, perception, memory, and reasoning ability. Even simple tasks can provide enough stimulation to ward off this sort of decline. This can include learning something new, such as a new language, or learning to play an instrument. Even puzzles and games can provide the stimulation your mind needs to remain healthy. Combining games with social activity lets you address both mental and social needs at once.
It is probably clear now that these suggestions seem geared toward mental and emotional health, as well as staving off dementia and other issues. These are key concerns for many as they age, but these activities often have something of a physical component, and that is something to address as well.
Stay Physically Active
The benefits of remaining physically active are very well documented. Even moderate physical activity can have a significant effect on your ability to remain independent and helps reduce the risk of common diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Staying active and engaging in light exercise such as walking can improve the overall efficiency of your immune system.
Other benefits of maintaining your physical activity include decreasing the risk of falls by improving balance and coordination, and even boosting cognitive function while lowering the risk of dementia. Social activities are made easier by maintaining physical ability, which is another way in which your physical ability can impact your mental health.
By addressing your physical, mental, and social needs, you can dramatically improve your enjoyment of life and greatly improve your chances of remaining fully independent for years to come.
Seek Assistance When Needed
There will, of course, be times when you might need assistance and that is perfectly normal. Whatever age you might be, there are bound to be some things that you cannot do without a bit of help, so it’s important to recognize when those moments arise so that you can seek the assistance that you need.
An occasional request for assistance is not the same as losing your independence. Everyone needs help now and then and asking for it actually helps you maintain your independence, particularly when it comes to matters of health. By addressing your needs, you ensure that you remain healthy and this in turn lets you continue to be independent.
Assistance also needn’t refer to things you cannot do. Sometimes you want assistance with routine chores that you wish to avoid so that you can focus on other matters of greater concern.
Conclusion
Independence as a senior is very achievable. By maintaining your mental, physical, and emotional health, you help ensure that you will continue to live life on your terms, enjoying every moment. Living in a retirement community helps you to focus on these things by providing you assistance when you need it, as well as a community that fosters social connection, mental stimulation, and remaining active.
In fact, you may just find that moving to a retirement community provides you the opportunity to enjoy daily life as you rarely have before.
