6 Keys To Staying Independent For Life

Retaining independence as we enter our senior years is something most of us take for granted because we can't anticipate how things are going to go. The honest truth is, we do not know what our health has in store for us, nor what the world will be like, nor how our families may shift and change. Fortunately, with some planning and care, we can help boost the odds in our favor. Explore six keys to remain independent for life in the article below.

1. Work On Thinking and Strong Coping Skills

Some forgetfulness is common with age, but there are coping strategies to work around this issue. Reducing the number of items in the home, limiting choices to avoid confusion, setting up bills on autopay, and labeling drawers with their contents may help us to prepare in ways that are proactive. These little systems may be a case of "we'll thank ourselves later" when we're glad to have them. 

Finding workarounds for mild cognitive impairment may allow people to stay in their homes instead of moving to an assisted living facility or nursing home. 

2. Keep Up With Physical Strength

Life requires physical strength, from putting away groceries and cooking to getting out of bed or climbing stairs. People who don’t have enough strength to complete daily tasks may have trouble remaining independent. Carrying smaller loads, making more trips, and using tools to help with standing and walking may help. Strength training exercises may also improve independence, but also, let's be honest, muscle helps support health so preventing muscle wasting should be a top priority as we approach midlife and beyond. Of course, we advise everyone to check with a medical professional first.

3. Stretch for Flexibility and Safe Movement

Strength isn’t the only thing that matters when moving around a home or navigating other areas of life. Flexibility is also vital for safe movement and injury reduction. At-home stretching programs may be a safe and effective way to gently move toward a better range of motion. And that may make dressing, reaching items in cabinets, driving, and other activities easier and safer. 

4. Maintain Good Balance to Reduce Fall Risk

Injuries from falls are all too common. Living independently often means working to reduce fall risk. Even getting out of bed requires balance, as does showering, climbing stairs, standing in the kitchen to cook, and basic household maintenance. 

Working with a medical professional to address balance issues before they become serious may be an important step in the effort to retain independence. Looking into this early can really make all of the difference.

5. Make Time for Aerobic Exercise for Endurance and Heart Health

Even basic life tasks require endurance. If it takes half an hour to prepare dinner, we need to be comfortable standing for that amount of time. Likewise gardening, or yard maintenance, or even basic house cleaning. While we need the ability to bend and stoop and stay balanced, we also need the ability to keep going for the period of time it takes to complete these tasks. And aging often takes a toll on our endurance.

Exercising may help improve cardiovascular health and lead to more endurance. It may also be helpful to look at vitamin and hormone levels to be sure that anemia or other things aren't playing a role if endurance is presenting a challenge. Be sure to get approval from a healthcare provider before starting any new regimen. 

6. Stay Connected to a Social Circle

The truth is, we need each other. We're social animals, and even the most introverted among us need some companionship, even if it's only a little. People who stay connected and have support from others may be able to stay independent longer. Even online interactions and video calls with loved ones can boost spirits and help people feel connected to others around them. These connections may boost mood and renew determination to stay healthier to continue interacting with others. Volunteering in the community and making new acquaintances may also help with long-term independence in later years and the act of getting out to pursue hobbies and meet with others can help boost the other areas, too. 

By focusing on these six areas, we can affect more than just the ability to stay independent. Frequently, people who have tackled these areas feel better and are more healthy and able to pursue their interests. It's all connected. When we work to build endurance we get stronger, and when we make friends, we spend time with them and that physical activity helps us in other ways, too. When people age in place, they may feel happier and even live longer so this is a goal worth pursuing. But it is important to be safe when choosing independence. Consider advance planning, so staying independent in later years may be a more natural part of aging. If you're not past middle age yet, think about how you can set yourself up for success.

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