In this pandemic era, the older generation may be motivated to
avoid moving to a retirement facility, where COVID-19 risks can be high. But how can you tell if you're healthy enough
to do that?
"Sometimes people don't recognize the signs. They often will say everything is okay, when
it turns out that bills have been piling up, the home is a mess, and there is
no food in the fridge. So the
conversation often needs to be corroborated with someone else," says Dr.
Suzanne Salamon, medical editor of the Harvard Special Health Report “Aging in
Place”.
Everyone should consider the following health-related requirements
for living independently. Think of all the potential weaknesses then, if you
are still worried, maybe talk to family members and your doctor about solutions.
Sharp Thinking Skills
It's normal to forget things from time to time. I am finding that I do that a lot. But if you're having a little trouble
thinking, difficulty managing medications, paying bills, choosing clothes for
the day, selecting and buying groceries, turning off stoves and taps,
recognizing when food has spoiled, or that it's time to clean the house, doing
paperwork, making decisions, and you think it's worse than a year or two ago,
you should discuss it with your doctor.
Solutions: It is
possible you have a mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and the doctor can refer
the person to a Neuro-Psychologist. But
having MCI doesn't mean you can't live at home. It does mean you'll need coping strategies. Strategies include cutting down on the
clothes in your wardrobe and the tools in your kitchen to limit choices, using
schedules and lists, and getting phones that are easier to use. Maybe you can label drawers and cabinets to
help you remember what's inside. If you
use online banking, set your bills on autopay.
Strength
Living independently requires you to lift groceries; cook (put a saucepan
on the stove or a bowl into a microwave); get out of bed or off a chair or
toilet; and perhaps climb stairs. Are
you strong enough to do those things? Can
you pull open various doors (to the microwave, the washing machine, or your car
if you're still driving)? Can you carry hang
out the washing or take out the rubbish bins?
Solutions: If weakness is affecting your activities,
maybe ask to work with a physical therapist or trainer who'll develop a
strength-training program tailored to your needs. "It's best not to try strength training
on your own. You can injure your muscles
and bones if you don't do the exercises properly. Once you learn the strength-training routine,
continue training at home at least twice per week. If you can't get as strong as you'd like, find
out if you can have a caregiver or an aide come into your home or have meals
delivered. Maybe carry smaller shopping loads
(but make more trips). Get a tool to
make it easier to exit a chair, such as a "couch cane" that provides
a handle you can grab as you stand.
Flexibility
Arthritis and inactivity reduce flexibility. But you need flexibility in your hands,
wrists, elbows, and shoulders to dress, brush your teeth, wash, and reach up to
a cabinet or out to a door. It takes a
flexible neck to look behind you if you drive, and flexible hips, ankles, and
knees to walk and get up and down from a chair. Are you finding it harder to do
those activities?
Solutions: If you're just starting to experience muscle
tightness, start a gentle stretching program at home. Stretch after your daily walk or after you've
marched on the spot for a few minutes to get blood flowing to your muscles and
make them more pliable. Find stretching
workouts for older adults online. For
very tight muscles, ask to work with a physical therapist or trainer to begin a
stretching program. Maybe, if you
normally reach up to grab drinking glasses or dishes, relocate them to lower
cabinets. Use tools when dressing (like
long-handled hooks to put on socks).
Balance
Simply getting out of bed or standing up from a chair requires good
balance; as does walking across a room, showering, managing stairs, and
standing as you prepare a meal. Poor balance
increases your risk for falls, which could land you in a hospital or cause
permanent injury. One way to detect
balance problems is to notice if you're stumbling more or if you're holding on
to furniture to walk through your house.
Solutions: Talk to your doctor if you suspect imbalance. It could be due to aging, or it might be the
result of an inner ear problem, low blood pressure, or neurological disease. Treating underlying conditions can help
resolve some balance issues. Can you work
with a physical trainer to come up with an individualized program of balance
exercise?. Maybe find a way to install
grab bars in your home, especially in the bathroom (where it's slippery and
falls often occur). Remove to avoid hazards, such as floor clutter and mats.
Endurance
Are you easily winded? This
could be a problem for independent living, especially if you have a large home.
It takes endurance (in addition to
strength and balance) to climb stairs, walk from one room to another, and do
household chores.
Solutions: A lack of endurance could signal an
underlying condition that needs to be treated, such as a heart or lung problem.
But it also could also be that you're
just out of shape. With your doctor's
agreement, start getting more aerobic exercise, the kind that gets your heart
and lungs pumping. Your ultimate goal should
be 150 minutes of aerobic activity per week, but it's okay to start with just a
few minutes per day; and it's okay to exercise a little bit throughout the day.
Social Connection
Social isolation hurts health.
Research shows that people with a small community of friends and family.
or none at all, are much more likely to develop serious illness and have short
life expectancies. Do you have friends
and family nearby? Do you know your
neighbours? Do you have caregivers
coming into your home on a regular basis or other community members you get to
talk to regularly?
Solutions: It's tough to enlarge your social circle
during a pandemic. If you don't know how
to make a video call, it's time to learn. Ask someone for help, or search for how-to
videos online. Consider a physically
distanced visit with a friend (keep your masks on). And remember that when this pandemic is over,
a good way to meet people will be to join a club or religious organization,
volunteer, or go to a gym.
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