Do you want to stay in your house as you age? If you love your home and want to stay there for the next 20 years, then you might need to ask for help over the next few years.
You may also have a parent, aunt, or older loved one who’s doing just that, but you know that they can’t do everything on their own like they’re used to.
If we want to feel and live at our very best, then we need to take care of ourselves. That can mean asking for help in the things that are weighing us down – whether in our own homes or in the homes of the loved ones we care for.
Let’s discover a few ways that you or your loved one can stay in your homes longer, without being overwhelmed.
Services to Stay Independent
It’s normal to need some kind of help and assistance as we age. Make living in your own home easier by getting some help with a few things around your home.
Outdoor Maintenance: Don’t love to mow or find keeping up in your garden just isn’t the way you want to expend your energy? Find a local landscaping company that can take care of it for you. Having someone mow can save you a ton of time each week but can also mean you don’t have to worry about pushing around a mower, working in high temperatures, or even buying new equipment.
Grocery Delivery: Thanks to services like Instacart, you can get healthy groceries delivered to your door. This is perfect for an older relative who can’t drive or just to save yourself some time (and germ exposure). You can also look at options like Hello Fresh which delivers ready-to-cook meals and ingredients, or Factor which prepares healthy meals you just need to reheat.
Transportation: Need to get around? Utilize your local public transportation system. Many cities offer discounts for older adults. If you don’t have a good bus system, there may be local organizations that offer help or you can use ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft.
Home Updates: As you live in your home longer, there may be a few modifications that you’ll need to make. Explore hiring a local handyman to help with regular home maintenance and even installing some accessible solutions like shower or stair rails.
Friend Groups: This one sounds a bit strange, but hear me out. When you have a great social circle, you’ll have many people who can help you when you need it. You can meet new friends through activities you love, at the gym, your local church, community activities, or through apps like MeetUp. Staying socially active and connected to our community is a great way to improve your self-care and make it easier to stay in your home longer.
Health Care: Of course, there are healthcare providers that specialize in at-home care. Depending on your personal needs and insurance, home healthcare can be exactly what you need to stay as independent as possible. And if you’re caring for a loved one, this can be a huge help to alleviate some stress.
Take Care of Yourself All-Around
The key to living our best lives? Taking care of ourselves!
What that is can look different for each one of us, but it often comes down to some basic ideas of self-care.
If you want to improve your self-care and aren’t sure where to start, then you can download the free Self-Care Wheel from Olga Phoenix. Not only will it help you see where to start, it might just give you some ideas of where to ask for help so you can feel your very best!
