As children we all had dreams of what we wanted to be or do when we got older; whether it was to reach the age where we could drive the family truck or go out with friends (minus the supervision), get married and start our own family, join the local rescue squad or fire-fighting crew. Regardless of what our dreams were, the point was that we wanted to grow older. Later on in life, though, the growing older isn't nearly as appealing as it was when we were just kids.
For many seniors, growing older brings with it a lot of stress and it isn't something that they look forward to with much relish. However, when considered in the right light and from a different perspective, it can be seen as just another adventure. This is especially true when one is able to prepare in advance for the adventure.
Ageing in place is just another way of saying that a person is able to remain comfortably in their own home whilst their lifestyle changes over the course of time. It is the ability to remain in control of one's circumstances and being able to be mostly independent despite the fact that your body has aching joints and doesn't move quite like it used to back in the day.
Technology is a wonderful tool for seniors when it comes to the question of aging in place. There are so many technological advancements that will vastly improve your life and give you the added confidence and independence that you strive for as you navigate the unknown waters of seniority. Following are five of our recommendations for making aging in place a pleasant adventure.
1. Preparing the Home
Aging in place for some may mean staying in their old family home that has been in their family for generations, or it may mean finding that nifty, cozy little home central to all your favorite shops and restaurants.
Whichever one it is, you need to make sure that you prepare your home beforehand. Making sure that you have the right amount of open space, planning and arranging sleeping quarters at ground level (climbing stairs is an accident waiting to happen), smooth surfaces for easier maneuverability should the need arise for a wheelchair or walking aid.
When it comes to preparing your home, there are a few smart devices that are definitely worth investing in. One of these is Amazon's Alexa app, which works in conjunction with Amazon Echo and will give you the ability to simply voice a command and Alexa will call your emergency contact at the drop of a hat should you need them. Alexa will also play your favorite music, put on that movie you want to watch and answer questions you ask.
In addition to Alexa, it would be most helpful to install Google Nest, which will send you warnings for smoke or fire, as well as carbon monoxide warnings well ahead of time. Lastly, look into having smart lights installed so that you can get Alexa to simply turn the lights on and off as needed or have the lights work automatically via sensor.
Installing these useful gadgets in your home will give you the peace of mind you need so that you can sit back and enjoy life after retirement and age in relative comfort and dignity.
2. Invest In a Smart Medical Alert Device
No matter what your personal feelings are on aging, it's going to happen either way, so it's best to grab the proverbial bull by the horns and make the most of the skirmish. Investing in a smart medical alert watch can help you to keep track of your health and wellness as well as giving you the ability to instantly get in touch with medical support or a loved one should you need them.
It is a practical device that tells the time, counts your steps each day, plans your schedule and alerts you when you need to take medication etc. Added to this, it looks great too and won't look out of place no matter what you're wearing.
3. Subscribe to a Monthly Tech-Support Program
Preparing your home for aging in place is fantastic, but it does mean that you're going to have a bunch of smart devices that may require some technical assistance if something goes wrong or they don't work quite the way they need to.
In the event that your devices go on the blink or decide to strike for the day, having a tech-support guru on hand to sort out the problems and dispel the tech-gremlins from your devices will be most advantageous.
By subscribing to a monthly tech-support program you will have the necessary help whenever you need it. Having a monthly subscription may include 24/7 tech-support, antivirus protection, an active learning center and much more.
Added to this you will also be able to receive newsletters or information which can act as an early warning system for problems relating to any number of devices or systems around the world which could have an impact on your in-home devices.
For instance, you might receive an alert about a new virus that is being sent via email, or a new scam targeting seniors or malware designed to take over your computer. Whatever the case may be, if you are part of a monthly tech-support program you will have access to all the help you need to be able to deal with these warnings before it becomes a real disaster.
4. Get Up to Speed With Aging In Place
You might not want to accept the fact that you're getting older (few people do) but at some point you're going to have to make peace with it and when you do, it's best to equip yourself with all the helpful information to ensure that you are able to age in place with alacrity.
We've written a few articles about the subject, one of which is all about understanding the ageing in place revolution. That being said, there are many more helpful sources out there that will provide useful and insightful information.
No matter what we face in life, it is always easier to do so when we know and understand what it is we are facing. Nobody likes to battle unseen dragons, and aging can sometimes seem like a dragon to many who aren't yet ready to embrace the creaking knees or decreased energy.
5. Look After Your Health
Good health is important no matter your age, but it is especially crucial as you reach seniority. Bones need extra calcium; bodies need more water and exercise ... and don't forget the right amount of quality sleep.
All of these can be quite hard to get right and balanced but fear not, there is a smart device (no, it's no joke -- we are quite serious) to help with that too. Like we said earlier, technology can be pretty awesome, especially when we're older. That's not to say it isn't challenging, too, but there are many benefits to having technology around.
In lieu of the fact that most seniors don't want to feel like they're a burden to their loved ones, having smart devices and technology around can be beneficial in the extreme.
Having a HidrateSpark water bottle will ensure that you stay properly hydrated and don't join the percentage of those who are clinically dehydrated. It lights up when it is time for you to take a drink and you are able to track it with an app on your phone so that you can keep track of how much you drink.
It might look like a simple water bottle but it serves to improve your health one sip at a time. You can also enrich the water with additional electrolytes or vitamins and minerals for an extra immune boost.
Add to proper hydration the ability to get a good night's sleep with the help of Amerisleep Adjustable Bed and you're well on your way to being able to appear in the kitchen in the morning bright eyed and ready to take on the day.
Start the day with a healthy breakfast and some morning exercises and you're guaranteed to feel far more equipped to handle whatever life throws at you.
To Each Their Own ...
Every person is unique in their own way and some might feel that all these technical devices may be just a tad too much to handle. Others still may decide they could use even more than just the few we mentioned above, but whatever the case may be, aging in place is something that is dependent on what you consider independence and home.
Each person decides for themselves what their definition of aging in place is, the thing is to go out and embrace it once you decide what it is that you're looking for.
Whether it is getting your groceries delivered to your door or having a smart doorbell that lets you see your visitors from your smart-phone so you don't have to walk to the door, it is all about what makes you feel comfortable, safe and secure.
As always, if you're needing any kind of additional help navigating the aging-in-place movement, consider reaching out to HelpCloud technicians for remote support.
