Retaining our independence as we grow older is something we should all take seriously, it doesn’t just happen, it is something we should actively consider and plan for if possible. Here are a few tips on ways that we can make sure that we not only retain our independence as we grow older, but also have fun doing so!
Financially Plan Ahead
We’re all pretty independent financially whilst we are of working age, it’s much easier to manage employment and income to suit our needs, once we retire we need another source of income. This traditionally has been a pension. The state provides a pension, but it is worth checking the status of your own National Insurance payments. You need a certain number of years of National Insurance contributions to qualify for a full state pension. Missing years can sometimes be repaid. This is a simple procedure and advice and help can be sought from The Pensions Advisory Service. Knowing your state pension is on track is a great first step. Other things to look at are private pension providers as well as other savings schemes like ISA’s. Alternative investments can be taken and used as a pension investment vehicle, but independent financial advice should always be sought first before committing to anything.
Make Your Home Work For You As You Age
Keeping the lifestyle you love going as you age is much easier now than it was for previous generations. Technology is being applied to all areas of life. One area that is benefiting from this technology is our homes. Video doorbells that give us the opportunity to see whos at the door from where ever we are is useful for all ages. It can be especially useful for older people. Though many of us are impressed at how the technology lets us see our Amazon delivery, even though we may be many miles from home, elderly people can benefit from not having to disturb their activities to physically answer the door.
One thing that concerns many people as they age is mobility, especially within their own homes. We love our homes and moving house to somewhere else because of mobility issues is something most people strongly want to avoid. Fortunately, technology has not passed this issue by. Equipment is available to radically improve the accessibility of your home so moving house does not need to be an additional headache and financial burden. Right at the top of the list for most people who think they are likely to face mobility issues in their home as they age is the stairs. Most of us like to sleep upstairs. It feels natural and is common practice in this country. So taking away the mobility barrier posed by the staircase in your home is rightly a top priority. Stairlifts are simply a gamechanger when it comes to mobility in your own home. Taking away the single worst instance of an obstacle to mobility within your home as you age. It is certainly worth planning ahead and taking the time to install stairlifts before they are needed in earnest. Avoiding the risks of a fall on your stairs that leads to injury and a loss of mobility is something that we should all take seriously as we grow older. Once we know we can easily get up and down the stairs in our homes, mobility adaptions in the rest of our homes are often easier to have installed at shorter notice on an ‘as and when’ needed basis. Often when retaining our independence as we grow older is applied to our homes, it can lead not only to improvements in how your home works for you in the future, but also the benefits will be felt straight away in ease of use and comfort.
Keep Socialising
Keeping up your friendships and social circles as we age is easier than ever. The internet and social media give us access to great ways of communicating with our friends and making new ones. Many people in the area you live will also be of similar age and facing similar situations. Often there will be local clubs or groups you can join to keep up your social circle. Look at what regular events or meetups are on offer and find ones that suit your interests.
Do you have any tips on retaining our independence as we grow older? We would love to hear them in the comments below.
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