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A GUIDE TO INDEPENDENT LIVING
The value of the simple things in life
What are some of the everyday things people do that help them lead happy, independent lives? They are simple, but they are important.
Here's a list of common ones --
- Socializing with friends and family
Shopping and running errands
Doing household chores
Hobbies and other leisure activities
Church activities
Volunteer work/Helping others
Work
What would you add to the list?
The activities of daily living
There are certain things people need to be able to do to remain independent and stay in their own homes. These are sometimes called the activities of daily living.
They include --
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Using the toilet
- Feeding oneself
- Walking
And others such as --
- Getting around the community
- Shopping
- Doing light housework
- Preparing meals
- Handling money properly
- Using the telephone
These activities of daily living are things we often take for granted -- until we have trouble with them for some reason. Then it can get harder to do the everyday things that help us lead happy, independent lives.
Other factors that can affect everyday life
There are other factors that can affect a person's ability to stay independent at home
- Vision
- The ability to understand other people and have them understand you
- Eating right. Getting enough of the right foods.
- Bladder problems
Feeling sad or depressed too often
Loss of memory. Feeling confused.
Understanding medications and using them properly
It's important to ask for help if you need it
Sometimes getting just a little help can make a big difference. If you have trouble with any of the activities of daily living or with any other factors listed, you need to tell someone about it.
- Ask for help
- Talk to friends and family
- Talk to your doctor
- Get in touch with someone from your church
- Find out about social services and health services in your community
The important thing is to talk to someone. And don't give up. Get the help you need. Don't think because something seems like such a simple thing that no one will care or that it is not important. It is important -- because you are important.
Some simple tips
Staying healthy is the best way to stay on your own at home. And, once again, getting a little help once in a while can make a big difference in your life. Here are some simple tips to help you avoid injury, illness, and disease.
- Have your blood pressure checked regularly. High blood pressure can lead to heart problems, the number one health danger in the United States.
- Have your cholesterol checked regularly. High cholesterol can also cause heart problems.
- Don't smoke. Smoking causes a great number of health problems.
- Make sure you eat right and eat regular meals. Eat a balanced, low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. Your doctor or other health care professionals can help you develop a good diet. Not eating regular meals and good foods causes serious health problems.
- Be as active as you safely can. Staying active is good for your health and good for your attitude.
- Avoid falling. Falls often cause injuries that lead to long-term loss of independence. Things that often cause people to fall and get hurt:
- Clutter. Things lying around the floor.
- Slippery bathtubs and showers without mats or handrails.
- Steps in bad repair or without railings.
- Poor lighting. Older people need twice the amount of lighting as a 30-year-old person.
- Poor vision.
- Wearing bedroom slippers instead of shoes
- Understand the medications you take and use them properly. Make sure you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about the possible side effects of any medicine you take. Make sure your doctor and your pharmacist know about all the medications you take -- including over-the-counter drugs. Take your medications only as directed, at the right time, and in just the right doses. If you have any worries or problems, call your doctor.
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