Living Independently in Your Later Years

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• Table of Contents
• An excerpt from this report

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Americans are living longer than ever before. For many, those extra years prove satisfying and productive. But for others they mean a greater span of time spent disabled by chronic health problems or dependent on others. Thankfully, there is a lot you can do to shape your future. This report offers advice on what you can do to preserve your independence and protect your health.

It includes information that can help you remain in your home for many years to come, including what modifications you should consider making in your home, how to tap into local services, and how to find and work with a caregiver. It also offers advice on sharpening your driving skills, managing your medications, and using assistive devices, such as canes, walkers, lifts, and hoists. You'll also learn what you can do to avoid six health problems that can steal your independence and what financial, legal, and emergency planning you should do.

Prepared by the editors of the Harvard Health Letter in with Anne Fabiny, M.D, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Director of Geriatrics Education at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. 50 pages. (updated: 2005)

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Here's an Excerpt from this Aging Process Special Health Report

Time alone doesn’t slow people down. Generally, a combination of factors comes into play. Chronic illness creates major obstacles for many people. Diabetes can cause a complication called neuropathy that makes walking painful and difficult. Heart or lung ailments can leave you short of breath after even minor exertion. Fear of falling and fractures can hamper your speed and willingness to move about. Vision problems can do the same. And getting little exercise, for whatever reason, will weaken muscles, impairing balance and endurance.

Of course, you can’t turn the clock back. But the following changes may make a real difference in your ability to get around.

• Choose a good exercise program. Strength training and exercises that improve balance can make a real difference. If you find walking or light exercise difficult for any reason, speak with your doctor or a physical therapist before embarking on an exercise program.
• Improve your eyesight. Have your vision checked. Also, speak with an eye specialist about whether a change in prescription, medication, or surgery could help.
• Choose the right footwear. Shoes with flat soles that grip make walking safer and easier.
• Free your hands. A fanny pack or a light bag slung diagonally across your shoulder is a good spot to stow keys, money, and a cell phone.
• Safety-proof your home. Dim lighting, sagging stairs, clutter, and loose extension cords present serious hazards.
• Consider assistive devices. If getting around is difficult, discuss with your doctor or a physical or occupational therapist whether assistive devices, such as those described later in this report, might help.

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