Living Independently in Your Later Years

• Introduction
• Staying healthy and independent
  • Steps to a longer, healthier life
  • Hope to become a centenarian?
  • Handling six health problems that compromise independence
  • The role of diet and exercise
• Strengthening your social network
  • Expanding social ties
• A plan for independent living
  • Financial planning
  • Legal planning
  • Emergency planning
  • Tips for those who live alone
• Getting around
  • How to improve your mobility
  • Devices that can help
• Driving safety
  • Ways to improve your driving
  • What to do when a loved one asks you to stop driving
  • Getting around without a car
• Managing your medications
• Staying in your own home
  • Making modifications
  • Certified aging-in-place specialists for remodeling
  • Paying for home modifications
• Getting help at home
  • Evaluating your needs
  • When you need a caregiver
• When you can’t stay at home
  • Choosing the right place
• Glossary
• Resources
• Emergency planning form

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.