How Cleveland Seniors Can Live Independently at Home
Prioritizing Seniors’ Safety, Health, and Well-Being
According to a 2020 report by the Association for Community Living, of the total number of older adults ages 65 and older living in the community, 27 percent live alone without a spouse or companion. Many Cleveland seniors prefer to live independently in their own homes—they want to be in a comfortable and familiar environment as they age. This can be a viable option for seniors and their families as long as the senior’s health and well-being is continually prioritized. We have some tips for seniors living at home independently.
Stay in good health. Make sure you continue to eat right, get some physical activity every day, and promote your overall mental health and well-being. This means finding opportunities to socialize and engage with others to avoid feelings of isolation and loneliness. If your physical, mental, or emotional health suffers, living at home alone may no longer be the best option for you.
Maintain a social circle. If you don’t know your neighbors, make an effort to introduce yourself and have a casual conversation with those living nearby. In the case of an emergency, you may need to call on neighbors for help, and this is easier when they know who you are and have some understanding of your current living situation. Make an effort to stay in touch with friends and family, whether that is regular phone calls or in-person visits.
Consider installing an alarm system. To give you—and your family members—peace of mind, consider having an alarm installed in your home. This will alert the police immediately if there are signs of a break-in. Other options are to install motion-sensor lighting around your home to act as a deterrent to potential intruders.
Make your home fall-proof. As seniors age, they are at a greater risk of falling. Be proactive in preventing future falls. Install grab bars and handrails in key places like bathrooms, and eliminate clutter or piles of items on the floor or around staircases.
Keep up on home repairs. You need your home to be a safe and well-kept environment. If home repairs are left undone, the condition of your home can quickly deteriorate. Call on family members or neighbors to help with small repairs or chores as needed. If their assistance is not available, consider hiring a local professional to perform essential repairs. Also make sure that smoke detectors are installed throughout your home with working batteries.
Consider home modifications. You may need to make certain modifications as you age in order to continue living in your home. This may include a zero-threshold concept shower—a shower that is flush with the bathroom floor and has no sill to step over, making it easy to roll in a wheelchair. Other modifications might include a chair lift. Keep in mind that, when you are enrolled in a program like PACE, your service coordinator will stay attuned to your changing needs and recommend home modifications as needed—they will also manage the process of getting them installed and cover the costs.
If you want to continue to age in place in your home within the Cleveland community, please reach out to McGregor PACE. Our program is designed to help seniors, like you, age in place safely. We can determine your eligibility for the PACE program, available to seniors living independently in Cuyahoga County who meet certain qualifications.