Baby Boomers U. S. (The Blog)

Tips for Staying Independent in the Years Between Retirement and the Retirement Home

Posted: 13 Jan 2013 03:06 AM PST

This is a Guest Post by Neil Wyman. If you would like to Guest Post for Baby Boomers US, check out our Guest Post for Us page.

Moving into a retirement home is a big leap after retiring from the workforce. There’s a lot of life left to live before taking up residence in a nursing home with a menu heavily peppered with pureed offerings. Plenty of accommodations can be made to keep seniors safe and comfortable in the interim years.

Start Simplifying

Don’t abandon your home as if it is a burning building (though if it is on fire, please evacuate calmly and call 911) simply because you anticipate having different needs in the future. Start by clearing out clutter that’s built up over the years. Sell, donate or gift knick-knacks or furniture you don’t need or use. Get rid of anything poorly constructed and repair anything you plan on keeping. Be sure handrails are functional rather than decorative.

Minor Modifications

As mobility decreases, it’s very possible to continue to enjoy your home. Simple modifications like adding grab bars in the bathroom will reduce risk and increase confidence. Skip the hardware store and don’t try to create your own safety accessories. Medical supply stores like Mountainside Medical Supplies have a wide variety of tested and proven products to increase safety while maintaining independence. If you’re to the point of considering major renovations you may want to consider moving into a smaller home.

Practical Preparations

The old adage “an ounce of preparation is worth a pound of cure” is a time-honored classic. Compile a list of trusted service providers so you’ll have someone to call if a pipe breaks in the middle of the night. Clean out and restock your first aid kit. If you don’t have a first aid kit, this is an ideal time to get one and put it somewhere easily accessible.

If you have any serious or chronic health conditions get a medic alert bracelet. Make a living will and decide what you want done in the event of a major health crisis. It may sound morbid, but you and your loved ones deserve to make important decisions without the emotion and stress of illness looming over you.

Accept Assistance

Don’t feel pressured to maintain a perfect household. If you need help with deep cleaning, ask trusted family members or hire a service to help you. A neighborhood kid can probably help with mowing the lawn or picking weeds. If the myriad medications you’re prescribed are confusing, find a system to organize them. It’s much easier to sort pills out once a week into a “day of the week” container than to agonize over whether you took everything at the right time today.

If the need arises, hire a home health nurse and don’t be afraid to move into an assisted living complex if maintaining a household is causing you stress instead of bringing you enjoyment. The retirement years should be a time where you can relax and enjoy life one day at a time!

About the Author: Now that he’s retired, Neil loves volunteering at his local library and teaching computer workshops for other seniors. He keeps up a weekly blog that features new cool tech gadgets and apps.

© Baby Boomers US Blog If you are reading this anywhere other than our RSS Feed Please notify us at blog.boomersus@gmail.com
You may also want to join the Baby Boomers US Forum for conversations by Baby Boomers about topics important to Baby Boomers!