How to Live Independently as You Grow Older

Normally old age is an age of dependence. But it can be independent to some extent with little planning. Here is an article on how to make the old aged independent.

We cannot remember how excited we were when we stepped our first steps out on our own. But, we have found that feeling of excitement and joy in the face of our children when they kept their first step out. It is a step forward from dependence to independence.

As we grow older, the body becomes weak if not fragile. We loose our strength and vigor. Just a wrong step while getting down the stairs would result in fracture. As we grow old, we slide back from independence to dependence. Independent living becomes dangerous at old age.

After living independently for many decades, it would be difficult to accept the reality that we need help at the old age. The assistance could be in any manner, help from the children or grand children, or in house nursing, hospitalization etc. If we have to avoid this situation of dependence at the old age, better we prepare ourselves for the future; for that old age.

Here are some suggestions for the preparations:

Bathroom and Bathtub:

A bathtub is one place where old people get hurt frequently. It could be while stepping in or out of the tub. Even while inside the tub, one can get hurt while attempting to stretch the legs etc. In order to avoid such a situation, bath tub with side doors are preferred. Once the door is closed, it becomes watertight and the water in the tub does not escape. Further, such tubs will also have a seat so that there is no chance of slipping in the tub. Many tubs are available with side handles which provides support to the person while getting in or out of the tub or even when he is inside the tub. Whirlpool tubs are also available with these facilities.

Another suggestion would be if the bathroom is in the upper floor, it may be changed to the lower floor. By this, the dangers of claiming the stairs could be avoided. Further, at the old age, claiming of stairs would become difficult.

Another alternative is to have the bedroom and the bathroom on the first floor or on the lower floor. But in any way, walk in bathtubs should be preferred. Having the bedroom with attached bathroom in the lower floor would be preferred because, by this, one can totally avoid claiming of stairs and chances of slipping while claiming the stairs is totally avoided.