How To Live Independently At Home For Longer
Minimise the risk of falls
We have spoken before about top tips for fall proofing your home and this really can have a significant impact as falls will often be a key contributor to needing more round the clock care as they can have serious implications for the elderly depending on the severity. Falls are also a major cause for hospital admissions for older people.
Have a personal alarm
Personal alarms are important for keeping the elderly in contact with the outside world so should anything happen whilst they are in their own homes, they’re able to quickly communicate with someone to get help. The time saved by someone coming quickly could be the difference between injury and serious injury, or in the context of this article, the difference between a short period of recovery, perhaps some respite care and then back to living independently, and needing round the clock care.
Regular visits and good family members/neighbours
Loneliness in old age can be very difficult for those living alone, and often prevent someone from happily living independently in their own home. Regular visits from our team of carers can certainly help with this, but usually a wider network of support is important to keeping someone elderly living at home for longer.
Living nearby to family can often help with this, and family members who drop in every day or a couple of times a week can help enormously, but having friendly neighbours can have a similar impact.
Think about access (e.g. a stairlift)
When it comes to living independently, not much will necessitate a move to more round the clock care than not being able to get round the house by yourself. That’s why access is so important – this could mean the installation of a stairlift or perhaps moving to a bungalow or accommodation where going up stairs is not a necessity. However you choose to improve access, this is essential in helping someone stay living independently at home for longer.
If you need any further information about setting up a loved ones home to keep them living independently there for longer then please don’t hesitate to call us on 01892 863 710 and our friendly team would be more than happy to advise.
Other articles you may like
- Rainy day activities: bringing the fun indoors!
2026 has got off to quite a rainy start! It’s been reported for being particularly wet and gloomy, and there’s a long history behind the UK’s (rainy) weather. Sometimes, when it rains this hard, we have a ‘lazy day’. We choose to stay inside, have more lie ins, and wrap up under a blanket. This can be a great way to recharge your batteries and get some much-needed rest. But what if it’s always raining? Long stretches of wet weather can cause low mood, reduced motivation, and a sense of isolation, especially when social gatherings start to get cancelled. To combat this, here’s some rainy-day activities designed to lift the mood and help make our days more fun: - Music for dementia care
Music is universally loved, and for good reason. It brings people together across cultures, languages, generations, and identities. For those with dementia, music can be particularly important. Music for dementia care offers support and an alternative form of communication. It can redirect moods, help set a routine, and evoke familiar memories. But why is it that music is so beneficial? And how can it help us connect with our loved ones? - Finding community at Christmas
As we’re wrapping up 2025, we’re getting ready for all the incoming festivities. A big turkey, carol singing, and strolling through the markets are just some of the ways we’ve been enjoying the season. - Helping loved ones celebrate autumn
Christmas may be creeping up on us, but we’re not done celebrating autumn yet! It’s truly such a special season, filled with cosy nights and feel-good food. We want to make sure our clients are able to make the most of what this season has to offer. There are so many indoor and outdoor activities to help get in the spirit, and we’re here to help you get involved. Whether it’s a walk or an activity, we can support you however works best! - World Mental Health Day: how can we support our loved ones?
There is no health without mental health. It’s something that impacts every day of our lives in how we think, feel, and act. And yet for years, it’s been placed under a stigma, and awareness of mental health has continually been scrutinised. - How can we help older people learn new technology?
Community-building can be changing. What once used to be a face-to-face connection is now expanding to more online settings; think FaceTime, virtual events, and Facebook groups. And with more than one in three people over 65 lacking the skills needed to use the internet, there’s a real danger that our older loved ones may be missing out on opportunities to connect with the world around them. Helping relatives learn new technology is not just a helpful thing to do, but is so important in combatting social isolation, and reducing loneliness. - Creating a dementia friendly home
Dementia can be scary, both for the person with a diagnosis, and for anyone affected by that diagnosis. It can be caused by a variety of diseases and injuries that affect the brain, bringing memory loss, cognitive decline, and a loss of identity. - Good Care Month: Why carers are essential to the community
Good Care Month: Why carers are essential to the community July is officially Good Care Month, which means it’s a time to celebrateContinue reading “Good Care Month: Why carers are essential to the community “ - Protecting adults at risk: a closed culture is a poor culture.
Protecting adults at risk: a closed culture is a poor culture. When it comes to protecting adults at risk, it is essential toContinue reading “Protecting adults at risk: a closed culture is a poor culture. “
