And finally...
76. Put all of your important documents in one place in your home (like a fireproof safe) and let your most responsible friend or relative now where this is. Note, don't put your will or original copies of other important documents in a safe deposit box.
77. Get a bidet! For people with mobility issues (and everyone else!), a bidet can be a great way to tidy up after using the toilet.
78. There are a lot of other tools specifically for the elderly or those with mobility issues too (like grabbers, long handled shoe horns, back scratchers, step stools to reach high cabinets, etc).
79. There are also ways to design and organize a kitchen for people who want to age in place (these updates focus on safety and ease-of-use appliances in the kitchen).
80. If you are caring for an elderly person from afar (or want your kids to be able to find you if needed), consider installing a remote-access camera system in your home as well as use an Apple/Google watch/phone with the "find my android" or "find my iphone" app installed (make sure you/they can access these apps remotely from your/their phone or computer).
81. If the worst happens, here is a useful checklist for what to do when someone dies.
82. Seek solace from others who have gone through what you are going through (such as this, this, this or in-person support groups).
83. Exercise your brain regularly to stave off cognitive decline by doing puzzles, word games, card games, etc. A lot of our friends meet up at least weekly to play mahjong, rumikube, or poker which is great for their brains as well as for socialization.
84. Keep a positive attitude--this is said to improve ageing.
85. Keep up with regular medical care (skin cancer screenings, vaccines, blood work, etc).
86. Keep up with regular dental care (regular dental cleanings and x rays to keep your teeth in good condition, denture realignment if needed, etc).
87. Have a long-term care plan. This may or may not be necessary but when you need it, this sort of care can be ridiculously expensive. It pays to plan ahead for such a possibility.
88. Join clubs that are only open to seniors (examples here, here, and here).
89. Get rid of bad habits (smoking, alcoholism, etc). Obviously easier said than done, but the longer you have these bad habits, the worse it is for your health.
90. Take a walk after each meal instead of beaching yourself on the sofa. My grandmother did this all the time and said it is good for digestion (she also did headstands and cartwheels into her late 70s!).
91. Make friends of all ages. There is a lot of learn from friends your age as well as from the old old, but making younger friends is also beneficial.
92. Work on sleeping well every night. Again, easier said than done for many people, but getting good sleep is important for your energy levels during the day as well as your general health.
93. Take care when using supplements and other "anti ageing" products advertised on TV. Many of these things are a straight rip off, on the flip side, overuse of these products could be toxic. Check with your doctor about these things for an expert opinion.
94. Take fire safety seriously. Seniors are at a distinct disadvantage if there is a fire in their home so it pays to plan ahead.
95. Be open to new experiences and following your passions. This makes life more interesting, makes you an interesting person to others, and fills your retirement days with fun things to do (examples here, here, and here).
96. Create a bucket list and strive to check off every goal.
97. Age gracefully...or radically. Examples here, here, here, and here.
98. Check out the myriad of senior resources online (examples here, here, and here).
99. Age joyfully.
100. Leave a legacy.
I bought the RMS reacher, a two-pack, long and short one, about a month ago and I love them.
ReplyDelete