Month: December 2019

Our needs start to change as we age. For some people, this may require a change in scenery, especially if mobility issues prevent them from getting around their home. Seniors can particularly struggle when returning home after an illness or injury and the resulting stay in hospital. If they choose to continue their rehabilitation process at home rather than in a rehabilitative care facility, then you may need to adapt your home to meet their new needs.

Here are a few ways to adapt a home for senior living…

Grab rails

Grab rails situated around the home can help seniors move about freely while also preventing falls. They are commonly placed in the shower or bath to prevent slips, and next to the toilet to help seniors sit down and get up more easily. Grab rails can also help people in wheelchairs get around independently.

Stairlift

A single-story home is much easier for seniors to navigate, but if moving house isn’t an option, then you may need to install a stairlift so that they can get up and downstairs more easily.

Accessible bathing

Climbing in and out of a bath can be another challenge for seniors with low mobility. Walk-in showers or wet rooms are highly accessible as it continues on the same level as the bathroom floor. You can also place a seat inside the shower so you don’t have to stand up on it. You can also install a walk-in bath, which requires a much smaller step up to get into.

Remote technology

Remote controls for TVs were game changers at the time, but now you can control pretty much anything from where you’re sitting. This can be helpful for seniors with low mobility. If they get up in the night, switching lights on from a single device is safer than walking around in the dark to reach a light switch. An entry camera and smart doorbell can also let them speak to visitors at the door without getting up.

Here are some other smart devices that can help with senior living.

Non-slip flooring

Trips and falls are a common problem among seniors. A fall can be life-threatening, especially for seniors who live alone. Non-slip flooring with plenty of traction can help to prevent this. This type of flooring is particularly important in the bathroom and shower cubicle where floors get wet slippery.

Adapting their home could help seniors retain their independence for longer. But, if their needs escalate beyond this, then independent and assisted living at Bermuda Village is the next best option. Get in touch to find out more.

The current retirement age in the US is currently around 65-67, depending on when you were born, and is likely to slowly increase in the future. Still, some people are working past this age. According to Business Insider, around one-fifth of Americans are working past retirement age. Let’s look at some of the reasons for this and whether or not it’s a positive thing.

Why do some people work past retirement age?

It’s easy to make the assumption that people work past retirement age because they can’t afford to retire. But this, in most cases, is not true. Some Americans are choosing to retire later because they still feel completely able to continue working into their late 60s. This is a logical consequence of longer life expectancy and improved health as we age.

As well as being able to work, some people prefer to continue to work, finding it fulfilling and stimulating, especially if they enjoy their job. There are even cases of people going back to work after retiring because they find themselves getting bored. It makes sense that seniors in active and physically demanding jobs would retire earlier than those in more sedentary positions.

Past retirement age, some seniors may choose to reduce their hours, if their company allows it, or to take on a different job that’s less demanding and with fewer hours.

The pros and cons of working past retirement age

Is it good for us to continue working past retirement age? There are certainly benefits to our mental and physical health. Working in a mentally stimulating job keeps your brain active, which can make a difference when preventing degenerative conditions like dementia. Most jobs also provide a social atmosphere, with colleagues, customers, or both. As we age, it can be more difficult to make and maintain friendships, so staying in work for longer can help us stay social, which helps fight loneliness and depression.

There can be downsides of working past retirement age, though, especially if you are forced into this situation for financial reasons rather than choosing to stay in work. Staying in a job you are not engaged with can be stressful and can negatively impact your mood. Plus, if you’re in a physically demanding job, then this can put an increasing strain on your body as you age.

It’s all about deciding what is right for you, both personally and financially. For more advice on senior living and lifestyle, get in touch with Bermuda Village if you have any questions.