17 Self-Care Tips for Single Seniors Recovering from an Illness or Injury
Many Boomers live alone. In fact, according to stats, nearly one in six Boomers lives all by themselves. They may not have family or friends who live close by, or be widowed. Or they chose the single life voluntarily! Whatever the case, when an unexpected health issue occurs, they’re left to recover on their own. Earlier this year, I found myself in this exact situation. I was recovering from open-heart surgery while living alone. Well, during the process, I learned a few things I’d like to share. Here are some tips for making your solo trip to rehabilitation a little easier.
1. Stay positive.
It’s important to keep an “I can do this” positive attitude. Believe it or not, your mindset can play a huge role in the healing process. According to one article by the Scientific American, there’s a growing body of research that supports the idea that your thoughts can heal your body and keep you healthy in the first place.
“There are now several lines of research suggesting that our mental perception of the world constantly informs and guides our immune system in a way that makes us better able to respond to future threats,” says science journalist and best-selling author Jo Marchant. “That was a sort of ‘aha’ moment for me — where the idea of an entwined mind and body suddenly made more scientific sense than an ephemeral consciousness that’s somehow separated from our physical selves.”
Talk about a “wow moment”! So, if you want to heal faster, do a little healing work on your brain. Try to stay positive. Don’t feed your mind with negativity (which probably means you’ll have to avoid social media). Make the most of your circumstances and choose to make lemonade out of the lemons you’ve been given!
2. Don’t overdo it.
We seniors often feel like we have something to prove. We’ve been tough our whole lives, the ones who have had to stay strong for the rest of the family. Naturally, when we have surgery or injure ourselves, our first thought isn’t to relax and give our bodies time to heal. No, our first thought is to grit our teeth and get back on our feet. However, doing too much, too soon, is detrimental to your health and recovery. If your doctor has given you strict orders to stay off your feet for a certain period, don’t disobey them. Follow whatever your healthcare provider tells you and take it easy for a while. Also, take your medication as prescribed and eat healthy, nutritious meals! If you’re a senior, chances are, you’ve worked hard your entire life. Enjoy your rest and let your body recover.
3. Keep a forgiving attitude.
It happens. The people you thought would be there for you aren’t. They don’t come to see you in the hospital, and they don’t even send you a “get well” card in the email (or over the internet). When circumstances like this arise, it can be tempting to wallow in self-pity. Try not to let this interfere with your recovery, no matter how hurt you may feel. Stress will only make things more difficult. Keep a forgiving attitude by remembering that everyone has reasons for what they do.
4. Rest.
In today’s fast-paced, go-go-go world, we all feel the need to be going at Mach 10 at all times. However, an injury or illness makes it impossible to go at the same speed. So, take rest periods as needed. If you need to de-stress, put on some calming music or a podcast you enjoy. Even after you recover, you might not be able to pick up where you left off and go at the same pace you used to. Remember to take rests and don’t feel guilty for slowing down a little.
5. Walk.
When you’re able to, walk. Every little bit helps. Of course, wait until your doctor says it’s OK. But walking will help you recover faster. In fact, do any exercises that your doctor instructs. It might hurt, but it’ll gradually get easier. If there are any problems, do not hesitate to call your physician! Additionally, make sure you don’t skip out on rehab! Physical therapy is a great way to rebuild your strength after an injury.
6. Have food stocked at home.
If you know in advance that you’ll be taking time to recover from an injury or illness, then make sure to prepare by having plenty of easy-to-make, healthy foods at home. If you’re recovering from something that happened suddenly (like a heart attack), then take advantage of your city’s local resources. Meals on Wheels or other care services can help!
7. Grab bars are low-cost supports you’ll thank yourself for.
A lot of us might not want to install safety devices in our homes. Maybe it’s because we hate what it signifies: That we’re getting older and losing our strength. Or maybe we just don’t like the appearance of safety devices. Whatever your reasoning, don’t let pride (or stodginess) stand in the way of safety. Safety devices, like grab bars or handrails, can be the difference between health and injury (or, in more serious cases, life and death)! They’re especially useful in the bathroom, where 80% of falls occur! A shower chair can also help.
8. Keep your phone nearby.
If you have a cell phone, make sure you have it with you at all times. Should you fall or need help, dial 9-1-1 immediately! You can also download certain apps to elevate your safety. For example, the Senior Safety app comes with a fall tracker, which can be especially useful if you’re recovering from an injury.
9. Organize your medicine.
Organize your medicines so that you do not forget to take them at the correct times. Your thinking may not be as alert as it was before the illness, and it is very important to take those medicines correctly. You can always buy a medicine organizer, like this one available on Amazon for $24.99*. Additionally, you can set reminders and alarms on your phone that’ll pop up when it’s time to take your medication.
10. Wait to drive.
Do not drive until the doctor says that it is OK. Remember, it is not only your life that could be put in danger, but the lives of others on the road.
11. Enlist help from home care services.
If you are not supposed to lift, then many tasks like laundry, grocery shopping, and cleaning may be difficult for you for a while. If you can, enlist the help of a home care or housekeeping service. If not, get online and order some additional supports like a nice rolling cart with wheels for carrying bags and laundry.
12. Get creative.
You may find that you are weak. Picking up items that you drop may be more difficult than usual. Believe it or not, I used spaghetti tongs to pick up small things. Hey, it worked for me! Be creative and figure out new ways to do things that will keep you from stressing or being overly tired. Swap your regular dishes for paper plates to make dinner clean-up easier. Drag the trash can instead of carrying it.
Of course, you can also get creative in an artistic sense! For example, if you feel up to it, you can always dabble in a little painting or writing. Adult coloring books might also be a fun, low-stress hobby that’ll make your recovery a little more colorful…literally! Journaling your thoughts and feelings can also be especially useful. Not only is this a great way to deal with your feelings, but it’s also something you can look back on and enjoy once you’re recovered to see how far you’ve come.
13. Connect.
Hopefully, you will have some great reading material near you. If you have access to a computer, then use it! There are many support groups online,e such as Heart Sisters, the one that I joined. Use your Facebook friends as much as you need to use them. They might not be there in person, but it sure feels good to know that they care. My Facebook friends gave me so much encouragement. I am so grateful for them.
Share at your doctor’s office. If he does not have time to be supportive or caring, then you might want to consider looking for another physician, depending upon your given circumstances. Take full advantage of what your insurance company has to offer if you have medical insurance. Some offer physical therapy, rehabilitation, visiting nurses, sitters and etc. Use them if needed!
14. Don’t rush back to work.
If you’re employed, it will do no good to sit at home worrying about when you can get back to work. I know times are rough. I was there myself. Take the necessary time to heal before going back to work. I must admit, I did not do this. Now I am having to do some of the things that I should have done before starting back to a full-time job. You might be thinking, “Yes, this is easier said than done. I need a paycheck!” I understand; I did too.
Now, I regret not fully getting well before going back to work. Even though Dave Ramsey says to tear up those credit cards, I believe that sometimes a person needs one. When my emergency fund ran out, I used the credit card. Being frugal is good, but doing without the necessary things that you need when sick is NOT the time to save money. Your life is much more important than money. When you are well, then you can work and pay that credit card off. It is working for me!
15. Love your pets.
If you have a pet while sick, then love it! Pets seem to have a way of knowing when you need love, too. And, they provide some much-needed companionship! Now, if you’re struggling to take care of your pets during surgery, don’t feel guilty about asking for a little outside help. You can always hire a pet sitter on Rover or even board your animal temporarily. While you might feel a little guilty, both you and your pets deserve top-notch care.
16. Ask for help.
Now for the big one that is difficult for some of us to do: ask for help. Ask the grocery man to carry your groceries to the car. Let him return the cart. Let the neighbor help you with that door. Make it an opportunity to meet a neighbor and get their phone number. You might need to use it, and in addition, you might get time later on down the line to return the favor. You might even make a friend. If you have a place where you worship, sometimes they are willing to help. It does not mean that you are a weak person because you ask for help. Always thank the person or send them a thank-you card.
17. Take time for YOU.
Let things go if you’re tired. It will get done when you feel better. Take this time to pamper and love yourself. You will find that when you come out of all of this that you will be a much stronger person than you were before. Each day that you try gives you one more chance to be an inspiration to others in the journey of life.
More importantly, don’t just engage in self-care while you’re recovering. Make self-care a priority, whether you’re sick or well. According to statistics, 33% of people feel extreme stress, while a whopping 77% are stressed to the point it’s started to affect their physical health. Yikes! Don’t let yourself get to that point. Heck, maybe that’s why you fell ill in the first place. Manage your stress. Take nature walks and make time for the hobbies that brighten your day and soul. Spend time with your friends and avoid triggers, such as social media and the news. Take care of yourself, your body, and your brain! You deserve to feel happy and healthy, especially as you age.
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Originally published May 12, 2025
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