10 Healthy Tips for Living Alone After 60
Aging increases the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes. Health is important, especially as we age. For older adults who live alone, this is even more true. Maybe you want to live a more healthy lifestyle, but you’re not sure where to begin. Luckily, you’re already in the right place! Here are 10 healthy tips for living alone after 60.
1. Get a good night’s sleep.
Older adults need roughly 7-9 hours of sleep per night to feel their best. Of course, every individual has different sleep needs. Still, if you find yourself overly dependent on your coffee pot, you might need more rest. Not getting enough sleep can actually increase the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and depression. So, if you want to stay healthy, make sure you get enough rest!
2. Get regular exercise.
Whether you hate exercising or look forward to your daily sweat session at the gym, exercise is important! Not only can it reduce blood pressure, but it also reduces the risk of falling and fracturing bones! And don’t forget about the emotional benefits. Studies show that regular physical activity can actually improve one’s mood and overall well-being. Talk about a two-birds-with-one-stone scenario!
3. Finetune your diet.
Most of us would rather have a slice of cake than an apple. While occasionally enjoying a forkful of chocolatey, melt-in-your-mouth goodness is perfectly okay, it’s important to eat fruits and veggies, too! It’s especially important for older adults to get enough nutrients. Try to incorporate more whole grains, like oatmeal and brown rice, into your diet. Seafood and eggs are a healthy source of proteins, too!
Related: 10 Healthy Aging Tips For Retirees
4. Stay socially active.
Exercising and eating right are only one half of the health equation. If you’re lonely or depressed, it doesn’t matter how many miles you walk or how many apples you consume. You simply won’t be at your healthiest! In fact, social isolation may increase your blood pressure, raise your cholesterol, and even lead to cognitive decline. Make it a point to socialize with your friends and family regularly. If you can’t get out, use the internet and reach out to friends via messaging apps or FaceTime. Don’t ever let yourself become isolated!
5. Schedule regular check-ups.
You may feel as though you’re in perfect health, but there’s nothing wrong with preventative care. Scheduling regular check-ups can help you stay on top of your health. Screenings and dental services may be the key to staying healthy. Additionally, lab tests can provide further insight into your health and even tell you if you have prediabetes. Get in contact with your physician sooner rather than later. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being more proactive about your health!
6. Keep your house clean.
We’ve all let it happen. Dishes pile up in the sink. Laundry overflows from the hamper. Dishes never make their way back to the cupboard, and before you know it, clutter has overrun your entire house. However, living in a cluttered space can actually be detrimental to both our mental and physical health. Not only does clutter put you at greater risk for falls, but it can also increase your stress levels. So, don’t allow yourself to get acquainted with all the dust bunnies and cobwebs. Take care of them! If you can’t do it alone, ask your friends or loved ones for a little assistance. Of course, you can also hire a cleaning service, too!
7. Get a pet.
Whether you’re a cat person, a dog person, or maybe a snake person, pets can truly bring a lot of joy and companionship to our lives. Studies show that pets reduce stress and instill a sense of purpose. Not to mention, they may also encourage physical activity! Additionally, dogs can also make you feel safer. They may bark if a stranger comes to the door and generally provide a sense of security. And, while smaller pets like rabbits and gerbils probably aren’t the best guard animals, they can still provide happiness and purpose.
8. Have a schedule.
It’s no secret among older adults that retirement can sometimes bring a sense of purposelessness. When you worked, you had your day planned by the minute. You got up, drank coffee, drove to work, did your job, and came home to more routines. Likewise, if you were a stay-at-home mom or dad, you also had a schedule formed around your kids and household duties. However, as we age, we may feel adrift. The solution? Create a schedule! Whether your schedule is light or packed to the brim, it’s important to make daily goals—and to strive to meet them!
9. Make your home aging-in-place friendly.
If you’re an older adult who wants to get the most out of independent living, then make sure your home is a safe haven for aging in place! There are a number of things you can do to make your house the perfect place to age in place. Consider installing a home security or alert system. Installing motion sensor lights is another easy way to make your home a little safer. And don’t forget about the bathroom! You can make it a little more secure simply by installing shower grab bars. Of course, it’s never a bad idea to have an emergency plan in place! Make sure you have emergency contacts and even a disaster kit. This last tip may be especially important for seniors who live in places with tornadoes, hurricanes, flash flooding, and other forms of severe weather.
10. Pursue your hobbies.
We can always nourish our bodies, lock all the doors, and spend time with our friends to stay healthy. However, it’s also important to make sure that you’re doing things that make you happy! Whether you love painting or enjoy birdwatching, make sure you pursue your passions. Don’t have a hobby? That’s okay! Now is the perfect time to find one. It’s never too late to take up creative writing or even learn a new language. Consider joining a book club or other social group. If you need more ideas on low-cost hobbies for older adults, click HERE to read our article on just that!
Are you over 50 and looking for housing?
Whether you live alone or with a partner, or, actively seeking a roomie, here are some resources to check out:
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Originally published November 14, 2023
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