By Kerry Knight
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| Photo Credit: inc.com |
Ever wonder what your top four needs should be as you get
older?
As seniors, we’ve seen a lot in
our lives. As the world as it moved from the Industrial
Age to the Information Age across the new millennium, we witnessed it in
real-time. Both the good and the bad. Some of us were fortunate to be able to
acquire valued belongings, some of us were able to travel a bit, and maybe, some
of us had the chance to really enjoy our families.
As we age, our “needs” list change somewhat. For example, when we are in our late teens
and early 20s, getting a good education is a vital concern. The next ten years require that we find a good-paying
job or a promising career. This would
also be the time for purchasing our first home.
Our 30s and 40s are the earning years, when we should be putting money
away and investing wisely. In our 50s,
we should be thinking about retirement and putting the final touches on
planning for our “Golden Years.” Then
come the retirement years.
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Now, everything changes.
If you have planned well, you can enjoy some rest and
relaxation. No more punching a clock or
running a business. You can slow down
and enjoy retirement. Obviously, with
money, life always seems to be a little easier to manage. But, whether you have planned perfectly or not, there are
certain needs that you’ll have as you reach the “Golden Years.”
Number one is Companionship.
If you’ve been happily married for many years and still have your
lifelong companion, this can be a great time.
Many who are just reaching their retirement years want to travel. They want to see the world they were deprived
of visiting while they were busy making a living.
However, health issues can soon slow down the travel
arrangements ― any retirement plans really ― and may require rethinking how you
will spend those special years. Health
problems may require needed assistance from your companion.
But what if you don’t have a companion? There are in-home services that can offer
help with everything from meal preparation to companionship. Usually their services are offered during
regular business hours. If nighttime
assistance is needed, the cost can add up.
Moving in with your family may be an option, as long as there is someone
in the family that has the time, willingness and/or ability to help. If not, assisted living facilities are
available. They provide housing, meals,
assistance with medications, transportation and companionship. These can be costly, but it’s a possible
option. One of the advantages of assisted
living is the ability to be with other residents, create friendships, and have
projects that you can enjoy doing together.
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| Photo Credit: annerosselyrealestate.com |
The second need that seniors will require is Transportation. If you’ve reached a point where you can no
longer drive, transportation becomes critical.
Crucial errands such going to the grocery store and pharmacy suddenly
become a real challenge. Same with going
to scheduled doctors’ appointments or other health-oriented events (exercise
sessions at the gym, etc.). Who can help
with that? There are some stores that
offer free delivery. If not, some non-profit
groups offer transportation. If you have
some form of assisted living, they can also take care of transportation needs. In many cases, family or friends can help
with this, too. However, some transportation issues are more oriented
towards rest and relaxation. It may be
that you just need to get out of the house to take a drive, for your own mental
well-being.
The third need is a New Challenge. Whether we are eight or
80, we never outgrow our need for a new challenge. Even
in our retirement years, we need to seek out challenges for our mind and
body. It might be starting some fitness
program, developing a new hobby, or getting more into reading. Keeping the mind challenged and busy is
another way to ward off things like dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease. Challenge yourself!
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| Photo Credit: apartmentsafety.info |
Number four is Making Your Environment Safe to Live in. Whether you live in your own home or an
assisted living facility, making your location safer becomes more and more
important as you age. One third of those
aged 65 or older will fall each year. At
age 80, that percentage increases to 50% of us.
And of that number, once having fallen, these people are two to three times
more likely to fall again. Falling is
significant because it almost always leads to broken bones, such as fractured
hips, which could reduce mobility and permanently hamper one’s lifestyle. Worse yet, a head injury can lead to more
serious problems such as brain trauma or even death (read our previous blogs, “The
Danger of Bathtubs – Falling is a Family Matter,” and “How
Seniors Can Protect Themselves from Falling.”)
Why are seniors prone to falling? There are several reasons. It may be because of prescribed
medications. It could be because of loss
of balance due to lightheadedness. It
can also stem from being unfit. This is
why exercise, even in our senior years, is so important. Falls can also occur simply because
precautions have not been taken to make the house safe. Slippery floors, thrown rugs and clutter
doesn’t help.
One area that requires special attention is the
bathroom. It’s is the number one area
where harmful falls can take place. Why
not add several grab bars in the bathroom, especially around the toilet and the
tub?
Many seniors (and/or their caring families) are seeing the
need for a Walk-in Tub. These
specialized bathtubs offer a soaking and sit down shower option that’s free of
the risks taken with normal bathing.
They fit in the spot where a normal bathtub is located. They offer a water-tight door that can be
easily opened and closed by the occupant.
The door’s low threshold makes entering and exiting the tub easy. Once the door is closed and locked, the tub
can be filled with warm water that covers the back. A hand-held shower wane allows them to shower
while sitting. Therapeutic air and water
jets can be added to relax the body and help heal problem areas.
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| Photo Credit: huffingtonpost.com |
Another great thing about Walk-in Tubs is they this
allow the senior to bathe independently and in private. This is tremendous for one’s self-esteem. And all this is done without the fear or risk
of falling. Not surprisingly, many who
have just reached retirement age and are still in good health are installing
Walk-in Tubs as they plan for the future.
Another option for seniors is the Safety Suite Shower. These
can be configured as Low-Threshold or Zero-Threshold designs. Each model has a
built-in seat, in a variety of different configurations (i.e., fold-down,
built-in, etc.), which can be topped with slip-resistant acrylic surface or a
Brazilian Walnut seat top.
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| Photo Credit: tubking.com |
These handsome showers can be customized to meet each
individual’s situation. For example, in the Zero-Threshold models, the shower
can be right- or left-side oriented (in terms of where the seat and hand-held
water sprayer are configured). In the Zero-Threshold models, the hand-held
shower wand and controls can be situated on the left, center or right. Even the drain can be placed in different
locations to facilitate installation and plumbing issues. Both designs feature safety
wall grips and handrails, even atop the temperature control. Optional accessories include a bathroom paper
roll, towel rack and shelf, all of which have built-in safety grips.
Whatever your age, it’s not too early to think about what
lies ahead. Planning and preparation
will make life a little easier down the road. Take the time to think about these four needs.
Set aside some time to discuss these
issues with family and friends. Once you
have determined what your needs and goals, put your plan in writing and then
begin implementing your plan one item at a time.
In this article, I discussed the top four needs of seniors, especially
as they reach retirement. I outlined the details on each need and discussed how
seniors can pragmatically address and accommodate these needs. If you found this article useful, please share it with your
friends and co-workers. If you have a comment related to this article, leave it
in the Comment section of this blog.
Testimonial for Walk-in Tub
If you’d like to receive
a FREE Walk-In Tub Buyers’Guide,
click here. Have a question? Feel free to contact me at the
number or email listed at the end of this article and I’ll personally get back
to you. It’s been my pleasure sharing this information with you.
Thanks again for visiting with us.
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| Have you purchased a tub from Tub King lately? For a limited time, Tub King is offering our customers a Free $10 GiftCard for giving us feedback on your experience. Click Here to Learn More. |
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