How to remain independent as you age

At Barchester we realise that as we grow older a number of challenges begin to face us from all sides and we may find some tasks just aren’t as easy as they once were! We feel that after working hard for the majority of your life you should enjoy every single moment of retirement. Remaining independent and socially active during this time is paramount, both in terms of our physical and emotional wellbeing. The lifestyle changes that we begin to face do not need to be negative - there are a number of ways to stay independent, happy and healthy whilst in full-time residential care.

Remain active

There’s no doubt that exercise and remaining active make us feel more energetic, in turn allowing us to have more independence. Ensuring that you keep mobile and ambulant means you are still able to stay in touch with your community, friends and neighbours.

It’s recommended that adults aged 65 and above should try to do 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week. If you’re not particularly active don’t forget it’s never too late to start! Simple changes such as breaking up long periods of sitting with light walks can raise your heart rate and make a huge difference to the amount of energy you have throughout the day. If you’ve been inactive for a while you can build up your ability to exercise gradually. It’s said that the most noticeable benefits come to those who start from scratch.

The significance of not allowing our eating habits to deteriorate and holding on to a balanced diet is also crucial in remaining independent for a number of reasons. Not only does diet play a protective role in a breadth of age-related conditions – it is also essential in allowing us to maintain the energy needed for full mobility and exercise. Thankfully, at Barchester we make every meal as nutritionally balanced as possible, using fresh ingredients and reflecting each individual’s likes, dislikes and dietary needs

Stay socially-engaged

We are committed to helping people ensure their lives are as fulfilling as possible and we feel that avoiding loneliness is an essential part of this. Whilst it is often easier to stay in alone in front of the television or with a good book, you should always consider the importance of staying socially engaged when ensuring the preservation of an independent lifestyle. There is a proven link between remaining more communicative with those around you and having a higher level of cognitive function, which in turns allows you to remain self-reliant.

There are a number of meaningful activities that you can pursue to keep your social-life dynamic, which often go hand in hand with being physically active. Companionship and being part of the community around you also often provide the motivation to maintain these higher levels of physical activity. In turn, this keeps mobility limitations and the loss of independence at bay, as well as providing a sense of pride and achievement.

It is also important to remember to ask for help when you need it. Barchester offers services that help you enjoy your hard earned retirement whilst continuing to exercise your independence with a peace of mind!