September is Healthy Aging Month. Today’s article touches on three aspects of healthy aging: minimizing transition stress; minimizing financial stress; and self-care.
The U.S. senior population continues to grow; and so does the number of seniors who want to “age in place,” or stay in their current homes as long as possible. The main obstacle is homes built for younger and fitter residents—homes with stairs, narrow doorways, steep-sided bathtubs, and other features that may become inaccessible when someone develops age-related disabilities. A 2021 survey found that one home in three would cause inaccessibility issues for household members with physical challenges.
But I Can’t Afford to Remodel!
Unfortunately, many “aging in place” modifications require home remodeling that is not only expensive, but a source of inconvenience and stress. Fortunately, that’s not true of all modifications—especially in the age of digital assistive technology. The 2021 survey also found that 48 percent of participants included “smart-home devices” among their preferred aging-in-place changes. And 76 percent of adults over 50 rated access to high-speed internet as “very important” (while, surprisingly, only 70 percent of participants under 50 did).
Voice-operated digital assistants (Alexa, Siri, etc.) are the most obvious smart technologies. Most smart devices come with at least one assistant that can:
- Answer questions verbally
- Take notes
- Place delivery orders
- Send messages
- Play music and/or videos
- Operate other apps
- Turn on lights, televisions, and other devices with “smart” connections
- Understand a user with speech disabilities, and even “translate” their speech for acquaintances
More complicated tasks may require additional technology. If you need a recommendation—or aren’t sure what your current assistant can and can’t do—try consulting a Digital Navigator.
Other Tips for Healthy Aging
Besides using smart devices and modifying homes, seniors can modify their habits so fewer modifications are needed, because fewer disabilities develop. Regular physical activity, for instance, lowers risk for both falls and dementia, either of which can cause unnecessary disabilities.
The next section suggests apps that can help build healthy-aging habits such as:
- Regular exercise (no one is too disabled to find some type of physical activity)
- Eating for healthy weight, heart health, etc.
- Maintaining social connections
- Getting regular medical checkups, tests, and vaccinations
- Reducing anxiety
- Planning ahead and preparing for emergencies
Apps for Healthy Aging in Place
Health and fitness:
- Apple Health
- FitBit: Health & Fitness
- Food Diary See How You Eat App
- Headspace: Sleep & Meditation
- Health Storylines
- MyFitnessPal: Calorie Counter
- Peloton: Fitness & Workouts
- Plum Village: Zen Meditation
- Samsung Health
- Start Simple with MyPlate
- Teladoc Health
- Ten Percent Happier Meditation
Planning:
- Emergency: Severe Weather App
- First Aid: American Red Cross
- Goodbudget Budget Planner
- My SOS Family Emergency Alerts
- Notarize (get wills and other important documents legally certified)
- Taskrabbit–Handyman & More (find a home remodeler or other “task” professional)
Transportation:
Smart homes/appliances:
Apps Lists for Seniors:
- BridgingApps Brain Cognition Apps for Older Adults and Seniors
- BridgingApps for Older Adults and Seniors
- BridgingApps Game Apps for Older Adults and Seniors
- BridgingApps Memory Apps for Older Adults and Seniors
- BridgingApps Recreation Apps for Older Adults and Seniors
- BridgingApps Social Connection Apps for Older Adults and Seniors