| No one likes the thought of getting older. Many | | | | precautions to take. They must be careful about |
| people associate aging with the loss of independence. | | | | remembering to carry out functions such as turning |
| In most cases, elderly people and nursing homes are | | | | off the stove. |
| thoughts that walk hand in hand in one's mind. | | | | Taking care of health is one of the independent living |
| However, aging does not mean that you must give | | | | skills that should not be neglected. Those living by |
| up your home and your freedom to live by yourself. | | | | themselves must be able to recognize the need for a |
| With the right independent living skills, an aging person | | | | doctor's appointment. He or she should be accurate in |
| can extend the time that they have in the comfort | | | | taking medications. Knowledge of doctor |
| of their own home. | | | | appointments is important. It is also helpful for seniors |
| One major skill that is needed to live successfully on | | | | to be aware of medical insurance issues. |
| your own is self-care. In order to remain independent, | | | | Community skills are important for anyone living on |
| a person must be able to take care of bodily needs | | | | their own. A senior needs to understand the risks |
| such as hygiene and using the restroom, including | | | | involved in dealing with strangers. He or she should be |
| being aware of the need to use the restroom. It is | | | | able to appropriately locate help from the community |
| important for at-home seniors to know how to | | | | such as firemen and policemen. Knowledge of public |
| properly and safely bathe. | | | | transportation should also be on the list. |
| Another of the very important independent living skills | | | | A senior living on his or her own should have the |
| deals with money. It takes money to properly keep | | | | independent living skills to carry out shopping needs. |
| a home. A senior must be able to budget finances to | | | | He or she should be competent to create a shopping |
| accommodate power, water, medical, and grocery | | | | list, understand the process of purchasing the needed |
| needs. He or she should be knowledgeable in keeping | | | | items, and paying for the items. |
| a check register and writing checks. It is important | | | | Remaining in your own home for as long as possible |
| for elderly persons living alone to understand their | | | | is a desire of most everyone. The feeling of being |
| savings, retirement, and social security income. | | | | able to care for yourself is priceless when it comes |
| Home management is another essential element for | | | | to adding happiness and length to your life. Achieving |
| independent living. These tasks include cooking, | | | | the independent living skills that are needed to |
| cleaning, and laundry. While some hire help for these | | | | successful manage your own home and care for |
| chores, it is still important that a senior recognize the | | | | your own needs are the key to maintaining your |
| need for them to be completed. When cooking, it is | | | | freedom in your senior years. |
| critical that aging persons be aware of safety | | | | |