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refills and delivery service with your local pharmacy. Keep about
How to Take Care of Yourself two weeks of nonperishable foods (canned soups and vegetables,

pasta, cereal, peanut butter, etc.) on hand, as well as personal-care
When You’re an Elder Orphan items, a supply of batteries and a working fire extinguisher.
Being able to stay in your own home as you age is the gold standard 6—Get involved in your community. Social support and
for many of us, but that ideal can be challenging to pull off when companionship have been shown to improve physical and mental
you live on your own and don’t have family nearby to help. The health, and there’s another plus for those who live alone—it extends
secret to doing it successfully: Preparing for a potential emergency, your care network. Attending a regularly scheduled event might
whether it’s a natural disaster such as a hurricane…an injury such as raise a red flag if you don’t show up one week, for example. You
a fall…or an acute illness. also can develop a buddy system with other people in the same
Here are the steps to take now to help keep yourself safe and secure situation and check in on one another daily with a call or text—just
in any event in the future. as you should be doing with faraway family members. YWCAs/
1—Get all your legal documents in order, and store them in one YMCAs typically offer many programs, as do many church and
place in your home. This includes your health insurance cards and religious organizations and local community centers. Seek out local
policy information, will, trusts, power of attorney and an advance clubs for your personal interests.
health-care directive that states your wishes in the event that you 7—Interview home care agencies well before you need
become incapacitated. Also give a set of copies to someone you them. Most people call for professional assistance only in an
trust. I can’t tell you how common it is for a scavenger hunt to ensue emergency—after an injury, returning home after rehab or when
because no one knows where these documents are when an they suddenly realize that they need help. If you investigate care
emergency occurs and first responders and medical staff don’t know providers when you’re well, you can decide which one you prefer
your wishes. and have your information in its system so that it is ready to go
2—Wear a medical-alert pendant or bracelet. Even if you are when you are.
active and healthy, wearing one of these devices gives peace of Home care isn’t just for the immobile or cognitively impaired.
mind in case of emergency. You shouldn’t just rely on a cell Services such as grocery shopping, transportation to the doctor, light
phone—you may not be able to reach it. And digital assistants, such housekeeping and companionship also come in handy.
as Alexa, currently can’t call 911. Consider a plan that offers a 8—Stay on your feet. One out of -every four adults age 65+ suffers
mobile network with GPS technology that you also can use when a fall -annually. It is the leading cause of injury and death in this age
you are away from home if you were to get lost or, say, suffer group, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
cardiac symptoms or an injury on a hike or bike ride. Buy a (CDC). Prevent falls by having your bathroom outfitted with grab
waterproof model that can be worn in the shower. The Apple Watch bars, shower benches, nonslip mats and elevated toilet seats—these
is another option, although it can be difficult to set up for those who items can be useful for anyone, not just for seniors. As a precaution,
are not tech-savvy. always wear your -medical-alert device while in the bathroom.
These devices aren’t just for injuries and illness. You can use them You’ll also want to remove any area rugs with corners you can trip
to call 911 in the event of fire or flood or if someone is trying to over…make sure that you have plenty of lighting (including
break into your home. nightlights)…eliminate clutter on floors and steps…and -arrange
3—Make a plan for responders to get into your home. What furniture so that you have plenty of room to maneuver. Eldercare
happens if you need emergency help and can’t get to the door to and home-safety companies often will have safety pros available
unlock it? Besides a delay in your treatment, first responders are who can come to your home, usually for an hourly rate, and do an
going to knock down your door or break a window to get inside, and assessment of what you need. You also can find checklists online,
the repair costs will be up to you. Giving a neighbor a key—and such as from the CDC at https://bit.ly/2AaGPQp.
including him/her on the contact list for your medical-alert And, of course, stay physically active. Exercise helps prevent injury
provider—is one way to avoid that. Add an extra level of security by by maintaining strength and balance.
getting a lockbox to hold your keys on your front or back doorknob. 9—Consider working with a geriatric-care manager if you
(This is the gadget that realtors use in order to enter a house that is become infirm. These professionals are typically licensed nurses or
for sale.) Or install a keypad lock that requires only a numerical social workers who specialize in geriatrics—though they can help
code. Give the access code to a neighbor and to your local police people of any age. They are sometimes referred to as “professional
and fire departments. This way, it’s in the dispatcher’s instructions relatives” because they can take over a lot of what family members
to first responders if you call 911. might help manage—assessing your assistance needs, helping
4—Make your kitchen emergency central. One of the first places develop a care plan, hiring help and acting as your advocate. They
responders look for info is the -refrigerator door. Post a list there of usually charge by the hour and typically aren’t covered by
what responders should do in an emergency. Include the people to insurance. The cost may be worth it, however, because they can
contact and their phone numbers, the location of those important ensure a more positive outcome and reduce medical costs down the
legal documents you’ve stored in one place, preferred doctor and road, lessen the need for distant family members (if you even have
hospital information, and the medications you take and where they them) to engage in emergency travel and save the time spent trying
are located. Also helpful: Keep all those meds (prescription and over to coordinate care. Ask about nearby care managers at your doctor’s
-the-counter) in a visible container on your kitchen counter. office, elder-care companies that probably have them on staff and
5—Stock up on provisions. Make sure you have at least one local senior programs…or go to Eldercare Locator
week’s worth of medications on hand at all times—set up auto at Eldercare.acl.gov. Article from BottomLineInc.com

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