Life expectancy is increasing in Europe, so much so that the average life expectancy for women is expected to reach 90 years soon. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly important to prevent the unexpected and continue taking care of yourself. Here are some tips, covering science, technology, finance, and culture to help take care of yourself as an elderly.

1) Look to the Future

Growing old is not enough; we must try to be healthy in the first place. To do this, it is essential to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle that suits you, including a diet that needs to be reviewed as you age, physical activity, avoiding smoking, alcohol, and other forms of abuse, and attending health screenings.

2) Dependence on Technology

Mastering the use of smartphones and computers can now make a real difference. The tools that technology provides can be supportive to the elderly, and not only in terms of communication. A prominent example is home automation, which can save time and effort, especially for those with mobility challenges, by delegating difficult-to-manage tasks. Even a system that opens and closes shutters and locks and automatically sets the house’s temperature can be effective.

Hazard detectors such as fire alarms, gas leak sensors, carbon monoxide sensors, surveillance cameras, and alarm systems can also contribute to the quality of life, especially for those living alone.

3) A Clinical Eye on Your Finances

Keeping an eye on one’s income (pension) and expenses (bills, investments, medical bills, etc.) is the first step in avoiding unforeseen circumstances. You may also want to inquire about possible consolidations related to your pension and possible exemptions regarding your health habits.

Some people also make new investments as they enter old age. For example, making choices that will make a big difference financially when they decide to move to a smaller house or the suburbs, such as household help or a room that fits their new lifestyle. Another economic consideration is the possibility of implementing renovations and structural changes to improve accessibility and space management for people with mobility difficulties, such as step-free entrances, elevators, wider hallways, and generally eliminating architectural barriers, to make the home “suitable for the elderly”.These expenses should be budgeted well in advance to avoid surprises.

4) Don’t Let Loneliness Get the Best of You

The past year has not been generous in this regard. However, recent research on the effects of isolation and loneliness underscores the importance of fostering relationships among all age groups, especially the young and the elderly. Being (and feeling) part of a group is a panacea for a state of mind, and loneliness is essential for maintaining intact mental health, which threatens emotional stress, anxiety, and especially depression.

Especially in this period, when the constraints of the Covid-19 pandemic define our lives, networks can be our allies: keeping in touch with friends and relatives online, messages, or even better, video calls is a good thing for us.

5) Pursue a Hobby

Pursuing a passion or reconnecting with a favorite hobby can sometimes get in the way of life. But now that you have plenty of time, you can rekindle the joy of doing what you love.

You need to have time to pursue or find a new hobby, even if it is something as simple as reading a book or painting a picture of your surroundings.

Hobbies may seem unimportant, but they are an excellent way to relax, unwind, and give meaning to your life.

It’s time to join a book club or yoga class you’ve been invited to!

Let us know if these few tips have helped you in the comments below!