Senior Independence Month
Creating An Inclusive Society for Seniors
February is Senior Independence Month, and we spent the month focusing on helping senior citizens find ways to live a dignified and happy life with the help of those around them. “Senior independence is possible through an inclusive society: dedicated medical care, accessible public spaces, and vibrant communities.”
In order to create an inclusive society for seniors, we need to:
Invest, vote, and petition for public spaces to have accessible ramps, elevators, and rails so seniors can move freely and uninhibited.
Help seniors understand and use technology to better protect them from internet fraud, as well as connect them to loved ones.
Spend time and communicate with the seniors in our lives! Visiting older relatives or volunteering at senior centers are great opportunities to invest time into our older generation.
But creating an inclusive society takes time.
If you’re looking for immediate ways to promote an independent lifestyle for your loved one, our friends at HomeCare Angels have some suggestions:
Support Their Social Life: Help them attend social activities, visit with friends, and stay involved with local events.
Involve Them in Day-to-Day: Get their assistance with small chores, ask for their input on dinner or what movie to watch
Encourage Exercise: Suggest chair exercises, walking around neighborhood, or gardening!
Keep the Brain Busy: Play the crossword, puzzles, cards, or board games. Participate in what they enjoy!
Safety First: Removing trip hazards, add hand-rails in bathrooms, and overall promote safety.
If we are so lucky, every one of us will find ourselves in the position of seniors today. It is imperative that we create a world that allows us to age.
