What is Independent Living
There are a number of reasons why older people might choose to live at home rather than in a retirement facility or with family. For some, it’s simply a matter of independence – they want to maintain their own home and their own lifestyle for as long as possible.
At Isaac Care, We believe that people are happiest when effectively cared for in their own homes, and we aim to give families the tools and support they need to enable their loved ones to live safely and independently at home. In this blog, we will discuss the benefits and barriers that come with independent living, and how Isaac Care can help you live independently at home.
Benefits of Independent Living
Independent living has many benefits for everyone. One of the most important is that it allows older people or people with additional needs to maintain their independence. Those who live independently are able to make their own decisions about their lives and are not reliant on others for care or assistance. Additionally, independent living can help people stay active and engaged in their communities. It also provides opportunities for social interaction and can help reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness. Finally, independent living can be less expensive than other types of living arrangements, such as assisted living or nursing homes.
Independent living is a good option for those who are able or rather to take care of themselves. It offers people the chance to stay where they can be independent, have control over their lives and where they feel most comfortable. If you are considering independent living for yourself or a loved one, be sure to research all of the available options to find the best fit.
Barriers to Independent Living
Independent living skills are those which allow an individual to fend for themselves without the need for regular assistance from others. This can include everything from budgeting and cooking to maintaining a home and keeping up with personal hygiene. For older people, independent living skills are often seen as vital in allowing them to maintain their independence and quality of life as they age.
There are many potential barriers to independent living as an older person. These can include physical limitations, cognitive decline and social isolation. Isaac Care has been created keeping in mind all of these barriers of independent living, and as a result we have produced ways to overcome these barriers.
– Physical limitations can make it difficult to perform activities during the day, also make it hard to get around the home or go outside. – Isaac Care has a GPS enabled fall alarm which links with our family caring app. This gives peace of mind to the person living alone but also their loved ones that if there was a fall in the home or out and about, help is on the way.
– Cognitive decline can make it difficult to remember certain tasks such as taking essential medication – Isaac Care’s reminder feature is there to notify you to take any medication or to remind you on any upcoming appointments or events.
– Social isolation can be a major barrier to independent living – Older people who live alone may have little contact with the outside world and may become lonely and isolated. This can lead to depression and other mental health problems. – Isaac Care has a Link Feature for news, games or any areas of interests. This feature allows you to easily bookmark websites of interest, so that people who are not familiar with technology can easily access the websites they want through our easy to use interface.
– Difficulty managing chronic conditions from home – Isaac Care provides a remote monitoring service, supporting you to take control of your own health and effectively manage your health from home. We step in with early interventions at the first sign of declining health, allowing you to get any potential problems seen to quickly and get effective and timely care.
Independent living skills can often be learned through formal programs or classes, or simply by trial and error. However, it is important for elders to have access to the resources and support they need in order to develop these skills. This can include everything from family and friends to professional services.
‘It’s a relief that we have something, my sister lives far away and my brother works full time. We can’t be there all the time but knowing that we have the app and will get a call if something happens is very reassuring.
Isaac Care is helping us avoid going down the carer route, while Mam is still mobile and independent’
– Sharon McQuillan, PRIMARY CARER
How Isaac Care can help you live Independently
At Isaac Care our goal is to support people to live in their own homes as they age. Our range of assistive technology and 24/7 support allows us to do this, while keeping families and loved ones up to date through our circle of care app.
1. Easy communication through Circles of Care – While the fall alarm gives the care recipient the confidence that they can maintain their independence with help on hand at the touch of a button, the Isaac app provides many benefits to their friends, families and everyone involved in their care.
2. Calendar Management- The calendar feature allows care circles to keep updated on the care recipients’ appointments and events. When adding an appointment you can choose what circle of care will be able to see this event in their calendar.
3. 24/7 Reassurance and Support – Our dedicated team are on hand to monitor any fall or SOS alerts 24/7, 365 days a year.
4. Early Interventions – The health monitoring feature allows you to keep track of vital readings, providing a detailed picture of the care recipient’s health over time. This allows for early intervention if there is a sudden change in the care recipients readings.
Whatever the reason, there are a few things that those who choose to live independently should keep in mind. First, it’s important to stay active and engaged in order to maintain both your physical and mental health. This can be done by joining social groups, taking part in activities you enjoy, and keeping up with your hobbies. Additionally, it’s important to make sure your home is safe and accessible – this may involve making some modifications, such as installing handrails or widening doorways.
Finally, it’s a good idea to have a support network in place in case you need help with things like transportation, grocery shopping, or home maintenance. With the help of Isaac Care, we aim to keep you living independently, safely.
Secure Your Peace of Mind Today
Get in Touch
Our dedicated team are on hand to assist you in any way. Contact us on (042) 936 8391 or fill in your details in the contact form and one of our team will be in touch.
