Are you an older adult who’s always on the lookout for ways to improve your health? If so, you’re not alone.
Many who are past middle age are happy to stumble upon tactics and techniques for enhancing their lifestyles, lives, and general physical condition.
For many in this age group, at-home safety is a central concern. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to make your living space safer for residents and visitors.
But another health hack is making sure homes are easy to exit during an emergency, like a raging fire or potentially lethal gas leak.
The human imagination is a wonderful thing and leads older adults to do a number of safety-boosting things, like adding a home lift, buying medical travel insurance, making a house fall-proof, and developing detailed emergency plans for a variety of situations.
Here are pertinent details that explain some of the most effective health-related hacks seniors can employ.
Add Rails & Ramps Where Needed
Adding rails and ramps can be a DIY project, or you can hire a local contractor or handyman to do the job.
For older or disabled adults, a single railing on a walkway can be a game-changer, as can a doorway ramp that offers easy access to wheelchairs.
Check your medical insurance policy to see if the carrier will offset some or all of the expense associated with adding ramps and rails to the main house, garage, or outbuilding.
Install a Home Elevator
One of the coolest and most financially wise health hacks of all is installing a home elevator. Not only do the units bring a large measure of elegance to any living space, but they also make at-home living much safer.
Many older adults dread the need to climb stairs whenever they need to move around their homes. Elevators are the solution.
Not only do they look wonderful, but they can also decrease the chances of falling on steps. Installing an easy to fit home elevator can also add to the value of your property should you plan to sell it in the future.
Get Medical Travel Insurance
Adults who make the wise decision to purchase medical travel insurance get a large dose of security and peace of mind simultaneously.
That’s because the policies are specifically for those who travel overseas to get treatments for a wide range of conditions, including IVF, dental work, many kinds of elective surgery, and even cosmetic surgical procedures.
Not only do the policies cover the person getting the medical treatment, but they can be set up to include any traveling companions as well.
Make an Emergency Plan
What’s the easiest way to remain in good health, uninjured, and not become a victim of crime? If you are living in a retirement village you might have on-site assistance but when you’re home alone, have an emergency plan for how to contact the police or other responders.
Know how you would get to a hospital on a moment’s notice. Consider adding a lockdown room where you could go to be safe in the event of a break-in or home invasion. Conduct family fire drills once per month and post emergency plans where everyone can see them.
