You’ve probably heard the term “life hack” or even “hack your life” before, but what does this really mean? According to Dictionary.com, a life hack is a strategy or technique adopted in order to manage one’s time and daily activities in a more efficient way. In other words, it’s all about finding ways to eliminate some of life’s everyday frustrations or struggles by utilizing clever methods you might not have considered before.
5 Life Hacks to Keep You Healthy, Organized and Safe
As you grow older, there’s no denying that some things might not be as easy as they used to be. Changes in your health, mobility or your memory can make some daily tasks more challenging than they were in your younger years. Additionally, even if you’ve downsized your home, you still want to make sure your living space is comfortable, organized and as safe as possible. This is where those life hacks can come in handy, especially when utilized as organization tips or safety tips all seniors can keep in mind to make your life a little bit easier.
Life Hack #1: Use the Camera on Your Smartphone
These days, almost everyone has a smartphone. In fact, according to the Pew Research Center, 85 percent of adults age 65 or older have a cell phone, with 46 percent of them owning smartphones. Smartphones are equipped with great cameras you can utilize in a variety of ways to make your life easier. For instance, take a photo of your medications or a list of your medications in case you need to show it to your doctor or pharmacist, as well as to remember what you’ve currently been prescribed. Or, when you lend a book, tool or other possession to a friend, take a photo of the person with the item so you remember who borrowed what.
Life Hack #2: Add Grip to Rugs to Avoid a Fall
When a senior falls, he or she doubles their risk of falling again. This is why preventing a fall is so important to your quality of life as you get older. One of the best safety tips for seniors is to secure any area rugs in your home by using grip tape, non-skid liners or even double-sided tape to help keep them from sliding around under your feet.
Life Hack #3: Make Exercise Work for You
Getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day can help you stay healthy and strong while also boosting your immune system, improving your memory and enhancing your mood. However, some older adults can find getting that half hour of exercise difficult due to limited mobility or other health conditions. There are plenty of ways to get your heart rate up on a daily basis, though. Try breaking activity into 10-minute increments throughout the day, for example. Or, strength-training exercises that can be easily modified to be completed while sitting in a chair.
Life Hack #4: Eliminate Time Spent Looking for Items
Did you know that Americans spend nine million hours every single day searching for misplaced belongings? Think of what you could do with all that extra time on your hands! A great life hack to keep you organized is to learn easy ways to find the things you reach for most often. For example, using Velcro strips to attach remote controls to the arm of the couch or your favorite chair. Or, keep a small box on your end table for items like your glasses and the current book you’re reading so you never lose sight of where you’ve left them.
Life Hack #5: Declutter Your Life
Studies show that clutter and stress go hand in hand, and even after downsizing you might be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of “stuff” you own. Apply the “Take 10 Method” to reduce clutter in your home on a monthly basis. Put reminders in your calendar to go into one room in your home once a month and get rid of 10 items. The items can be clothing you no longer wear, magazines you were holding on to but will never read, or broken things you know you’ll never get around to fixing.
Embrace Life and Age Well at Silver Maples of Chelsea
It’s our goal to ensure residents enjoy the highest quality of life possible in our vibrant senior living community near Ann Arbor. You’ll find a wide variety of spacious residential villas, comfortable apartments and peace of mind knowing that should you need a higher level of care, we offer assisted living services, right in the location you already call home.
If you’re interested in learning more about the enriching lifestyle we offer, we invite you to come see Silver Maples for yourself. If you’re still researching your options and aren’t quite ready to visit, we encourage you to get to know us from afar by viewing our videos and reading some of the personal stories and testimonials shared by residents, their families and our staff. Or, feel free to connect with us through social media to get a peek at daily life at Silver Maples. You can even request more information to receive our brochure packet. We’re eager to discuss options when you’re ready, so contact us to learn more.
