Living Alone Tips
As we get older, it’s often the case that we find ourselves enjoying our own company on a more regular basis. However, living alone doesn’t have to be a bad thing. In fact, whilst some are understandably hesitant at the idea (particularly if you’ve lived with someone else for a long time), many report living alone to be completely liberating. If you’re unsure on whether you like the idea, why not read the following living alone tips to make the idea less daunting.
1. Embrace community
One of the most important living alone tips we can give is to stay connected to those around you. Not only your friends and family, which is, of course, important, but the people who are closest to you in terms of distance. Getting to know your neighbours is great for socialising but also for safety when living alone.
Another great idea is to socialise as part of a new club or group. Book groups, walking groups, and even just local community evenings are great ways to meet new people and make new friends.
2. Adapt your home
It would be wise to ensure that your home is secure, safe, and easy to move around by yourself. This may mean installing handrails on the walls, a stair lift, or changes to help you in the bathroom, like a wet room. For extra security you can add outdoor lights that will activate when someone walks towards it.
3. Learn to love your own company
Peace and quiet can seem scary if you’re not used to it. Whether you’ve lived in a busy household filled with noise, or just the comforting sound of another, silence can be overwhelming. However, once you learn to embrace the peace and quiet, you might find you actually quite enjoy it. Try doing some breathing exercises or meditation in your spare time. Take advantage of nobody being able to interrupt you whilst you read that book you’ve been eyeing. You could even just sit and have a quiet cup of tea.
4. Purchase a Lifeline
Many people will offer up crucial living alone tips surrounding your wellbeing. Friends and family may encourage you to buy a personal alarm. Personal alarms are a good option for elderly people living alone at home. In case you need help urgently, your personal alarm can be pressed and you will get through to a comforting voice to talk through your needs. They will then call either a loved one or the emergency services, depending on the situation.
Many worry that personal alarms will ruin their independence. However, this is not the case. In fact, a personal alarm allows you to maintain your independence whilst living at home. It’s just a bit of added security for your peace of mind.
5. Get organised
It’s helpful to keep a record of all medications you are on and notes of your medical illnesses. Emergency services and other people coming to help you may need to read this if you are unable to explain. You could do this on a well displayed whiteboard, or through a purchased medication reminder. To help you keep track of your medication, you could even consider a pill dispenser.
6. Test alarms frequently
We advise that you test your LifeConnect24 Lifeline Alarm frequently so that you can check we can hear you and you can hear us. It’s also crucial that you check your fire alarms in the house every week if possible. This is possibly the simplest of the living alone tips we can give, yet it’s incredibly important. If you are unable to do this by yourself ask a neighbour, family member, or friend to help. You can also get a free Home Fire Risk Assessment to take you through fire safety in your home.
7. Call your family and friends
It can often be the case that those living alone won’t reach out to their loved ones, for fear of annoying them. This shouldn’t be the case. One of the biggest living alone tips we could give is to make use of friends and family. Keep in touch whenever you can – you won’t be bothering them.
8. Use a Keysafe
A keysafe will allow someone to get to you in the case of an emergency or you are unable to get to the door. Once you have a keysafe you can give the code to people close to you so they can access a key to get in if necessary. It can also be used by carers and emergency services. To find out more view our range of keysafes or call us on 0800 030 8999.
If you live alone, and have some more great tips for others in your situation, be sure to let us know in the comments below.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on 19th July 2023 to reflect current information.
I found this information very interesting even though I have done everything you mentioned I also have a dog but I can not take him for walks he comes in the garden with me and we play ball in my long passage and in the living room so he does get some fun from this, he is a great friend to me and he follows me every where and comes in the car which he loves so if you are looney maybe think of a dog or cat great to have around take care