Simple tips to help Aussie seniors stay living independently at home for longer

For many seniors living independently, everyday tasks like laundry, cooking, or gardening can become more challenging.

Family members often step in when they notice Mum or Dad struggling, but maintaining independence with these small tasks is important for mental and emotional well-being. Losing the ability to handle them on your own can feel like a big shock.

At The Physio Co, we know how vital it is for our elderly clients to hold onto that sense of independence.

Sometimes, it’s the simplest chores – like hanging laundry – that make all the difference. That’s why we’ve come up with easy, practical adjustments to help seniors manage everyday tasks, keeping them active and independent for as long as possible.

Make laundry a breeze

• Hang clothes on hangers straight from the washer: When removing your clothes from the washing machine, give your clothes a quick shake and hang shirts, dresses, tops and pants on coat hangers – then hang these on the line. This reduces the need to reach overhead for a prolonged period pegging clothes on the line – and will make ironing easier!
• Throw out your old, bulky ironing board: Speaking of ironing, investing in a small ironing board that sits on top of your kitchen table or bench will reduce the need to lug a big ironing board out into the hallway. It will also allow you to sit down while ironing so you can enjoy the task!
• Simplify hanging smaller items: Pegging socks and undies can be tedious and tiring. Use coat hangers, lower the clothesline to shoulder height, or try a peg airer to save time and energy. If using an indoor clothes hoist, avoid moving it when full to prevent trips and falls.

Comfort is key in the bedroom

• Rearrange your wardrobe: Keep frequently worn clothes at eye level and store everyday items between chest and waist height. Reserve the harder-to-reach spaces for things you don’t use as often, like formal wear.
• No more fumbling for the lamp switch: If you constantly find yourself twisting over in bed each night looking for the lamp switch, double-sided tape is your new best friend. Stick the lamp switch to the side of your nightstand so you can reach it without bending over, and it’s easily accessible in the dark.
• Getting into bed made easier: If swinging your legs onto the bed is difficult, wrap a long towel around your feet and use it to gently lift your legs up onto the bed.
• No more struggling to get out of bed: Installing handrails by the bed can be a simple yet highly effective way to make getting in and out of bed easier and more comforting for seniors. With handrails in place, the bed becomes a safer and more reassuring space, promoting independence and confidence in daily routines.

Lighten the work in the kitchen

• Create an accessible kitchen: Place regularly used items like mugs, pots, and pans at waist height or on the counter for easy access. Consider setting up a “coffee station” on your bench with everything you need in one place, so you don’t have to bend or twist to enjoy your morning brew.
• Fill the kettle with just what you need: Speaking of coffee, do you always fill the kettle up the whole way despite only filling one or two cups? Create the habit of only filling the kettle with the desired amount of water. This will make it easier to carry, reduce the boil time and reduce the risk of burns.
• Position your microwave wisely: If you’re using the microwave often, place it between waist and chest height to avoid constant bending. This will also make it easier to safely remove hot items without straining or risking burns.
• Tidy up with ease: If your home is anything like ours, the kitchen and specifically the kitchen table or bench is the ‘dumping area’ of the house. Having a small ‘dumping box’ can make tidying up much easier. Instead of lugging around awkwardly shaped items or making endless trips around the house, at the end of the day carry your ‘dumping box’ around the house returning items to where they belong. This will help you feel more organised, reduce the clutter in your home and, even better, help reduce tripping risk.

Lounge around in the lounge room

• Prioritise comfort over fashion: Invest in a chair that suits you and is comfortable for you. We cannot stress enough the importance of having a good-quality, high-back chair or recliner that you can rest in. Gone are the days where you would awkwardly sit in ‘fashionable’ chairs or lounges that provide no support and are so low to the ground that it takes a few goes to get back up. We are not saying get rid of your favourite furniture, but make sure you have a chair about knee height (when you’re standing), has a high back, has arm rests and provides enough support, so you are comfortable but don’t sink into the chair.
• Add a sturdy coffee table: Speaking of relaxing… It’s frustrating when you sit down for afternoon tea and realise you have nowhere to place your cup. Make sure you have a small, sturdy coffee table next to your chair that is high enough (similar height to the arm rest) to place your items on without needing to reach over the armrest.

Enjoy your time in the garden

• Set up a gardening station: Avoid unnecessary bending or kneeling by creating a dedicated gardening station at table height. When potting plants, use the table to complete tasks while standing, minimising time spent kneeling or bending over.
• Keep a gardening chair handy: A lightweight chair is a great tool for the garden. Use it to store tools, take a break, or as support when you need to stand after kneeling.

These are only some of the many ways you can make slight modifications to the way you do things that will make a world of a difference. We would love to hear how you go making these simple changes at home!

 

Reviewed and updated by Leon Dawood, TPC physiotherapist