How to Prepare for Your Winter Years
Preparing for your winter years isn’t about doom, gloom or knitting yourself into a blanket cocoon. Although honestly, that doesn’t sound terrible. It’s about planning ahead so that life stays comfortable, joyful and, dare we say, delightfully, low stress.
Getting old is reserved for the most privileged, which means that if you are in a place of life where you can plan for your winter years and still have all your faculties about you, you’re in a good spot. For many people, that planning will include retirement planning and talking to a home care agency long before you actually need one. It’s like prepping your house before the winter hits. You do it early, then in the middle of a Blizzard. You also will be able to save your family an awful lot of trouble if you’ve made all the preparations for things that you want so that they don’t have to make those decisions for you.
Admit that you’re not immortal.
To start prepping for your winter years, you have to admit that there is an end to your life. You might still feel 25 in your brain, even if your knees now sound like a haunted house. But embracing the fact that aging requires preparation is the first step to take. Don’t see it as giving up. You see it as leveling up. You are entering your wise Mystic era.
Get your health team in order.
From the home care agency you liaise with to the doctor, it shouldn’t be someone you see every four years when something is making a weird noise. You need to assemble a squad around you of a primary doctor, eye doctor, dentist and any specialists that you may need. Regular check ups help you to stay ahead of health surprises. Some of those health surprises like to turn up uninvited. But this isn’t about inviting relatives during the holidays. This is about you.
Make your home safe and cosy.
Look around your house.Have you noticed any tripping hazards? Any steps that feel like Mount Everest? Are there lights that are so dim that you could host a seance? Now is the time to tackle those issues before they tackle you. Add railings, better lighting, non-slip rugs and maybe a few well placed grab bars. Make your future self walk in and say ‘ah yes this is luxury ‘and don’t forget comfort. Winter years should feel warm and welcoming, not old and cluttered.
Future proof your independence.
Preparing for aging isn’t just about your health, but about keeping your freedom. Medication reminders, smart home devices, emergency alert pendants and mobility aids that don’t look like they’re from a 1970s hospital can all help. These are the tech and tools that support independent living. And these gadgets aren’t a side of weakness, they’re your power ups.
Preparing for your winter years doesn’t mean that you’re old. It means that you’re smart. A little planning now leads to a future filled with comfort, safety, and security. When you embrace your winter years with confidence, they won’t feel chilly at all.
