Life advice from my grandparents

The older we get, the more we start to think about our old age. We worry about how we will manage, what life will be like, where we will live. Growing up, I was lucky to have three sets of grandparents who all remained pretty fit and active right into their old age. Who all managed to stay living independently, and had a good quality of life. I’m hopeful that I can enjoy the same – I would hate to lose my independence when I am old.

They inspired me to do some research on our family history, looking back at their parents and grandparents, at all those who came before us. It can be daunting knowing where to start, but looking at obituaries can help you fill in some gaps  – go to website to start your search!

Seeing them all living by themselves, also gave me a good insight into how they adapted their lives and homes to fit with what they could manage in their old age. Rather than seeing defeat in all of the things that they could no longer do, or in the fact that certain aspects of their homes had to be changed, they rolled with it, made the necessary changes and embraced all that life still had to offer them.

Reaching old age doesn’t mean that we have to move into a care home, give up our independence or stop living life. My grandparents all accepted that they needed a little more help than before, that there were certain things they couldn’t do, and that things had to change BUT they refused to give up on life. They all still lived full, happy lives and they are a huge inspiration to me.

Here are a few things that they taught me:

~ Embrace life

The biggest lesson that I learned was to always embrace what life has to offer. To see the good in where we are now, rather than wishing things were as they used to be. That every stage of life can be wonderful, if we enjoy it for what it is.

~ Change can be good

When my Dad’s mum grew older, and found herself widowed and living alone, she downsized to a bungalow from the farmhouse she’d raised her family in. Taking out the stairs and living on one level meant that it was easier for her to get about as she grew older. She embraced the fact that while she couldn’t stay in the house she’d lived in for years, she could still live alone and take care of herself.

~ It’s OK to accept help

For a fiercely independent lady, my Grandma eventually accepted that in some areas she needed help. As she got older and getting to the shops was too much of a mission for her, she accepted help from friends and family to collect her groceries for her.

~ Adapt your house to suit you

As we get older, our needs change and watching my grandparents adapt their houses to suit their current needs made me see how embracing change rather than fighting it can actually enrich our lives. From installing stair lifts, or a seat in the shower, small changes can make a huge difference. Here are some more fantastic household hacks for older people.

~ Keep doing what you love

My Grandma loved to bake and have her family over. And she carried on doing that well into her 80s. I remember many a Saturday afternoon, with far too many family members crowded into her living room, eating in sittings as only a few of us could fit in the kitchen at a time, and enjoying the homemade cakes she loved to make us {I still haven’t found a millionaires shortbread to rival hers}

~ It’s all about the gadgets

Whether you need help getting jars open, getting your shoes or socks on, or using the remote control, there is a gadget to help. One of my grandads used to love his gadgets and was always excited to show me the latest thing that he had discovered to make his life a little easier.

~ Don’t be isolated

One important lesson that I learned from my grandparents was to not be isolated. For as long as they could, they all still enjoyed socialising. They got out to Church, they went on organised coach trips, even just getting out for a coffee and cake kept them from sitting home alone for days on end.

What life advice did your grandparents give you?