Home Alone Longer

[mrdreamjeans]

Have you ever tried to walk through your house with the lights off? Or with your eyes closed? It occurred to me if I could, I could certainly remain in my home alone longer as I age. I tested myself two nights ago on the main floor. I moved from room to room in the dark without hitting furniture, running into walls or tripping over area rugs. It seems I have a good sense of my space and relative distances.

In an old episode of "Golden Girls", Rose's sister played by Polly Holiday became newly blind. After making Rose's life miserable, Holiday's character sought training and learned how to be more independent without her eye sight. One of the tips I learned from that TV episode was to count paces ... In my case, 14 steps from my bedroom to the bathroom, 20 steps from my bedroom to the kitchen. Stove, microwave oven and fridge on the right, but pantry first; breakfast table on a hard left, elude the decorative shelf at head level. On the back wall of the kitchen, double kitchen sink in the middle of the counter. Don't slip on the runner in front of the sink. It constantly slides on the hardwood floors and I fell once when I was ill.

I don't think I can safely do the stairs in my house with my eyes closed. But ... I do know it's 12 steps down to the finished basement and the handrail is on the right. Going upstairs is 14 steps; handrail on the left. The steps to the basement are steeper and shallower than those going upstairs. I believe the hardest part of changing levels in my home without eyesight would be going down stairs no matter the level.

I have no ambulatory issues as yet; my eye sight is fine; but, I am careful. My balance isn't as sure as it used to be with my eyes closed. I find it more challenging to stand on one leg. But, if I pay attention now, perhaps I can develop coping skills to avoid or postpone leaving my home behind for a future in assisted living or long term care. Regardless, it's a good thing to develop all of our senses to the fullest. I'm aware this entire post is built on random assumptions, but not to be scorned. Having worked in long term care with seniors and with the disabled, I don't take anything for granted. I will do what it takes to live at home alone longer.