How to care for myself while aging (late 70's)?

So many wonderful ideas and the only thing I can add is get up slowly. Sit for a minute before rising. Another idea is to keep crackers and a juice box on your nightstand. Dizziness may be related to sugar issues. You may feel more steady having a light snack before getting up in the morning.

Do get dizziness evaluated by the doctor to account for medications, dehydration, hypostatic positional dizziness, low blood pressure etc. When nothing obvious is found, dizziness is sometimes due to "misplaced otoliths" in the inner ear. (Look up BPPV-Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo). There are a number of treatments for BPPV. I am unable to do the more formal "Epley Maneuver," but my PCP gave me some simple head movements (vestibular exercises) to do morning and evening, and that is enough to keep my own dizziness at bay.

I have a shower chair I can use if I feel weak or dizzy, but most of the time it serves as a "shelf" for my shampoo and soap. I just leave it in the shower.

When I am not feeling dizzy, I often forget my vestibular exercises, so thanks for reminding me to do them today. I am also in my late 70's and living alone, so I understand your awareness of problem areas.

Have you checked with your doctor to see why you are dizzy? It isn't natural.

I am 86 and hubby 88. So here is some ideas.

Exercise! keep your strength up. This includes lifting weights.
Have grab bars all over the bathroom.
Have a place at eye level to store shampoo and stuff. So you don't bend over and straighten up.
When the time comes, use a shower chair.
Don't be too proud to use cane, walker, rollator, whatever. (I have a real problem with this).
I am not there yet, but I have a box for my rollator that I can put dirty clothes in when I take them to the washing machine.
Get a personal safety device (help I have fallen down and can't get up). You can wear it in the shower.
If you try to cut corners and hurry, Remember, do you want some good looking firefighter seeing you buck naked? So, take your time.
I am sure others have some very good ideas.

You probably should get one of those medical alert services with bracelets or necklaces (like one that can be worn 24/7 and waterproof.)

Imho, please ask your doctor why you are having bouts of some dizziness. I, too, recently suffered from this and knew the reason immediately. My ear specialist worked within my ear far too deep and caused vertigo. Please do not let yourself have a fall event. Also, a medical alert bracelet/necklace may be advisable for you. Prayers sent and bless you for being proactive inlieu of reactive regarding your health.

Check out the dizziness with your doctor. Could be allergies/ear issues, medicines you take, or something else. You certainly don't want to fall in the shower or anywhere else.

Get yourself an alert button and get in the habit of wearing it every single day with recharge unit next to bed so it is near you as you sleep. I highly recommend Great Call 5star unit. You can go anywhere with it on. Your family could look online to see where you are if you aren't answering the phone. If you fall or need any kind of help AT ALL, they answer very quickly when you push the button. You can get the unit at Walmart, online, etc. If you happen to fall, you can get help right away. Too many people fall and lay on a cold floor for long time and their chance of recovery goes down the longer they lay there.

You and the friend can help each other by calling several times a day to make sure things are ok. AM call at usual wake up time, maybe around lunch, and for sure at bed time to let each other know you've made it to bedroom and ready for bed. I always did am and pm with my mom to be sure things were ok. And I got her the alert button.

Shower is wet, creates even more fall risk than other rooms in the house. Get a shower bench that extends over edge of tub a little. You sit from outside and then put feet over edge of tub to get in. Safer than a bath chair where you have to step in to sit down - more risk of a slip. Later on, you might consider changing a bathtub out for a shower stall only to eliminate trying to get legs over a tub edge.

If you have trouble getting around - get the walker/rollator w/seat Don't be a stubborn old fool who doesn't want people to think they are 'disabled'. Get over it. When you fall and break something, they won't think you're disabled - they'll know you are. And don't limit getting out of the house because you know you can't walk as far as you used to when a rollator could afford you the ability to get around, sit a while, and roll again. Avoiding using things to keep you moving is a crazy sort of vanity.

If you've been one of those people who climbs on the roof to clean the gutters - it's time to stop. (I could write a book on things my grandmother's neighbors would tell us she was doing). You may well be able to climb the ladder or drag the hose up there with you, but there may come a day that you come down the ladder much faster than you went up. Instead of proving to the world you can still do it, prove to them that you plan to avoid falls so you can live longer with all your bones intact.

If you aren't doing any kind of strength exercises - start. If you're going to hang around into old(er) age, you might as well do it in the strongest body you can build. Have fun doing whatever it is you enjoy doing. And, my biggest suggestion is get a pet! Even an older senior dog who has been dumped in a shelter would appreciate a little kindness in the years they have left.

I have nothing to add except maybe if your family members are willing you can have a camera in your home (like the baby cams) and they can check up on you with their phones. You may feel this is an invasion of your privacy though so I just reinforce a medic alert that you can wear in a shower, shower bars etc.

Doctors are often too aggressive in prescribing meds for older people for hypertension or diabetes. Ask your doctor if that could be contributing to your dizziness. It is unrealistic, IMO, for the medical profession to try to get an older person's numbers in the range of what is considered normal for a young adult. It does more harm than good.

For dizziness try vit 12 a fast dissolve or even B-12 shots are found to help. Older folks do not absorb B-12 in their stomach. I have some that comes in a spray. Ask your doc. Also do anything furniture wise that can make you life safer.

Winniebe, After reading everyones responses I agree to see your Doctor regarding the dizziness. While you are there mention your concerns about starting to worry about showering alone and growing older "gracefully". Express your fears to the Doctor. You are both over 65 and I'm sure have medicare or medicaid. These services were put in place to help the over 65 crowd. Tell the Doctor you do not feel steady on your feet and would like some physical therapy, this will open up a case for you and you will be evaluated. First a nurse comes to the house and makes sure you are safe if she feels you need a raised toilet seat she will order it and medicare/medicaid will pay for it that also goes for a shower chair, walker, cane and anything else she feels you need to make living at your home easier for you. Physical therapy comes in and does some exercise with probably for only 5-10 sessions depends on the individual. You may also qualify for an aid two to 3 times a week for a couple of hours. If you want you can have them stay near the bathroom so you have peace of mind while you shower they do not have to be in there watching you. I take care of 3 oldsters.. haha 94,93, and 82. Two of them have a 24/7 aid the 93 yr old lives alone. The 93 yr old wears a medical alert device everyone talked about on this forum I think its a great idea. She too has a friend and they call each other every morning to make sure each one of them is still alive.. her words not mine...She still has a good mind and her decision making is still good. If you feel that you are forgetting things then please tell the doctor that too and same with your friend. As far as the pet issue... its a lot of work taking care of a dog but it was suggested by people here because its unconditional love its company. The 93 yr old watches a neighbors dog for a few hrs a week and she loves it.. it has become her baby lol she rubs his belly and she talks about him to me for hours. Maybe you can dog sit for an older dog for a few hrs for a neighbor, just a suggestion. As for the shower... I feel twice a week is fine unless their is some incontinence, then of course more cleaning is needed. You can just shower your body one day and they do hair over the sink the next day if doing it all at once is too tiring. When my mother told me she was afraid to be alone in the house that is when I got an aid for her. She is 82 with moderate memory decline. I took all the valuables out of the house so she wouldn't worry that she was being robbed when she was in shower. I am telling you all this because getting help now on your terms is better than falling, breaking a hip and then getting anyone to help because you have no choice. You said yourself "Things are not going to get better" so plan for it. I wish you and you friend all the best.

I will be 87 with no family for years and I became disabled. It was hell for me but I coped by thinking out of the box and looking to make sure that my affairs were l00% in perfect order (updated every six months). I checked out every possible option for all kinds of situations to be prepared and I did succeed. It is not easy but you have to face the fact that if you are alone, YOU are the one who must find a way to take care of yourself. No one else will do it unless you are lucky. If possible, get some possible "friends" in place to step in if things happen. Also talk to the Office on Aging who can help. I hate being all alone but I am managing just fine 99.9% of the time. I REFUSE TO GIVE UP.

I'm in a situation similar to yours. 80 yrs old and living alone. Get yourself a shower chair...one with arms. Best invention yet! You can shower standing or sitting. If dizzy standing, simply sit to complete shower. At our age, dizziness in the shower is common. Not always a medical problem. See a doctor if dizziness is frequent under other conditions.
Make sure you have sturdy grab bars to hang on to getting in and out of shower. Any hardware store has them and any handyman can install them. Make sure your living area is free of hazards. Safety is THE most important concern if you plan to continue living independently.

I am an educator with a background in neuroscience and cognitive psychology. I have been my 89yo mother's support to age in her home near me, and have supported other aging family members. I have also written education grants to support aging in place.

Here is my advice (though not everyone folows it):
1. Make the changes you WILL need BEFORE you need it. Get a fall detection button with GPS to work wherever you are. Renovate your bathroom to have a zero entry shower. Be mindful that appliances grow old and break and can be expensive to replace and challenging to relearn - plan ahead for these changes, too.

2. Talk with your family and set up a team of support. Make sure you have medical directives clear. Assign financial and medical powers of attorney. Agree on a support team including: a family practice attorney to keep your legal documents up to date, a CPA to do your taxes, and a Fanancial Advisor/fiduciary to manage investments. Ensure your Geriatric Dr and local hospital have the papers they need on file.

3. Learn about the technology that can help your family support you. These things may include:
Smart doorbells that someone in any location can monitor and answer.
Dusk to dawn lightbulbs inside and out to keep your home well lit for your safety and security.
An Alexa device that can be programmed to remind you of medication, and calendar your events.
A tracker on your phone so it (or you) can be found if you are lost.
Smoke alarms - new standards have a 10 year life without changing the battery, and can even talk to each other so if an alarm goes off in one part of the house (like the basement) the smoke alarm on the 2nd floor goes off to tell you there's a problem.

Be mindful that your technology can and should be integrated into your aging plan to turn over to a family member to manage. For example, I manage my mom's calendar which is connected to both my phone, her phone, and her alexa. She gets reminders before appointments or activities which really helps her memory. I also manage her smart thermostat so I can adjust the temperature from my phone if she can't do it herself, and I can see if the system is running inefficiently or needs the filter changed.

4. In my experience, it can be difficult for people to age in the home they have lived in for years. Suburbs that may have been great to raise a family may not have the medical care needed for older people, and communities of young working families can be very isolating during the day when no one is home in the neighborhood.
Make a plan for where you can age in place with safety, health and social factors all in mind. Plan this with your family so they know what you want and when you want it. Be mindful that age really is just a number and health can change rapidly. So, when to make a change cannot be determined by a number, but by physical and cogntive abilities. This is one reason to use a Geriatric Specialist for primary care because they are very skilled at assessing more than just basic physical health.

5. Do not make a plan to rely on paid care givers. House keepers, gardeners, hair stylists, yes. But, I trust the people who provide these services to my mom, and I still make sure they see me and know I am watching over her. I have personally witnessed family members be conned by that "oh so friendly" chuch member or "handyman" next door neighbor. Even good in-home caregivers get sick or need time off, so relying on them cannot be a long-term plan. Be mindful that in home care becomes very expensive and is not the cost savings people first think it is.

6. Consider that your quality of life is most important. I have had family members refuse to leave their home at the expense of their safety, security, and physical/mental/emotional health. A home does not make someone happy. Being around people, feeling safe and secure, living as healthily as possible does make people happy.