Practical, research-based guidance for aging well.
A useful starting place for older adults and families. These tips draw from guidance issued by trusted public agencies, including the National Institute on Aging, CDC, USDA, Administration for Community Living and Federal Trade Commission.
Make care easier to manage.
Regular checkups and recommended screenings can help identify concerns early. Keep one current list of prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and supplements, and bring it to every visit. Write down questions before appointments and record the next steps afterward.
- Schedule routine checkups and needed specialist visits.
- Ask a doctor or pharmacist which vaccines are appropriate and current for you.
- Report new pain, symptoms, falls or changes in function promptly.
- Ask a prescribing clinician or pharmacist to review whether each medication is still needed and how it should be taken.
- Bring personal goals and preferences into care decisions.
Keep every medicine organized and understood.
Prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, vitamins and supplements can interact or cause unexpected side effects. Keep one accurate list and review it regularly with a doctor or pharmacist—especially after a hospital stay, a new prescription or a change in symptoms.
- List each medicine’s name, dose, purpose, schedule and prescribing clinician.
- Use one pharmacy when possible so the pharmacist can help check for interactions.
- Ask what to do about a missed dose, possible side effects and foods or drinks to avoid.
- Use a pill organizer, written chart or reminder only after a pharmacist confirms the schedule.
- Do not crush, split, stop or change a medicine unless a doctor or pharmacist says it is safe.
- Store medicines securely and ask a pharmacist how to dispose of expired or unused products.
Protect independence one routine at a time.
Healthy aging is not one big project. It is a set of repeatable habits: regular care, safe movement, nourishing food, adequate rest, meaningful connection and attention to changes.
- Keep walkways clear, use good lighting and ask a qualified professional to evaluate fall concerns.
- Support consistent sleep and daily routines.
- Schedule hearing, vision and dental care as recommended.
- Notice changes in memory, mood, appetite, mobility or daily function.
- Ask for help before a manageable concern becomes a crisis.
Plan for the home you want to keep enjoying.
Aging in place works best when planning starts before support is urgently needed. Think through the home, everyday tasks, nearby help, costs and how changing needs might affect routines over time.
- Walk through the home room by room and note repairs, lighting, loose rugs, stairs and commonly used items that are hard to reach.
- List the household tasks that are easy now, the ones that are becoming difficult and who could help.
- Learn about meal, housekeeping, yard, repair and companionship resources in your community.
- Discuss preferences with family or trusted friends before a sudden change forces quick decisions.
- Revisit the plan periodically as needs, finances and the home change.
Keep everyday life within reach.
Reliable transportation supports appointments, groceries, social activities, errands and independence. It helps to compare several options before a ride is urgently needed.
- List recurring destinations and how often rides are needed.
- Compare public transit, paratransit, volunteer-driver programs, senior transportation, taxis and ride services available locally.
- Ask about eligibility, service areas, advance reservations, accessibility, escorts and total cost.
- Keep a backup option for cancellations, bad weather or a last-minute change.
- Use the Eldercare Locator to find your local Area Agency on Aging and community transportation resources.
Enjoy companionship safely.
Pets can offer companionship and more opportunities for activity and social connection. They also require planning for daily care, veterinary expenses and safe handling—especially for adults 65 and older, who may be more vulnerable to illnesses animals can carry.
- Choose a pet whose size, activity level and care needs fit your life.
- Wash hands after feeding, handling waste or cleaning pet equipment.
- Keep veterinary care, vaccinations and parasite prevention current.
- Reduce trip hazards from leashes, bowls, toys and pets underfoot.
- Create a backup plan for feeding, walking and veterinary visits.
Choose foods that support common needs as you age.
Older adults often need plenty of nutrients even when calorie needs are lower. Food does not replace medical treatment, but a balanced eating pattern can support muscle, bones, digestion, hydration and heart health.
- For muscle strength: Include protein throughout the day from foods such as eggs, fish, poultry, yogurt, beans, lentils, tofu or fortified soy products.
- For constipation: Add fiber gradually with oatmeal, beans, whole grains, berries, pears and vegetables, and drink enough fluid for the fiber to work well.
- For bone health: Choose calcium-rich foods such as dairy, fortified soy beverages, canned salmon with bones and certain leafy greens; ask a clinician whether vitamin D or a supplement is appropriate.
- For heart health or high blood pressure: Emphasize vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, fish and unsalted nuts while limiting highly processed foods and excess sodium.
- For steadier blood sugar: Pair high-fiber carbohydrates with protein and non-starchy vegetables, and follow an individualized plan from a clinician or registered dietitian.
- For hydration: Drink fluids regularly unless a clinician has prescribed a fluid restriction; thirst may be less noticeable with age.
Move for strength, balance and confidence.
Current CDC guidance for adults 65 and older includes aerobic activity, muscle strengthening and balance work. The general target is at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week, strength work on at least two days, plus balance activities.
If you cannot meet the full recommendation, be as active as your abilities and health conditions allow—some movement is better than none. Ask a healthcare professional about what is safe for you, especially after an illness, injury or long period of inactivity.
- Break activity into smaller sessions when needed.
- Try walking, water exercise, dancing or cycling for aerobic movement.
- Use resistance bands, light weights or body-weight movements for strength.
- Practice balance with appropriate support nearby.
- Choose activities you enjoy enough to repeat.
Pause before you click, pay or share.
Scammers often create urgency, fear or secrecy and may impersonate a business, bank, government agency or loved one. Taking time to verify a request through a trusted channel can prevent costly mistakes.
- Do not send money, buy gift cards or move funds because of an unexpected call, text, email or computer alert.
- Never share a password or verification code with someone who contacts you.
- Do not use the phone number or link in a suspicious message; contact the organization through a number or website you already trust.
- Talk with a trusted person before responding to an urgent or unusual request.
- Report suspected fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and contact the relevant bank or company promptly.
Put your wishes in writing before they are needed.
Advance planning gives you time to choose who should speak for you, explain the care you would want and organize how personal and financial matters should be handled. These documents serve different purposes, and South Carolina requirements matter.
- A health care power of attorney names a trusted person to make healthcare decisions if you cannot communicate for yourself.
- A living will records certain wishes about life-sustaining treatment when the legal conditions stated in the document apply.
- A durable financial power of attorney may authorize someone to handle specified financial or property matters during your lifetime.
- A will explains how your estate should be handled after death; it is different from a living will.
- Talk with the people you name, give appropriate copies to them and your healthcare providers, and keep originals where trusted people can find them.
- Review your choices after a major diagnosis, marriage or divorce, a move, a death in the family or another significant life change.
Make important information easier to find.
Organized records make everyday coordination easier and can reduce confusion during a move, an emergency or a change in support. Keep information current, secure and accessible to the people you authorize.
- Create a list of important contacts, accounts, insurance policies and service providers.
- Record where key documents are stored without placing passwords or sensitive details in an unsecured list.
- Keep copies of identification, insurance information and household records in a secure location.
- Ask an appropriate legal or financial professional about documents and decisions that require professional guidance.
- Tell a trusted person how to locate essential information if you cannot access it yourself.
Knowing what helps is only the beginning.
The Alongside team can build the plan, find resources, schedule appointments and coordinate the practical details.
Important: This page provides general educational information, not individualized medical advice or a clinical safety assessment. Alongside does not evaluate medications, diagnose conditions or make treatment recommendations. Ask an appropriately licensed professional about your health, medications, diet, exercise and safety.
Connection is part of health.
Strong social connections support mental and physical health. Meaningful relationships can create belonging, reduce loneliness and help people cope with stress and life changes.