With the advancement of healthcare, our senior citizens over the age of 65 years have been growing at an astronomical rate. People live longer and want to live happy, healthier, and more prosperous lives. If you compare recent trends, you’ll see that more people live past 65 than ever before. Be that as it may, this stage can lead to a loss in the quality of their lives. This is why it is essential that you encourage your senior to live their best lives possible. Here are some tips to improve your seniors’ quality of life:
Make Them Feel Needed
Nothing beats the feeling of making your senior feel wanted and appreciated. Remind them that they are here for a reason. Encourage them to have goals and aspirations so that they see that there is more to life than just breathing. Many elderly individuals often worry that they are a burden to their family members. To avoid this, tell them every day how loved and appreciated they are. Encourage them to have relationships with those they love and care about, involve them in day-to-day and vital decisions, or enjoy their presence with a good movie or board game.
Ensure Proper Nutrition
It is not uncommon for vitamin deficiencies to occur in old age. Also, seniors can be afflicted with other ailments such as heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, and osteoporosis. But these can be avoided with a balanced, nutritious diet. The right intake of food at proper intervals can help seniors stay healthy and feel well. Also, ensure that they receive adequate blood work and medical care to keep ailments away and existing conditions under control.
Do Physical Exercise
It is essential that seniors indulge in regular physical activities. Something as simple as walking for a specified period or doing free-hand exercises can effectively boost energy levels. Exercise keeps blood flowing to the brain and keeps the mind active. It also lessens anxiety and depression as well as improves the immune system and ensures the overall well-being of your senior. So make sure they’re busy and having fun!
Engage in Mental Activity
Mental stimulation is necessary for all ages, even more so for the elderly. Activities such as having a healthy conversation, playing board games, reading, and storytelling improve cognitive functioning. This, in turn, sharpens the mind, optimizing the overall health of the aging person.
Take Precaution to Avoid Falls
With the advance in years, the body becomes more vulnerable to falls. You want to avoid falls for your dear ones by removing obstacles in their path. Use good night-lights in bathrooms and hallways so they can see where they’re going. Encourage them to wear supportive shoes as this can decrease the risk of falling.
Go for Regular Health Checkups
Seniors need to go for dental, vision, and hearing checkups from time to time. Often, there is a change in vision, such as the inability to focus on small objects and read the small print. Hearing and vision loss, gingivitis, and tooth decay are also very common. However, regular checkups can help counter these drawbacks timely and effectively so that they do not hamper the quality of your senior’s daily life.
At times, it can become difficult to give due time and attention to your senior. However, there are many home health care agencies like the Nurses’ Guild to share your responsibility. Hiring a caregiver who is familiar with your senior’s condition and can monitor their day-to-day activity can give you relief. After all, the elderly gave their best years to us, and now it’s our turn to return the favor.
Source Links:
https://www.lifehack.org/433136/7-ways-to-improve-quality-of-life-for-seniors
https://dailycaring.com/5-ways-to-improve-quality-of-life-for-seniors/
https://www.parentgiving.com/elder-care/10-essential-health-tips-for-seniors/