Getting older doesn’t always have to mean being unhealthy. Today, older adults can take preventative steps to maintain their overall health and abilities no matter what decade they enter. While genetics do play a role in how well a person ages, seniors can use these seven secrets to healthy aging that will have them feeling great in the retirement years.
1. Find a Volunteer Position
Your aging loved one may have happily turned in his or her timecard upon retirement, or this might have been done with greater reluctance. Either way, using the extra time to contribute to a cause provides a sense of purpose. Volunteer positions can also be as simple as sitting at home and making phone calls, or your loved one could put in a part-time day at a local organization. Knowing someone needs his or her help is great motivation for your parent to stay healthy.
If your loved one needs transportation to participate in volunteering activities, consider hiring an at-home caregiver. Although it may be challenging to find reliable, highly rated homecare, you can turn to Home Care Assistance. Our respite and live-in caregivers are expertly trained to assist seniors with a wide array of important tasks, including cooking, bathing, light housekeeping, and exercise.
2. Play with the Grandkids
This secret may not require too much prodding to get your loved one excited about. While it may just seem like fun, all of that play time is working wonders for his or her health. Playing board games and puzzles increases brain activity, and a quick game of catch can keep the reflexes strong.
3. Try a New Food Each Week
A healthy diet doesn’t mean having to eat a bowl of lettuce each day. Instead, there’s an amazing array of fruits and vegetables you can add to your loved one’s diet. Consider serving at least one new food each week, and make it a point to choose ones that are listed among the superfoods. Serve some acai or kale and get ready to see your loved one enjoy eating for better health.
4. Get Regular Checkups
Once your loved one is already visiting the doctor for other health reasons, it’s easy to decide to skip a basic physical. However, this is when minor changes in health can be caught before they worsen. If your loved one needs help going to checkups, arrange for transportation assistance that ensures he or she doesn’t have an excuse to skip them.
Lincoln elder care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.
5. Start a Long-Term Project
There’s no time like the present for your loved one to start doing something he or she has always wanted to try. Even people in their 90s could have more than a decade left to enjoy their lives, and many things can be accomplished in these years. Encourage your loved one to start a memoir or begin recording music. Your loved one may find having something to look forward to each day promotes a positive mindset that influences his or her health.
6. Ask for Help
People sometimes think the healthiest adults do everything for themselves. However, nothing could be further from the truth. The healthiest seniors know when to delegate. Seniors should ask someone else to climb a ladder to change the light bulbs or arrange for a professional to mop the bathroom. Not only has your loved one earned the right to a little help, but asking for it can also prevent injuries.
7. Make Small Changes
If getting older has made your loved one care more about his or her health, there’s no need to go overboard. Instead, incorporate small changes each week that all add up to a healthier mind and body. Your loved one can try a short walk after dinner or skip that extra alcoholic beverage. Setting small goals makes them more achievable, and your loved one can build on each success to find greater health and happiness.
Maintaining good health is crucial for seniors who want to remain independent while aging in place. Some seniors only require help with a few daily tasks so they can maintain their independence. However, those living with serious illnesses may need more extensive assistance. Luckily, there is professional live-in care Lincoln, CA, seniors can rely on. Home can be a safer and more comfortable place for your loved one to live with the help of an expertly trained and dedicated live-in caregiver. Reach out to us at Home Care Assistance if you need compassionate professional care for your loved one. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (916) 226-3737 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.