According to the National Institutes of Health, many seniors today report feeling satisfied with their lives. This is certainly a good thing, but there are many factors that can affect an older adult’s outlook on life, which is why some seniors need a gentle reminder about ways they can remain positive while aging. Here are seven tips for helping aging adults stay positive in their senior years.
1. Keep a Journal
Keeping a journal gives seniors an outlet for their feelings without having to worry about being judged. A journal can also be used to set life goals and keep track of efforts to accomplish those goals.
2. Build & Maintain Positive Relationships
Being around generally happy people can quickly shift a senior’s mood if he or she is feeling a bit stressed. Grandchildren tend to be a great source of positivity and happiness for seniors, but the same thing can be said of family members, friends, and neighbors with sunny dispositions.
Home care service agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Home Care Assistance, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. We offer a revolutionary program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy.
3. Share Positive News
Frequently asking variations of questions like “What’s new with you today?” can be a good way to encourage a senior to share positive news with you. Even sharing seemingly minor things like having had a good physical therapy session or seeing early signs of a favorite plant blooming can make older adults feel good if they know someone cares enough to ask.
4. Avoid Too Much Negative Input
Seniors don’t have to shut themselves off from the world, but getting a steady influx of negative input, whether it’s from the news or family members who tend to routinely complain about things, can impact mood in a way that’s not healthy. Also, when providing care for an aging loved one, avoid negative words and feelings as much as possible.
5. Exercise Regularly
Exercise is an excellent mood booster because physical activity increases the production of hormones called endorphins that have natural mood-enhancing properties. Exercise, whether it involves daily walks, yoga, water-based activities, or low-impact aerobic workouts, can further keep seniors positive by making muscles stronger, increasing mobility, and mitigating an assortment of health-related risks.
If you usually help your loved one exercise but need a break now and then, consider having a professional caregiver step in on occasion. Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Fair Oaks, CA, Home Care Assistance can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home.
6. Join Clubs or Groups
There are plenty of clubs and groups, both online and in person, that cater to the interests of seniors. Being part of groups with like-minded older adults who share similar interests is a wonderful way to remain positive. Being involved with groups also gives aging adults a clear sense of purpose and belonging as well as something to look forward to, especially if regular group-based activities are planned.
7. Make Healthy Food Choices
Older bodies and brains need a steady supply of nutrients to remain healthy. Eating nutrient-rich foods on a regular basis can also help seniors remain positive. For example, salmon, tuna, and other foods containing high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids have natural mood-enhancing properties. According to Healthline.com, other healthy foods that can positively affect mood include:
- Dark chocolate in moderation
- Yogurt, kefir, and other fermented foods
- Bananas and berries
- Nuts, seeds, and oats
Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of elder care. Fair Oaks families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia. Reach out to us at Home Care Assistance if you need compassionate professional care for your loved one. Call one of our friendly Care Managers today at (916) 485-4663.