Many individuals have cast aside their New Year’s resolutions by the end of January, but who says resolutions should only be made at the start of the year? There’s no time like the present to commit to a brand new habit or goal, particularly when it comes to boosting senior health and wellness.
We have six tips you can implement today. Select one to start, or jump right into all of them to attain the most benefit:
- Schedule a physical. Rather than waiting for an injury or illness to contact the doctor, an annual check-up is a perfect method for seniors to stay on top of their own health and potentially prevent issues before they occur.
- Get physical. With the physician’s approval and recommendations in hand, kick off a new exercise routine – together! Working out with a senior you love allows you to motivate one another and act as accountability partners. Commit to adhering to it for a minimum of 21 days, after which it ought to be an ingrained, enjoyable habit you will want to continue.
- Stay connected. Help the senior keep up friendships and contact with friends and family to ward off loneliness and isolation – something we’ve all become too familiar with during the pandemic. Offer transportation for dinner dates or with setting up technology to stay virtually in contact.
- Keep vaccinations up to date. Along with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, pneumonia, seasonal influenza, and shingles vaccines should be up to date. As people age, there is an increased risk for severe effects from these illnesses, so vaccinations become even more essential.
- Don’t forget mental health. A mental health provider can help determine if anxiety, depression, or any other concerns should be addressed, offering both therapeutic tools and medication if needed. Maintaining mental sharpness through brain enrichment activities can also help with the natural cognitive decline that develops in aging.
- Monitor what you eat. If the pantry and fridge are filled with fatty or empty-calorie foods, replace them with proteins, whole grains, fresh fruits and veggies, and low-fat dairy products. A serious change in diet can be overwhelming and difficult to adhere to, so start simple with one replacement at first – carrot sticks instead of potato chips, for instance – and work up to a healthier overall diet.
Serenity Home Care, the top-rated source for senior care in Esquimalt and the surrounding area, is here with individualized in-home care and companionship to help seniors in achieving these and any other goals. From accompaniment and transportation to medical appointments and exercise classes to grocery shopping and preparing healthy meals, all while giving socialization a much-needed boost, our caregivers are promoting senior health and wellness every day. Contact us for more information on how we can help someone you love!