People of all ages make and share their resolutions for the coming year. Oftentimes, the promises reflect a desire for self-improvement. There are many resolutions seniors can consider making to benefit their overall health.
1. Eat Healthier
Older adults can make several dietary alterations to enjoy ongoing health. First, they should avoid consuming more calories than their bodies burn on a given day. Otherwise, they might battle with weight issues. Second, they must commit to avoiding foods high in fat, salt, and sugar. These foods hinder cardiovascular function by promoting high LDL cholesterol, which increases the potential for developing clogged blood vessels. Processed foods are also associated with inflammation, which damages cells throughout the body.
Selecting the most nutritious foods and regularly preparing healthy meals can be a challenge for some seniors. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of in-home care. Lakewood Home Care Assistance provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
2. Go Swimming
Many seniors find themselves living a sedentary lifestyle, which inhibits optimal function of the cardiovascular system and other organs throughout the body. Older adults should strive to get at least 150 minutes of exercise weekly. Swimming is a wonderful low-impact body workout. Many communities have indoor or outdoor pools. Some seniors also conveniently reside near natural bodies of water.
Many seniors with health conditions or mobility challenges need help to get the exercise they need, and a professional caregiver is just the right person to call on. If your senior loved one needs hourly or live-in care, Lakewood Home Care Assistance can help. Our caregivers can assist with exercise and mobility, prepare nutritious meals, provide timely medication reminders, and help with a wide array of other important daily tasks.
3. Laugh More
Laughter offers many short-term and long-term benefits. A good laugh temporarily increases the heart rate, which sends oxygen-rich blood more quickly throughout the body. Laughing promotes the alleviation of stress while encouraging muscle relaxation, and it also diverts the mind from negative thoughts, which enhances mood. While a person is laughing, the brain produces and releases higher levels of endorphins, the body’s natural pain-relieving compounds.
4. Start a Hobby
With an abundance of time on their hands, seniors might want to consider engaging in constructive activities. Having a hobby is a great way to pass the time. Completing a project provides a sense of accomplishment. Some seniors might enjoy sketching, painting, or writing, while others might prefer creating jewelry or working with wood. The possibilities are endless.
5. Read More
Seniors should make a point of visiting the library once or twice a month and vowing to read one or more books from the New York Times bestseller list. They can find great works of fiction and indulge in an adventure or explore the lives of famous people by selecting biographies. Whatever the interest, reading is a good way to escape life’s stress for a few hours. The activity also stimulates the brain.
6. Play Bocce Ball
Bocce ball can be played indoors or out. However, playing outside provides the chance to enjoy nature under the warm sun. The game requires at least two players, but team play is also encouraged. Playing bocce ball is a good way to get a little exercise while stimulating the brain to develop strategies.
7. Become a Gourmet
At least once a week, seniors should find a gourmet recipe and treat themselves and a group of loved ones to a sumptuous meal. Seniors should make it a family affair and encourage everyone to bring a side dish to complete the feast.
For seniors who need a bit of help keeping resolutions to be healthier, professional caregivers can boost motivation by offering constant compassionate encouragement. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of senior care. Lakewood families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet your elderly loved one’s 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. If your loved one needs professional care, Home Care Assistance is here to help. Call one of our Care Managers today at (303) 987-5992.