People in their 70s are transforming the expectations people have for this amazing decade of life. Seniors today are no longer forced to give up their independence, provided they’re in relatively good health and have plenty of support. Now that your senior loved one has reached this milestone age, you can help him or her carve out a schedule that hits these important daily goals.
1. Take Prescribed Medication
This daily activity may not be that exciting, but it can ensure your loved one sees his or her 80th birthday. By 70, most older adults are taking some form of medication, and this is also the age when many people begin to experience memory loss. Set up a medication regimen that includes monitoring by you or a caregiver to help your loved one accomplish this critical goal for his or her health.
2. Do Some Form of Exercise
A senior’s exercise needs may change after turning 70. Your loved one may need to break up workouts into smaller increments or only be able to just do a few light stretches if he or she is bedbound or experiencing an illness. While gentler is better now, your loved one should still aim to move his or her body to the best of his or her ability. Your parent may sleep better and reduce pain from conditions such as arthritis.
A home caregiver can help your loved one exercise in safety and comfort. In-home 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.
3. Engage in Cognitive Activity
Brain training is just as important as physical activity now. Memory loss can be prevented by giving your loved one plenty of things to do to boost his or her cognitive functioning. Set your loved one up with a caregiver who knows how to plan engaging activities that stimulate brain activity. You can also help your loved one learn something new or put together a puzzle. Every time your loved one uses his or her brain to solve a problem, tell a story, or remember information is an opportunity to strengthen his or her cognitive abilities.
Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of elder care. Jefferson County 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.
4. Focus on Mental Health
Many 70-year-olds face painful life events that can make it difficult to maintain a positive attitude. Help your loved one identify at least one activity to do every day to relieve stress. Some seniors enjoy journaling. Others like to meditate. Even reading a joke each day can count as a mental health activity. The main point is to do at least one special thing your loved one knows will make him or her smile each day.
5. Spend Time Socializing
A senior who is 70 may have many friends he or she has accumulated over the years. Other seniors may have smaller groups of social connections due to loss over time. Either way, your loved one needs to talk to at least one other person every day if he or she lives alone. Create a list of people to call, invite over for a chat, or send an email to so your loved one stays connected.
For families living in Jefferson County, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Home Care Assistance, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home. 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 (303) 987-5992 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.