5 Simple Steps That Can Help Seniors Live Healthier, Longer Lives
Guest Author: Karen Weeks of Elderwellness.net
Research Senior Care
Realizing when assisted living is your best option can be difficult, but living without the care you need can be even more detrimental to your physical and mental well-being. You can measure your own need for assisted living by thinking about the daily living activities that are becoming difficult or even dangerous for you to do alone. These ADLs, or activities of daily life, can include bathing, preparing meals, or dressing, all of which can be more readily provided by the right assisted living center. You can use online searches and guides to find a local assisted living facility that meets these needs and also meets your budget concerns. For peace of mind, it’s also a good idea to find an assisted living facility that’s conveniently located near one of the area’s best hospitals.
Compare Medicare Plans
Taking care of your health can be costly, but Medicare can make these expenses much more affordable for seniors. You can avoid paying too much out-of-pocket for your own health and wellness needs by avoiding some common Medicare mistakes. One of the biggest mistakes seniors make when it comes to Medicare is not taking the time needed to really compare their plan options before each annual enrollment period. Plans and coverages can change from year to year, and there may be a new Medicare Advantage plan available that offers more benefits in terms of prescription drugs, preventative care, or even transportation, to keep you healthy.
Get Some Regular Exercise
There’s no doubt about it: Exercise keeps seniors healthy. Older adults who exercise on a regular basis can lower their risk of dementia, improve their cognitive function, and boost their physical fitness for healthier aging. So if you want to improve your health and your quality of life, try to find simple ways to stay active every day. If you still work, consider walking during breaks, biking to work, or opting for a stand-up desk. Another way you can stay active is to get a dog, especially since owning a pet can have other health benefits for seniors, including fewer chronic pain symptoms and more opportunities for social interaction.
Reduce Chronic Stress
Stress can have a major impact on your overall health, especially chronic stress. If you’re concerned about your own stress levels, knowing the symptoms of chronic stress can be helpful. If you experience chronic pain, frequent headaches, or trouble sleeping, you may need to look for ways to manage and control your daily stress. One stress-relieving practice that can be beneficial for seniors is meditation. With mindful meditation, you can also reduce inflammation and improve blood pressure, and there are many different ways to add meditation to your daily routine, such as centering prayer, body scans, or guided imagery.
Stick to Senior-Friendly Diets
Diet and nutrition can be pretty confusing for anyone, but the best diets for seniors can actually be pretty simple to figure out. That’s because diets consisting of lean proteins and foods with lower calories tend to provide the most health and wellness benefits for older adults. Those low-calorie, high-protein foods can include lean meats, seafood, poultry, eggs, low-fat dairy, and legumes. If preparing daily meals using these whole foods is a challenge, you can also try meal prepping and freezing meals, so you always have convenient choices handy in the kitchen.
Healthy aging doesn’t require any tricks or secrets, but it does require some smart daily choices. If you are a senior, making better choices in your day-to-day routine can have immense benefits for your health and happiness, and possibly even extend your life. So to make the most of your quality of life, be sure to make the right health choices.
