Lots of people 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 is no time like the present to start a new habit or goal, especially if you’re trying to improve senior health and wellness.
We have six recommendations you can implement today. Select one to start, or jump right into all of them to attain the most benefit:
- Make an appointment for a physical. Instead of waiting for an injury or illness to call the physician, an annual check-up is a good way for older adults to stay on top of their health and potentially prevent problems before they occur.
- Get physical. With the doctor’s approval and recommendations in hand, begin a brand new physical fitness routine – together! Working out with a senior you love enables you to motivate one another and serve as accountability partners. Agree to sticking to it for a minimum of 21 days, after which it ought to be an ingrained, pleasurable habit you’ll wish to continue.
- Stay connected. Help the older adult keep up friendships and contact with loved ones to ward off isolation and loneliness – something we’ve all become too familiar with during the course of the pandemic. Offer transportation if needed for lunch dates, or with setting up technology to stay virtually in contact.
- Keep vaccinations up-to-date. In addition to COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, pneumonia, seasonal influenza, and shingles vaccines ought to be up to date. With age comes an increased risk for severe effects from these illnesses, so vaccinations become even more important.
- Don’t overlook mental health. A mental health provider can help determine if depression, anxiety, or other concerns need to be addressed, offering both therapeutic tools and medication if needed. Staying mentally sharp through brain enrichment activities will help with the natural cognitive decline that occurs in aging.
- Watch what you eat. If the pantry and fridge are full of empty-calorie or fatty foods, replace them with proteins, whole grains, fresh vegetables and fruits, and low-fat dairy products. A serious change in diet can be overwhelming and difficult to stick to, so start simple with one replacement at first – carrot sticks in the place of potato chips, for example – and work up to a more healthy overall diet.
Amy’s Helping Hands, the top provider of Windsor, Ontario home care services, is here to assist older adults in achieving these and any other goals with individualized in-home care and companionship. From accompaniment and transportation to medical appointments and fitness classes to grocery shopping and preparing healthy meals, all while giving socialization a much-needed boost, we are empowering seniors to live their best lives each and every day. Contact us online or call 519-915-4370 for more information on how we can help an older adult you love!
