Emotional wellbeing is especially important for seniors. The challenges of aging put our elderly loved ones at risk for loneliness and depression, which can have serious physical effects. Here are some keys to helping your loved one maintain a positive mental outlook and robust mental health.
Exercise
Exercise releases brain chemicals that elevate mood, reduce pain, and increase energy. Although exercising can be difficult for seniors with mobility limitations, there are ways to remain physically active, including doing seated chair exercises, marching in place with a walker, and simply ambling around the house and the yard. More mobile seniors can try yoga, tai chi, swimming, and Pilates. All of these are low-impact activities and have proven mental and physical health benefits.
An in-home caregiver can help your loved one exercise in safety and comfort. One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide elder care. Turn to Home Care Assistance for reliable, high-quality in-home care for aging adults. We offer 24-hour live-in care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties.
Adopt a Pet
Studies show owning a pet can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, increase physical activity, stimulate the mind, and provide unconditional love. Consider your loved one’s abilities before choosing a pet, and keep size, daily maintenance, and upkeep costs in mind. You might also want to speak with your loved one’s caregiver about caring for a pet and ensure allergies aren’t a concern.
Check Out the Library
Libraries offer multiple ways for your loved one to connect with other seniors. Although the programs offered vary by location, most libraries provide arts and crafts groups, book discussions, bus trips, current events discussions, exercise programs, films, games, hobby clubs, lectures, and support groups. Library programs are often tailored to the hearing impaired and can accommodate seniors with compromised vision.
Attend a Senior Center
Seniors who don’t get regular social interaction could be susceptible to depression, cognitive decline, loneliness, and a loss of mental focus. Senior centers are gold mines of activities for aging adults to enjoy together while socializing. Many centers offer events similar to those available at libraries. However, many senior centers also offer activities such as aquatic exercise, billiards, parties, potlucks, and limited health screenings. Most senior centers provide nutritious lunches for a small fee.
Home care can be a wonderful solution when your aging loved one needs companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just needs minor assistance with daily household tasks. Although it may be challenging to find reliable, highly rated senior home care, Montgomery, AL, families can turn to Home Care Assistance. Our respite and live-in caregivers are expertly trained to assist seniors with a wide array of important tasks, including cooking, bathing, light housekeeping, and exercise.
Join a Community Garden Group
A community garden is a plot of land tended collectively by a group of people. A garden may include vegetables, fruits, and flowers. Members have fun planting, mulching, weeding, watering, pruning, recruiting members, and fundraising. Membership typically involves a nominal annual fee.
Get Plenty of Mental Stimulation
Aging brains need regular stimulation to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and various mental health issues. Fortunately, many of the ways to achieve this goal also involve social activities, which help older adults maintain mental stability and focus during the senior years. Some possibilities for mentally beneficial stimulation include:
- Playing games with friends and family members
- Reading and exploring new ways to learn things
- Doing physical activities that increase circulation to the brain and involve multiple areas of the brain working together
Supporting your parent’s mental health can be especially important if he or she is living with cognitive impairment due to age-related dementia. If your senior loved one needs professional dementia care, Montgomery caregivers are available around the clock to provide the high-quality care he or she needs. Using the revolutionary Cognitive Therapeutics Method, dementia caregivers can help your loved one stay mentally engaged and delay the progression of the disease. Call Home Care Assistance at (334) 593-3988 to learn more about our flexible and customizable senior care plans.