The golden years are rich with opportunities, yet some seniors find it difficult to enjoy this stage of life. Without a structured schedule that revolves around work and family obligations, it can be easy for older adults to lose their sense of purpose, which can lead to negative feelings such as loneliness and depression. To help seniors combat such feelings and maximize their post-retirement lifestyle, here are some tips for how to live out the golden years with purpose.
Outline Goals
Life coaches often recommend that seniors outline their goals to retain a sense of purpose. One great way to do this is to craft a mission statement, a few sentences that can act as a guide for how to look at daily life and make decisions. Anyone floundering for the right words may consider what makes them feel satisfied and what unique gifts they can offer to the community. Seniors can even write statements and display them in their homes or include them in special journals.
If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of elderly home care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping.
Think Outward
Seniors can provide welcome comfort and encouragement to family members or friends who are younger. This encouragement might include writing a letter, buying a special gift, or babysitting grandchildren. Other heartening acts may include calling friends to stay in touch or simply sharing friendly smiles with people when out and about. This outward-focused style of thinking can reintroduce purpose into your loved one’s life so he or she can feel confident in his or her abilities and self-image.
In Harrisburg, in-home care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Home Care Assistance, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. We offer a revolutionary program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy.
Expand Social Networks
The golden years aren’t the time to choose isolation. Seniors do well when they expand friendships with people from all generations. While it’s wonderful to have friends of similar ages with shared interests, it’s also wonderful to enjoy friendships with those who are younger or have different interests. Seniors can grow their social networks via online communities, at local meet-up groups, or at senior and recreation centers in town. Studies show social seniors not only enjoy a greater sense of purpose but are also healthier, both physically and mentally, than their less social counterparts.
Socializing can often help seniors regain a sense of purpose. For families living in Harrisburg, 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. If your loved one needs help with the challenges of aging, call one of our compassionate Care Managers today at (717) 540-4663.