There are many things that can influence how seniors feel in the golden years. Ageism still exists in our society, and your aging loved one might have false beliefs about getting older. Your loved one might also discover it’s difficult to prevent anxiety that comes with the potential of developing new health problems. Staying positive in the senior years is possible by making an effort to cultivate the right mindset.
1. Do Some Type of Exercise Each Day
You’ve probably already heard this one before, but physical activity really does boost mood. Stretching can relieve pain that causes your loved one to focus on negative thoughts. Cardiovascular exercise releases endorphins that promote a happy mood. Strength training can provide confidence in various abilities.
2. Be Selective About Social Media & Television
Zoning out while watching television or scrolling through social media might seem like a fun way to pass the time. However, these activities can quickly lead to feeling upset about the world. Try to limit your loved one’s news watching to only a brief part of the day. Social media is a great way to stay in contact with friends, but watch how your loved one feels. If your loved one begins to feel jealous, annoyed, or angry at the posts he or she reads, he or she should stop and do something that makes him or her feel better.
3. Find an Enjoyable Hobby
Life is far more fun when there are a few things to look forward to doing. Finding new passions in the senior years gives older adults healthy ways to spend their time. They’ll also get mental boosts from accomplishing new things.
4. Reduce Daily Frustrations
Minor issues can add up over the course of a day. Encourage your loved one to think about the things that annoy him or her the most and find ways to address them before they ruin his or her mood. Some seniors choose to hand over housekeeping chores to caregivers so they can do more fun things. Others choose to let people help them shop for groceries so they don’t have to navigate crowds.
Home care professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers.
5. Nurture New & Old Relationships
Friends and family are a senior’s biggest sources of support. Your loved one may also find having strong relationships helps him or her feel positive about aging. Whether your loved one needs someone to motivate him or her to get out of the house or just likes to have people he or she can call, keeping relationships active helps in many areas of life.
6. Set Goals for Better Health
Goal setting is another practice that promotes positivity in the senior years. Everyone needs something to work toward, and your loved one can set simple, measurable goals that help him or her get healthier. The goal might be to cut down on smoking, or your loved one may decide to conquer the fear of going to the doctor. With each small victory, seniors may feel their health and confidence soar.
7. Talk to Someone When Times Get Rough
Everyone is entitled to a bad day. Yet there comes a point where a bad day turns into a long week or month that’s filled with negative thoughts. When this happens, encourage your loved one to talk to someone about what’s bothering him or her. Hearing feedback from a professional counselor or a close friend makes it easier to get back into a better mood.
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, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home. For more information about our flexible, customizable home care plans, call one of our compassionate Care Managers today at (717) 540-4663.