Aging is an inevitability in everyone’s life. It is a time when our mind and body begins to slow down. Day-to-day activities become strenuous and sometimes impossible. These changes can happen gradually or sometimes very suddenly, for example, if you suffer from a stroke or are living with dementia and Alzheimers. It is very important to make changes to your lifestyle to make aging an easier prospect. This might be seeking support from a loved one or professional help, changing living arrangements, and finding the time to rest and meditate.
Sometimes those in their senior years require their family and friends to help with the aging process. They may have got to a point where they are unable to make decisions for themselves around their care. This is a very scary moment for anyone, and so must be treated gently and with as much support as possible. No-one likes to feel like they have lost their sense of autonomy and independence. So as family members or caregivers, make sure you listen as much as you can to the needs of those you are caring for. While they may not be able to look after themselves, they still should be treated with kindness, patience, and respect.
Jump Ahead To:
Living arrangements
As day-to-day activities get harder, you will need to make changes to your or your loved one’s living arrangements. These might be as small as home adaptations to increase access, for example, support on banisters and stairs, placing mobility walkers around the house, or having disabled equipment fitted into a bathroom or kitchen. Increasing access facilities in the home can be super beneficial for those who are struggling to move around on their own. Safety is a paramount concern for those who are elderly and living on their own, there are many risks around the house, and so these home modifications can help with mitigating dangerous circumstances.
On top of these modifications, another option is to find carers that are willing to come in once a day and help with showering, waking up, fixing meals, etc. These small tasks may start to become unmanageable in your senior years, so it is important to address them with the right support. Family members may find that elderly loved ones are resistant to increased support in their home. You must listen and help encourage the change with patience and kindness. It is not an easy thing getting older.
However, for many elderly people, it can be much easier to move to a community living facility. Frontier Senior Living offers assisted living communities that can help those who struggle with daily living and aging. The assisted living arrangements offered by Frontier management are a great option for those in need of more care daily. Not only do they provide exceptional care staff who value their patients, but they also offer a community that believes in inclusion and engagement, thus mitigating any issues of social isolation.
Changing living arrangements is the first step in improving the aging process. While often it is met with resistance, it eventually becomes the best decision many senior citizens make.
Enjoyment and Activities
Just because you are aging doesn’t mean you cannot enjoy life. No matter what stage of life you are in, it is important to make the most of what is on offer. Sharing food with friends can be an extremely enjoyable experience. It is a source of pleasure that shouldn’t have to end just because your body is getting older. It is important to mindfully care for your diet in old age, but that should not suck the pleasure out of dining with friends. Many people will argue that a happy mind is a happy body, so enjoy things whilst you can.
Sensory activities are really great for senior citizens that are struggling with memory problems. Music and art can engage the mind and all our senses. Listening to the music of your youth can bring back memories and will always put a smile on someone’s face. There is a lot of time in your retired years to make the most of things that you enjoy. If mobility and energy are an issue, there are many activities to do from our home or community living center, for example, reminiscence sessions, seated dance routines, arts and crafts, and much more.
Aging can be a lonely experience. Studies have shown that increased activities and socialization can help combat isolation and depression in older adults. This, in turn, can help with physical issues; depression and isolation have been known to cause physical health to deteriorate faster.
Rest And Meditate
Rest is a great panacea in old age. It is so important that senior citizens find time to rest daily. Increased care and support can help facilitate more time for a person to rest. Many people have said that meditation is also really beneficial in your old age. It helps with focus and grounding. As well as having great effects on both memory and digestion. It gives time to clear the mind and focus on your body. It is a worthwhile practice to add to your daily routine. Meditation is known to stimulate memory centers in the brain, which can be great for older adults who are suffering from memory trouble.
There are lots of ways to practice meditation, from gentle stretching to journaling, as well as breathwork and sitting in a quiet garden. Give yourself time to focus on your mind-body connection. Focus on the sensation of breathing in and out, let your mind quieten, and enjoy the peace and tranquility that meditation and rest can bring.
It can be extremely hard living alone when both your mind and body are slowing down. Small lifestyle changes have a huge impact on the quality of life of elderly people. Those in their senior years must be given the care and support they need from those around them to enjoy their life to the fullest.
