What is the best way to help your elderly loved one relax? This is a question you may start asking yourself once you decide to help your parent out regularly. Even if you’re not there every day, it is something you will consider when your mom or dad chooses to age in place. Even with home care providers in place, life for a senior can still be stressful. Older adults can feel stress more than we do and more than you ever realize.
It can be essential for you or home care providers to help find ways to help a senior relax and de-stress. This is something that all caregivers, whether paid or family, will wonder about. In the long run, long-term stress may cause a wide range of problems, from difficulty communicating to mood changes to disease and pain.
It is not always easy to get your mom or dad to relax, and they may not feel comfortable enough to talk about what’s going on in their own lives. If you have been looking for ways to help your senior unwind and calm down, maybe these tips will help you.
Practice Meditation Together
The practice of mindfulness meditation is an effective method for reducing stress. According to the University of Michigan, it’s all about being in the here and now. It might help you relax since you aren’t thinking about the past or what could happen in the future anymore. There are a variety of breathing techniques that might help you relax when things become too much.
Low Impact Activity
Our brains and bodies are inextricably intertwined, and studies have shown that exercise may aid in stress reduction and relaxation. Yoga, tai chi, strolling, moderate resistance training, and chair stretches are just a few of the stress-relieving options available to seniors that are also low-impact. For example, studies have shown that Tai chi may help reduce blood pressure. Stress and anxiety may be alleviated by the practice of yoga, which has been practiced for decades. People who commit to mild strength exercise, such as walking, report improved energy levels and lower stress levels overall.
Add in Scents Around Their Home
Many people are now embracing aromatherapy, which claims that breathing specific scents and aromas may have a good impact, including sensations of profound relaxation. Using diffusers, candles, or even a simmer pot, you may help your senior loved one discover the fragrances and odors that offer them comfort and peace.
Encourage Them to Make Friends
When it comes to health and well-being, seniors who are socially active as they become older do much better than those who become more socially isolated or lonely. Find methods to get your elderly loved ones involved in their local community so they may get the advantages of socialization. To make the most of their time, consider inviting a friend or family member over to play games, eat, and trade tales.
Take a Long Soak
This is something a senior may not want to do with you but may prefer if a home care provider helped with this task. There is nothing more relaxing than a hot soak surrounded by their favorite smells.
If you or someone you know needs Home Care in Buffalo, MN, contact Adara Home Health Care. We provide quality and affordable home care services for many fragile or senior members in the communities we serve.
Call us at (888) 660-5772 for more information