Seniors who already know that they want to remain in their homes as they get older should start preparing now. By doing things to improve their health and take care of themselves now, seniors are ensuring that they will be able to remain independent and live in their own homes as they get older. There are a lot of benefits that seniors can get from living in their own homes independently. Studies show that seniors who are aging in place are typically physically and mentally healthier. And seniors who are aging in place are more likely to enjoy their retirement and prioritize having great moments with friends and family. That’s why seniors who want to enjoy the benefits of aging in place should be doing these things now:
Exercise More
It’s very important for seniors that want to remain independent to exercise daily. The more exercise seniors do the more likely it is that they will be able to easily remain independent as they get older. Exercise helps seniors strengthen muscles, maintain a healthy weight, and remain flexible so that they can easily move around the house, do household chores, and do all the things that they need to be able to do to be independent like shop and run errands or drive a car. Exercise is the key to longevity as people age so seniors who want to live at home should get moving.
Eat Healthy
Exercise is one half of the healthy aging equation. Eating healthy is the other half. Seniors should be very careful about what they eat so that they can keep their weight at a healthy level, avoid developing diseases like diabetes, and manage any chronic health conditions that they already have. Doctors recommend that seniors eat a sensible plant based diet that is mostly vegetables but includes some fruit and plenty of lean protein like fish, chicken, or turkey. Red meat should be eaten sparingly. Eggs, yogurt, and cheese are great sources of calcium and protein for seniors. Eat more of those.
Get Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy may sound scary but it’s not. It’s actually a lot of fun for most seniors. Through games and prescribed physical movement and activities occupational therapy helps seniors improve their spatial awareness, hand/eye coordination, dexterity, fine motor skills, and cognitive abilities. Occupational therapy helps prepare seniors physically to stay independent for the longest amount of time possible by making it easier for them to do things like pick up a dish, close a drawer, sweep the floor, and do other household tasks.
Find New Hobbies
Hobbies give seniors purpose, help them stay mentally active, and can help seniors connect with other seniors. There are a lot of benefits to having hobbies and seniors should try to develop new interests and hobbies. When seniors have a sense of purpose and a social group that likes the same things they do seniors are much more likely to be happy, healthy, and independent.
If you or someone you know needs occupational therapy in Buffalo, MN, contact Adara Home Health. 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.