5 Wellness tips for Senior Citizens
By Aaron Smith
Living a long life is something everyone hopes to do. There are lots of changes involved with growing older, including physical, mental, social, and emotional ones. Some are more enjoyable to experience than others, but all are inevitable parts of life. Wellness tips are definitely to be appreciated.
Taking care of yourself and maintaining your health at any age is important, but it becomes crucial when you’re over the age of 65. Things that used to cause minor injuries and illnesses, like tripping over furniture or catching a cold, can lead to more serious complications in senior citizens.
The best way to prevent serious injuries or illnesses from happening is by making healthier choices and becoming more cautious. Things that can keep you healthy and strong all year round include eating better, staying active, washing your hands frequently, preventing falls from happening, and scheduling annual physicals with your doctor. We’ll explore how each tip can be implemented in an easy and manageable way.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Most young people can eat pretty much anything without gaining weight. That’s because your body is at its highest ‘basal metabolic rate’ in your teens and twenties. You’re burning calories more frequently and faster than at any other moment in your life.
Unfortunately, as you age, your metabolism slows down at a rate of about 2-3 percent per year. By the time you reach your late sixties, your metabolic rate will have sharply decreased, and you’ll notice that burning calories takes a lot more effort.
Eating sugary or fatty foods on a regular basis can not only lower your immune system, but it can also cause weight gain, which can lead to other health conditions. Losing weight as a senior citizen is not easy, so it’s best to maintain a healthy diet as opposed to working off a bad one.
Maintaining a healthy diet can boost your immune system, protecting you from harmful viruses, and it can provide your body with much-needed antioxidants. It’s vital for feeling good and staying healthy as you age.
Stay Active
Regular activity is one of the most important things you can do to stay healthy, regardless of your age. Staying active benefits older adults specifically because it can help prevent health problems while maintaining wellness (strength and flexibility). Additionally, moving around every day can help your body fight inflammation and infections. Other than the possibility of over-exerting yourself, there is really no downside to regular exercise.
As you age, you begin to lose muscle mass. This is a condition known as ‘sarcopenia’ and is mainly found in senior citizens who are inactive. They tend to grow much weaker at quicker rates, which can affect their stamina, balance, and mobility. Older adults who don’t stay active on a regular basis are more prone to falls, which can lead to serious fractures or injuries.
We are not suggesting you should take up an intense workout routine. Instead, the CDC recommends getting about 20 minutes of moderate movement every day to stay healthy. This can mean taking a brisk walk around your neighborhood or going swimming at your local pool. Do whatever feels best for you.
Keeping your mind busy is just as crucial as staying active. Falling into repetitive, dull routines can be detrimental to an aging mind. Engage in frequent therapeutic activities that will keep you sharp and keep your mood elevated.
Wash Hands Frequently
Everyone should be washing their hands frequently. Not only is it hygienic, but it’s also one of the most effective ways to prevent illness and the spread of infections to others. This is an especially important habit for seniors to practice because of how prone they can be to illness.
A child catching a cold may take a day or two off from school and watch T.V. all day while they recover. When an older adult gets sick, even with something minor, they are at risk for developing more complicated conditions.
A lot of things get harder as we age, and performing even basic functions suddenly becomes more exhausting than it used to be. Things like arthritis or other joint diseases can make moving painful, but it’s important to continue with basic hygiene practices. It’s the best way to remain healthy all year round.
Prevent Falls From Happening
You feel pretty invincible when you’re a kid. Scrapes and falls come with the territory of playing outside, and risky teenage behavior is practically a right of passage. This changes when you’re older, though. While your chances of falling from a tree as a senior citizen are slim, everyday household items become the danger instead.
Consider having someone, like a younger family member, come over and help you ‘fall proof’ your house. Remove throw rugs or loose carpets, make sure all the hallways and pathways in your home are clear and easy to walk through. You also could consider plugging in nightlights to make getting up in the night easier. As long as your space is free of clutter, you should be safe from unexpected injuries.
However, if you live alone and you’re worried about falls, you should consider hiring a homecare service. Having someone stop by a few times a week to check on things or tidy up a bit can be a huge help. Additionally, regular audits of how you use your living space can also be a useful safety precaution.
Schedule Annual Physicals
No one enjoys going to the doctor’s office, but as you get older, regular checkups become more crucial. Many conditions can go undetected, like diabetes or high blood pressure, but would be noticed by doctors during annual physical exams. Catching any illness or disease early is the best way to prevent long-term complications.
If you begin feeling sick for any reason, reach out to your doctor right away. We’re not suggesting that you turn into a hypochondriac, but it’s dangerous to assume colds or flu are harmless when you’re an older adult.
Stay Healthy
Aging happens whether we want it to or not. By following the above wellness tips, you’re acknowledging this reality and giving yourself the best chance you can to live a long, healthy, comfortable life.
Author Bio
Aaron Smith is an LA-based content strategist and consultant in support of STEM firms and medical practices. He covers industry developments and helps companies connect with clients. In his free time, Aaron enjoys swimming, swing dancing, and sci-fi novels.
The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect all or some of our beliefs and policy. Any links on this page does not necessarily mean they have been endorsed by Defying Mental Illness.
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