Healthy Habits for Seniors
7 Habits Every Senior Should Have
Start new habits this year for better health. Seniors can change their lifestyle and start practicing these 7 new healthy habits this year.
A new year is the perfect time to start putting new habits in place. New year’s signify fresh starts, rebirths, and second chances. So what better time to help older adults change their lifestyle and start practicing new habits than in the New Year?
Here are seven habits every senior should have.
1. Focus on prevention
Seniors can be proactive in their health by getting regular checkups. Having regular doctor appointments to check on things like cholesterol, heart problems, blood pressure and more can alert seniors of problems early on and make them more manageable. Getting regular screenings for things like colon, prostate and breast cancer can catch problems early so that treatment can be given immediately. Even when individuals feel fine and healthy, they should visit their healthcare provider on a regular basis to help avoid problems in the future. Caregivers can help make appointments, provide transportation to appointments and help with any necessary follow up.
2. Get social
Doing activities with others and being social can help seniors’ mental and physical health. (www. greatergood.berkeley.edu) Since health and social activities tend to decline with age, it can be especially beneficial for seniors to get involved in social activities. Many studies are showing how being involved in a community can help maximize sharing, friendship, health and happiness later in life. Caregivers can help older adults find bingo nights, book clubs, church events or other activities that they can attend. Find out what they like doing and take them to different events to see what is most enjoyable.
3. Keep your mind sharp
Doing mental activities that stimulate the brain will help ward off decline in mental health and keep seniors’ minds sharp. Activities like crossword puzzles, bingo, board games, painting, arts and crafts, storytelling and computer activities are all things that seniors can participate in and can be beneficial to their health. A study by the New England Journal of Medicine (seniors.lovetoknow.com) suggests that it doesn’t matter what activities seniors participate in, as long as they are doing new and different ones that encourage them to use their brains.
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