3 Things You Can Do to Keep Your Senior Happy and Healthy

Aging has a way of slowing the body down. Mom complains about new aches each time you see her. Dad shuffles across the room instead of his quick pace you were used to seeing. You notice that your loved one doesn’t seem as happy as usual. We all get sad from time to time but staying sad for long periods should not become the norm. There is much you can do to aid Mom or Dad in their happiness. It starts with a support system such as the one you will find when you engage in the services of a professional caregiver. They work with your family to ensure your aged loved one has what they need to live their life fully and on their terms.

How to Help Your Loved Ones Feel More Positive

Do you struggle to know what to do when Dad gets frustrated with how his arthritis flares up? Have you noticed that Mom doesn’t smile as quickly when you visit? You have the power to aid them in getting themselves healthier, which will make them feel more upbeat. There are many different things you can do, but starting in the areas of the physical, nutritional, and social spaces is best:

1. Help Them Focus on Their Physical Health: The worst thing elderly adults can do to themselves is to stop moving. The opposite is what you want them to do! They need to move more but in focused ways. Exercising helps relieve chronic pain from arthritis. It helps with weight maintenance, which means they are less likely to develop diabetes or obesity. Exercising doesn’t have to mean heading to a gym. It means:
1. Doing activities you enjoy, such as walking, swimming, or gardening.
2. Starting slow and adding more intensity as fitness allows.
3. Inviting a friend to join in and feel accountable toward set fitness goals.
2. Encourage a New Take on the Food on Their Plate: Eating becomes troublesome as taste buds begin to falter and dentures cause pain. Another issue that many aging adults face is having a meal by themselves. When you see Mom pushing food around her plate, talk with her about what you can do together to make meals pleasant. Incorporate nutrient-dense foods into her diet. It also may be time to hire a personal support worker to assist in cooking nutritious meals.
3. Strategize on How to Keep Them Socially Involved: Loneliness affects the elderly in many ways. It leads to depression and possibly cognitive decline. Encourage your senior to take advantage of technology and learn how to use video chats to talk with grandchildren who live far off. Look for clubs where your loved one can learn new skills or hobbies and meet new people.

Help Your Senior Achieve Happiness with Extra Support

Happiness is a state of mind. Help your loved one achieve greater happiness with the support you can get from a caring home care worker. At Home Instead Kitchener-Waterloo, ON, our team members are well-trained and ready to serve you or your senior. They can help with cooking delicious and healthy meals, personal care, companionship, and stroll around the block with them. Look to us for a personalised service package that will lighten your load and bring joy to Dad’s day.

Call us at (519) 571-1665 to schedule a no-obligation, in-home consultation. Learn more about the compassionate, quality senior care we deliver, every day, to families in Kitchener-Waterloo, Breslau, Conestogo, Elmira, St Jacobs, and surrounding areas.