New Year, New Ways to Renew Health & Vitality in Seniors
The start of a new year brings anticipation; some of it exciting and some of it, perhaps a bit unnerving. Not everyone likes to make the proverbial “New Year Resolution”, but all of us do like to consider new intentions. Maybe we start a new diet or exercise regimen. Some new beginnings include leaving old careers in search of new ones. For the elderly, it may feel a little harder to think of “newness” when everything seems like the “same old, same old”. Your loved one may feel stuck in their daily rut. Why not help them work toward renewing their health and vitality?
Support their quest to explore new opportunities to enhance their quality of life through new and interesting activities, better nutrition, and greater emotional connections. Seek the help of a trained personal support worker who can step in for assistance when you cannot be there. They provide the support both you and your aging parent need.
How to Bring New Vitality to Your Senior’s Daily Life
Maybe it is time to rethink how your seniors spend their days. They don’t need to sit in front of a television set all day long; there are so many better things to occupy their mind and engage their physical self. Areas you can resolve to improve include increasing their nutrient intake, providing mental and physical stimulation, and encouraging them to be more social. Remember that trained, professional personal care assistance can be a useful option to ensure the success of these life-changing improvements.
NEW Meal Ideas for Seniors
Poor nutrition contributes to many ailments for seniors. Any difficulty chewing will add to an older person’s frustration with eating. Yet, nutritious food is crucial in maintaining good health, leading to a better quality of life. You can find new meal ideas when you focus on these general planning tips:
- Nutrient-dense ingredients. Get the most mileage for your effort by focusing on foods high in nutrients. Even if your senior doesn’t eat much in one sitting, they will get the health benefits they need.
- Fresh fruits and vegetables are a better choice than canned. Because fresh fruits and vegetables contain more bio-available nutrients, older adults’ bodies can absorb the vitamins and minerals better. So, whenever possible, serve fresh over canned or frozen.
- Start lunch with an appetizer of juice. A freshly made fruit and vegetable juice helps ensure your senior gets nutrients. For the rest of the meal, add a source of protein, including meat and eggs, for Vitamin B12 and Omega-3 fatty acids.
- Have plenty of water handy. Besides getting needed nutrients, it is very important for aging adults to stay well hydrated. Many seniors forget to drink sufficient water through their day. Herbal teas, fruit-infused water, and other non-caffeinated drinks will help them drink more water.
As you develop better menus for your senior, look for new ways to aid them physically and mentally. The lack of physical and mental activities makes it much hard for senior citizens to enjoy many things. They can feel revitalized with increased movement and brain stimulating things to do.
Here some Fresh Meal Ideas for Seniors
NEW Physical & Mental Activities for Seniors
Getting older means learning to adapt to changes in the mind and body. Active people find they cannot do the same things as they could in their 30s and 40s. Going through the challenges of daily chores and routines, they may even feel like they are losing their memory. Help your senior stay physically fit and mentally sharp when you encourage them to try out some of these suggestions:
- Learn pickleball. This oddly named game blends elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It can be played both indoors and outdoors. The best part is that all age groups can learn and enjoy this game.
- Play chess or Scrabble. Help your loved one improve their mental sharpness by picking up the chess or Scrabble board and playing a game. You can even find online versions.
- Use the non-dominant hand. The brain can create new connections between its cells. One way to do this is to use the non-dominant hand to complete everyday tasks. For example, if your dad is right-handed, encourage him to brush his teeth with his left hand. This builds new brain cell connections, and the non-dominant hand gets stronger.
As you watch your elderly parent blossom into a new person with a fresh take on life, you will want to ensure they don’t get lonely. Loneliness can cause mental illness to creep up and threaten your mom’s or dad’s quality of life. You can avoid that by taking the next step in encouraging them to grasp onto life and live it fully.
Learn some Fun, Mind-and-Body Activities to Live Life
NEW Ways to Interact & Socialize with Seniors
Loneliness hurts aging adults’ quality of life. They can fall into depressive states. Limited mobility can make interacting with others challenging. Increasing your loved one’s social activity helps fight loneliness and depression and may even extend their life. There are many ways to help your senior get and stay socially active:
- Go to festivals. Check out a local renaissance festival or other outdoor gatherings. When the weather is nice, take your parents and head down to the art or music festival at the park.
- Have a weekly family dinner. Call in the family to join you and grandpa or grandma for supper one night a week. You might even make it a dinner and a movie night. It will give them something to look forward to, and your family’s bonds will strengthen.
- Invest in companion services. Personal support workers offer a fun change of pace for your loved one. They can play checkers or cards or even read books. They strive to help your senior remain socially active, even in their home.
With each resolution accomplished, you will find your elderly parent has increased mental capacities, more energy, and a new zest for life. Keep the good times rolling by enlisting the services of an elder care professional. They work with your loved one to stay on top of their nutrition and activity levels.
Click for some Suggestions for New Avenues of Socialization with Seniors
Senior Living Makeovers with Help from Quality Home Care Workers
While many people lose the energy and excitement of the New Year even before January comes to an end, you don’t have to fall into that category. The team of Home Instead Kitchener-Waterloo, ON stands ready to aid you and your senior with the right home care services to fit their needs. We can help fix nutritious meals, provide personal care assistance, companionship for socialization opportunities, and even Alzheimer's care. Let’s work together to tailor the best services for your family’s situation. Contact us today!
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.