How To Improve Quality of Life for Seniors?
As humans, we pursue all endeavors that help us to better ourselves and lead a more fulfilling life. But the situation starts changing as we grow older. Aging brings many physical and emotional changes that severely impact the quality of life. Seniors often lose their purpose in life and start feeling like a burden to their loved ones.
But the scenario can be easily reversed by how we perceive them, love them, and take care of them. Given that, if you have a senior at home, do check out our valuable tips that would help you improve their quality of life. Read on!
Monitor and nip depression in the bud
A significant problem plaguing seniors is depression, which primarily stems from their loss of a sense of purpose. They are done with their child-caring role, are no longer earning money because of retirement or physical and mental impairment. They also suffer from chronic illness, loss of the spouse, and other similar causes leading to their loss of independence and well-being.
Depression can be seriously debilitating. You should recognize its signs early on and tackle it before it becomes a severe disease. A few of its tell-tale signs include:
-
Lack of interest in all activities.
-
Lack of energy and perpetual fatigue.
-
Persistent sadness is accompanied by feelings of hopelessness.
-
Loss of self-worth and self-esteem.
-
Irritability
-
Insomnia and other sleep-related issues.
-
Aches and pains with no apparent cause.
It is always advisable to speak to a doctor, get familiar with all possible signs of depression and treat them as early as possible.
Help them live a dignified life.
Physical limitations and medical issues are primary challenges in old age. Issues like dementia, incontinence, etc., take center stage. These diseases, especially incontinence, can take away their dignity and make them feel ashamed and helpless.
But thanks to modern technology, we have help for every possible problem. For instance, you can easily tackle the incontinence issue by using adult pullups. They save plenty of embarrassment and lend dignity and confidence to the elders.
Likewise, there are plenty of technological gadgets and apps that make their life easy. Things like heart monitors, intercoms, alert systems, web chatting apps, etc., are just a few examples that help them lead a respectable and independent life without compromising their security and self-esteem.
Foster a Sense of Usefulness and Purpose
Being needed is a reinforcement that people of all ages crave. Seniors are no exception. Most often, they are dismissed as having nothing to offer. It makes seniors feel like a burden, and they lose their sense of purpose.
But things can never be that bleak if we adopt the right attitude and approach. Seniors might have physical and mental limitations, but they have rich experience, patience, and capabilities. Many seniors are pretty fit physically and mentally. Hence, you must always look for ways to make them contributing members of the household.
Seniors must always be encouraged to do tasks within their capabilities. It could be chopping vegetables, folding clothes, creating shopping lists, etc. You can even take their inputs in making a few home and business decisions. They can also accompany you while running errands. Keeping them involved respectfully gives them a sense of purpose and a feeling of being needed and loved.
Help Them Stay Active in all Aspects
Staying active implies several fronts. All of them cumulatively help keep seniors genuinely alive and happy. They are:
Physically Active
Remaining physically active is the key to a quality life even in older age. Even mild exercise works wonders with seniors. Walking, yoga exercises, meditation, etc., are something that seniors can do effortlessly. It helps them feel good about themselves and also aids them to tackle all old age issues and health problems in a much better way and lead a more independent life.
Mentally Engaged
It is essential to exercise your mind as much as your body. Seniors should be encouraged to engage in challenging and fun brain games in their excess free time. Today, you are spoiled for choice with online games like Trivia, word puzzles, crosswords, Sudoku, etc. They help keep cognitive functions sharp.
On similar lines, seniors should also be encouraged to engage in hobbies and learn new skills of their interest, like knitting, crocheting, reading, writing, cooking, baking, painting, etc. These keep them mentally engaged and also boost their confidence, self-esteem, and happiness.
Socially Active
Isolation and loneliness are the root causes of many problems of elders, particularly depression. Helping and encouraging seniors to stay connected and engage socially can go a long way in leading a satisfying life.
For it, you can arrange regular visits from friends and families, especially if the senior has mobility issues. Senior activity centers and activity clubs are also mushrooming at a rapid pace. You can encourage the elderly to socialize and have fun there. Various video and chats apps can also help them stay connected and engaged. Encouraging them to use the internet can be a boon with miraculous effects.
Likewise, you also see various senior service centers coming up. Seniors can offer their services as role models, companions, mentors, etc., to young children of busy parents. It helps seniors make a meaningful contribution to society and also earn little money.
It is also vital that you spend some quality time with the elderly. It works wonders for the well-being of aging people.
Wrapping up
Gone are when old age was marred by helplessness, severe health problems, loneliness, and other negative feelings. With the right attitude, approach, and proactive actions, we can quickly provide our elders, a happy and satisfying life.
