4 Ways to Improve Quality of Life for Seniors

At no point should a senior citizen be content with mere existence. Instead, a senior citizen’s life must be filled with quality elements that enhance their overall wellbeing. Considering that poor mental health affects over 6 million senior citizens, it is critical to impact their lives positively. How much of a difference have you made in the life of an aged person around you? If you have no idea or experience, this article will help you gain insight into what you can and should do.

Regular medical checks

It is no surprise that senior citizens are usually more prone to medical conditions than younger people. Their bodies tend to lose the optimum function of vital organs, causing them to function at a lower capacity than they did in younger years. This eventually leads to a compromised immune system.

For example, hearing loss is prevalent among senior citizens aged sixty-five and over. According to statistics, 1 in 3 senior citizens in this age range have hearing impairment caused by old age. It explains why senior citizens aged seventy wear new hearing aids for the first time.

Engage them in useful activities

Seniors tend to feel bored and unwanted while doing nothing at home, leading to high depression rates. Therefore, you should engage them in tasks that fulfill this inherent need. Simple chores such as folding laundry, taking out the mail, organizing drawers, or even writing the household grocery list, are few examples of things they can do.

It doesn’t entail too much physical exertion, making each one an ideal task for the older generation. Do not be worried if the seniors fail to perform these tasks to your requirements. The most important thing is making them feel helpful around the house.

Help them stay socially connected

It can get pretty lonely for seniors, especially when you have a day job. At that age, they require physical, emotional, and social connections more than ever. Did you know that senior citizens stand a higher chance of developing dementia when social connections are non-existent? You can prevent this from happening by doing the following:

• Encourage them to attend social events such as birthday parties of their peers.
• Help them visit senior centers and talk with aged care consultancy services.
• Get them involved in any leisure pursuit (hobby) that involves people. i.e., charity organizations, volunteerism.

Consider in-home care

Sometimes, you need expert hands to handle your aging loved ones. This has nothing to do with neglecting your responsibilities as a relative. Instead, it is an acknowledgment of needing professional help to cater to senior citizens’ needs. Apart from the several benefits, professional caregivers can be your backup for the following tasks:

• Mobility assistance
• In-house companionship
• In-house medication reminders

Professional senior care ensures that your loved one is getting the care that they need while giving you a much-needed break to recharge your batteries. After all, your loved one needs you to be as happy and as healthy as possible. It also gives you the chance to look into the places and see what is the most suitable. For example, you might be looking for a place that has care for dementia patients.

In conclusion, growing well into the golden years is a blessing not many people have experienced. Therefore, once you have senior citizens in your hands, you have the opportunity to do everything you would love others to do for you if you were in their shoes.