Some people assume that once you reach your senior years, it’s too late to embrace a healthy lifestyle. “What good will it do this late in life?” these people wonder. “Could eating right and exercising really make a difference?” In fact, healthy habits will always be important, no matter what your age. They can improve your body, keep your mind sharp, help you live a longer life, and (my favorite) contribute to your overall happiness. People are living longer now than they have at any other time in history, and if you want to be a part of this thriving older generation, we encourage you to follow the health tips for seniors that we’ve listed below. You won’t regret it!
Health Tips for Seniors
- Exercise regularly. Fitness should be a part of your everyday routine. If you choose activities that you love, make exercise a daily habit, and ask your friends to join you, exercise will become both easy and enjoyable.
- Eat a nutritious diet. A healthy diet can prevent numerous illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and high blood pressure. Focus on colorful fruits and vegetables, plenty of water, and high-fiber foods, and try to avoid foods that are high in fat, sugar, and cholesterol.
- Visit your doctor regularly. In addition to check-ups with your general physician, remember to stop by the dentist, the optometrist, and the audiologist. You should also take advantage of preventative screenings, stay up-to-date on immunizations, and take any medications as prescribed.
- Reduce the risk of falls. Simple falls can put seniors at great risk. To prevent falls, be sure to keep your floor free of clutter, remove loose rugs, and wear well-fitting and supportive shoes. You should also aim to improve your flexibility, balance, and coordination.
- Stop smoking. You don’t need us to tell you that smoking can cause cancer, strokes, and heart failure. Quitting smoking can help you combat aging.
- Maintain a satisfying social life. Social interaction is beneficial to your brain health and overall happiness, so spend time with friends and family whenever you can. You should also consider joining a social group (whether that’s a bridge club, an exercise group, or a church) and connecting with long-distance loved ones through e-mail or Skype.
- Be active within your community. Many seniors feel aimless, bored, and unproductive, so to combat that feeling, try volunteering and giving back to your community. You’ll feel good, you’ll be able to help those in need, and you can even reduce the likelihood of your developing depression and dementia.
- Exercise your mind. Don’t forget about brain health! Playing intellectually-stimulating games like cards, word puzzles, brain teasers, and online games (simply type “brain games” into Google) is both fun and useful. It’s also beneficial to read, write, play music, attend plays, engage in stimulating discussions, and simply stay curious and interested in the world around you!
When you live in an assisted living facility, the staff members make it easy to accomplish many of these healthy living goals. Exercise classes and fitness centers are often available, medications can be safely administered by nurses, transportation is provided for medical appointments, and there is a vibrant social community. So if you want to live longer and feel better, embrace all that your assisted living facility has to offer!
Looking for an assisted living facility in the Midwest? Be sure to check out Hearthside Senior Living Place. Each of our eight retirement communities includes a Health and Wellness program, fitness center, exercise classes, fun events and activities, and healthy food options. To learn more about the program and our commitment to healthy senior living, contact Hearthside Senior Living Place today.