Full Disclosure: Clicking on these links could mean a tiny commission for me, at no extra cost to you.
There is no greater feeling than seeing your senior loved one lead a comfortable, happy life. Amid the many mental and health hurdles that arise with age, you have actions you can take to make them enjoy a high-quality life. This requires a comprehensive approach, from paying close attention to their emotional and psychological needs to seeking professional help. Below are tips families can consider to boost senior mental health.
Encourage Physical Activity
Regardless of age, it’s prudent to remain physically active, which benefits mental and physical health. Help your loved one know which exercises to try and craft a perfect workout routine depending on their lifestyle. A senior will enjoy enhanced cognitive function and mood through improved circulation and better hormone regulation.
Start with simple activities such as walking, gentle yoga, and gardening, and, with time, introduce them to strength training and light cardio workouts. The workouts also help them boost their confidence through proper weight management.
You can also sign them up for online exercise programs, such as Yoga Download. This gives them access to hundreds of different types of gentle yoga classes that they can do right from home.
Seek Professional Nursing Services
If you feel overwhelmed with caregiving or keeping your ailing senior loved one safe at home, considering nursing services is an effective way to do that. These professionals will administer medication, care for wounds, monitor vital signs, provide physical and respiratory therapy, and manage pain.
Professional nursing services may ensure your loved one adheres to their medical treatment plan to avoid unnecessary hospital stays. With the assistance of services like the Husky Senior Care team, your older loved one can maintain their independence while receiving first-rate care at home.
Consider Mindfulness
Mindfulness and relaxation methods are crucial for maintaining the well-being of elderly family members. Introducing techniques, such as meditation, and controlled breathing, equips seniors with essential tools to handle stress and anxiety. Families can create supportive environments that cultivate inner peace and emotional strength in seniors through these practices.
Also, adopting relaxation techniques such as gradual muscle relaxations or aromatherapy enhances a calm atmosphere and improves sleep quality, contributing to overall mental well-being.
Prioritize Nutrition
The neurological system is highly dependent on a nutrient-rich diet to function well. As you prioritize a balanced diet, target the foods known to benefit the brain, such as those rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Good examples include fatty fish like salmon and tuna.
This should also involve giving up unhealthy eating habits such as processed food and beverages with added sugar. If they’re dependent on alcohol, guide them on how to attain sobriety through rehabilitative care. These efforts will favor the development and health of the cells, reducing the chances of cognitive decline.
Stay Connected
As energy levels and mobility issues kick in during the golden years, it’s common to find seniors disconnecting themselves from social life. When this continues for a long time, it can result in loneliness, which can trigger anxiety and depression. As a family, the right thing to do is to ensure you’re present in their lives to offer the much-needed emotional support.
Encourage your loved one to stay engaged in community events and keep their social connections open. Train them on how to embrace technology, like leveraging social media platforms and video calling. This helps close the mobility gap and allow them to socialize widely.
Consider Pure Neuro
As a family, you have a great duty to ensure your seniors lead a happy life full of contentment. A sure way to achieve this is by ensuring their mental health is perfect. There are several ways you can ascertain this, from guiding them to lead a healthy lifestyle to seeking professional assistance. The important thing is to remain consistent.
