When you are caring for your elderly loved one, there are many things that you should be paying attention to. One of the most important things you should watch out for is your elderly loved one’s mental health. The great news is that there are some positive ways you and their elderly care providers can help with their mental health.
Proper Exercise
Did you know that even daily walks with your elderly loved one can help to improve their mental health? Even light exercise such as bits of cardio or swimming can improve your loved one’s mental health, as well. Talk to your loved one’s doctor about what types of exercises would be safe for them to do. Incorporate these exercises into their weekly or even their daily routines.
Continued Education
Mental health can also be improved through continued education. There are many ways that your elderly loved one can continue to learn. They can read books, study different subjects online, take free courses online or courses at a local college, and much more. Continued education can help your loved one to continue stimulating their mind – improving both their emotional state and mental health state, as well.
Head Safety
Head injuries can cause mental health issues such as depression, memory loss, and other things, as well. If you are helping to care for your elderly loved one you can be sure they practice proper head safety by wearing a helmet if they are riding a bike and wearing a seatbelt in the vehicle.
Eating a Balanced, Healthy Diet
Your loved one’s mental health can also be improved by eating a balanced, healthy diet. You and their elderly care providers can make sure to get them healthy foods from the grocery store, prepare these meals, and serve them to your elderly loved one. Proper Amount of Sleep
Another way to improve your loved one’s mental health is by making sure they are getting the proper amount of sleep. Elderly adults should be getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night. The problem is that many elderly adults can’t sleep very well. If this is the case for your loved one, talk to their doctor to see what can be done.
These are some of the positive ways that you can help to improve your loved one’s mental health. If you want your loved one to feel better emotionally, mentally, and even physically, start implementing these tips with them today.
Sources
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/older-adults-and-mental-health/index.shtml
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1470658/
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/good-nights-sleep
If you or an aging loved-one are considering elderly care in Centennial, CO, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare today. Call us at (303) 756-9322.
