Aging successfully is something that you can help your senior to accomplish. What that means for your senior might be different than you expect, especially in terms of small decisions she can start making now to be just a tiny bit healthier. It’s always better to make smaller changes rather than large ones because that eases your senior into the new habits.
Keep Generally Healthy Habits in Mind
Everyone knows how to be healthier, even if they don’t necessarily adopt those habits. Things like limiting cigarettes and secondhand smoke, limiting alcohol, and eating a healthy diet are definitely on the list. Getting regular exercise and keeping an eye on chronic health issues is also important. Make a list with your senior of the habits she wants to adopt and make a plan for achieving her goals.
Work on Methods for Mental Stimulation
Mental stimulation is just as important for good health. Hobbies, activities, and social relationships are all a part of being mentally stimulated. Help your elderly family member to find or to revisit the various things that help her to keep her brain active and engaged. Make a point of adding these into her weekly schedule as you’re able.
Find Ways to Promote Independence and Dignity
It can be really difficult for your senior to deal with the fact that she’s having more difficulty with certain tasks and situations. Helping her is something you definitely are going to do. You want to be careful not to help too much or at the wrong times. Make sure that she knows you’re there for her but set up a system in which she lets you know she’s ready and willing for you to help her.
Solve Problems as They Crop Up
Be proactive as a caregiver, too. When situations start to look as if they’re going to need a resolution, start working on that right away. If you wait, the situation may get farther out of hand than either you or your senior really want. As you become more adept at knowing what to do and when, it’s going to be a lot easier for you to solve those problems before they start to feel overwhelming.
Aging successfully looks different for everyone, of course. Talk with your senior about her goals for aging and reassess periodically, especially when big changes have happened. From there you can change course if you need to do so.
If you or an aging loved one is considering caregivers in Park City, MT, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare Billings today at 406-839-2390.
