Quality of life is important for health and well-being
It’s not enough to just be alive. Good quality of life is especially important for older adults who are dealing with chronic health conditions and major life changes.
Feeling satisfied and fulfilled is just as important for overall well-being as getting regular check-ups from the doctor.
In fact, having a positive view of life can help seniors have more energy, less stress, better appetite, and prevent cognitive decline.
We share 5 ways to help older adults improve their quality of life.
5 ways to improve quality of life for seniors
1. Treat depression
Depression late in life affects 7 million people aged 65+.
It can be caused by stressful life events like retirement or losing a spouse. It could also be caused by a medical disease or medication side effects.
To improve quality of life, it’s important to recognize the signs of depression and get help from a doctor, psychologist, therapist, or counselor.
2. Help them feel useful and needed
From the very young to the very old, everyone wants to be useful.
When you care for an older adult, do your best to make them feel like you still need their help and that they’re not a burden.
Even if they can’t do these tasks efficiently or perfectly, that’s ok. What’s important is that they’re contributing.
Ask for help with tasks they can handle, such as:
- Folding laundry
- Organizing drawers
- Opening the mail
- Writing grocery or household to-do lists
- Clipping coupons
- Keeping you up to date on the news
- Prepping dinner – for example, trimming vegetables
- Going with you to help shop for groceries or run other errands
3. Encourage regular physical activity
Regular physical activity, no matter how gentle, helps keeps both body and mind feeling balanced and positive.
Physically, exercise boosts the immune system, lowers blood pressure, improves sleep quality, improves heart health, relieves anxiety, improves strength and stamina, and more.
4. Keep them mentally active
Crossword puzzles, sudoku, other brain games, reading, and writing are all great activities for mental stimulation.
Having a sharp and active mind improves overall well-being.
5. Help them stay connected with family, friends, and community
Seniors who are isolated and lonely have shorter lives and are at greater risk for dementia.
Prevent that by encouraging and helping your older adult stay connected with their community.
Some suggestions:
- Arrange for family and friends to visit, eat with, or take them out regularly
- Arrange transportation so they can go to senior centers
- Encourage them to attend any parties – birthday, graduation, holiday, etc.
- Get them involved in a hobby
- Encourage them to volunteer with church, community, or charity organizations
Recommended for you:
- Chair Yoga for Seniors: Reduce Pain and Improve Health
- Free Crosswords for Seniors: Large Print Puzzles
- 9 Enjoyable Activities for Seniors with Limited Mobility
By DailyCaring Editorial Team
Luis jaramillo
Tengo muchos
Cliente senior people. Tengo una compañía de construcción ,
Lo que yo siento con nuestros abuelito es ellos necesitan
Estar más conectados con su comunidad
Creo que los town debieran crear una espacio donde los abuelos puedan compartir una o dos ceses semanales
Al mismo tiempo es sacarlos a las ciudad o lugares de importantes para ellos creo qué hay muchas cosas que podrían mejorar la calidad de vida de los abuelos
Hay muchos joven que son voluntarios. Y
Sería de bajo costo necesitan rentar un bus para el viaje
DailyCaring
Thank you for sharing these ideas!
Billy O Boyles
All good suggestions…if the senior is not wheelchair bound and demented. That’s where I’d like help. How are we to have the same objectives and seek the same outcome for people who are immobile and have significant cognitive impairment…
DailyCaring
We’ve got some articles that might be helpful for these situations:
— 9 Entertaining Activities for Low Vision Seniors with Alzheimer’s or Dementia https://dailycaring.com/9-activities-for-low-vision-seniors-with-alzheimers-or-dementia/
— 9 Enjoyable Activities for Seniors with Limited Mobility https://dailycaring.com/9-enjoyable-activities-for-seniors-with-limited-mobility/
— Entertaining Seniors at Home: Watch Free Live Nature Cameras https://dailycaring.com/entertaining-seniors-at-home-watch-free-live-nature-cameras/
Hopefully these suggestions will be useful or they’ll inspire additional creative ideas based on your older adult’s preferences and abilities.
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Robert Johnson
I think that pain is a reason that so many people do feel worse as they grow older having to deal with joint pain and maybe even emotional pain for lost of things and also just not being able to do two things that used to could do is a factor in making you feel worse and looking back in the Milling work you could do that you can’t do no more and that’s all over the factors but I think I believe in God and these items
DailyCaring
That’s a great point. Untreated pain (at any age) significantly decreases quality of life. And that definitely includes emotional pain as well.
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[…] the very young to the very old, everyone wants to be useful,” says DailyCaring.com, “When you care for an older adult, do your best to make them feel like you still need their help […]