How To Stay Safe And Healthy In Your Senior Years | Be Wise Professor

Getting older is a long process that can sometimes be challenging. With so many changes to your body and mind, your health and safety will become more important than ever to prioritise and look after.

However, staying healthy and safe in your senior years could look a little different to how it did when you were young, fit and working a full-time job. What does it take for an older adult to protect themselves and take care of their health? Here are some important considerations to make. Keep in mind that everyone is different and will have different needs, but these are some ideas.

 

A Medical Alert System

As you age, your bone density decreases and your muscles grow weaker. This impacts your balance and strength, putting you at a higher risk of slips and falls and seriously injuring yourself. 

If you’re living alone, a medical alert device is a great addition to any security measures you might have in place. These devices will allow you to immediately alert someone to come and help you, should you fall and hurt yourself at home. Some devices even work on the go and can protect you when out on errands. 

 

A Modified Home

Staying at home and ageing in place is the best option for many seniors. It allows you to hold onto your independence and remain where you feel most comfortable – in your own space. 

However, not all homes are designed to suit various needs you may have. If you decide to remain in your home, it may require some modifications that a family member can help you with. This includes railings and ramps for assisted movement or a wheelchair, a bed rail, bathroom modifications and whatever other modifications you may need to make your daily living more manageable. 

 

A Fulltime Caretaker

If you require more constant help, but still wish to remain living in your own home, a great option might be to hire a full-time caretaker to assist you from day to day. A caretaker will be able to help you through daily tasks, assist with medical care, cooking and cleaning and even provide you with company – another important part of your health. 

 

An Assisted Living Facility

If you require daily assistance and don’t mind leaving the comfort of your home, moving to an assisted living facility is a great way to ensure your safety as you age. There, you’ll have independence, but you’ll also have constant and immediate access to care and assistance 24/7.

Assisted living homes are designed to be modified to your needs, but most facilities will still allow you to decorate and furnish your space as you wish – making it feel a little more like home.

These facilities are a great option for someone living with chronic illnesses who may struggle with daily tasks. 

 

A Helpful Friend or Family Member

Whether you’re in your own home or living in a care facility, we all need someone close to us to offer a little care and support from time to time. Getting help with small tasks like grocery shopping, preparing a meal or dealing with budgeting can go a long way for an older adult, and really make a difference.

Mental health is an important part of overall wellbeing, and knowing that someone close to you has got your back can do wonders in this sense.

If you don’t have someone like this in your life – don’t despair! It’s never too late to meet new friends, and even just having someone to talk to can be enough on a difficult day. 

 

A Healthy and Balanced Diet

We are what we eat, so we can’t be healthy senior citizens if we don’t eat like it. Relying on heavily processed foods and excessive sugar can be tempting when you’re no longer trying to keep up a great physique to impress potential dates. But what we put in our bodies does so much more than determine how we look.

While weight management is important, a healthy diet will also determine many other facets of your health: the condition of your heart, bones and muscles, your digestive system and your bladder, even your eyesight and hearing are all impacted by what you eat.

Focus on a simple, whole-food-based diet for optimal health. Include more protein and vegetables, and make sure you’re getting enough fibre to keep your digestive system running smoothly. Limit your sugar intake, but don’t be afraid to enjoy a piece of cake from time to time.

 

An Exercise Routine

Physical activity may become harder and harder as you age, but it’s important to keep activity as a part of your daily routine in whichever capacity you can comfortably manage. This will help with weight management and overall health, giving you the strength to live the longest and happiest life you can in your golden years. 

Whether you’re lifting weights in the gym to maintain muscle mass, or simply going for a daily walk to get some movement in your day, physical activity will keep you feeling younger and stronger and more mentally capable too. 

 

A Stimulating Hobby

Keeping your mind busy and active will play a major role in your overall well-being. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and keeping yourself occupied and stimulated each day will contribute to your feeling happier overall.

Pick a hobby that aligns with your passions and can give you something to work on or work towards each week. Some ideas include gardening, painting, knitting, cooking, building models, puzzles, a form of exercise you enjoy or playing a musical instrument.

 

An Active Social Life

Yet another important aspect of mental wellbeing is having social interactions. Humans are social beings and we crave connection in our daily lives. Spending time with family members, or meeting new friends at a club for an activity you enjoy is a great way to factor social time into your week.

While it’s fine to enjoy some time on your own, isolating yourself can be damaging to your mental health.