Older adults who focus on what they can do and find rewarding, rather than any decline in abilities, are happier. According to a study in The Gerontologist, accepting aging and adapting to age-related changes is vital to successful aging and well-being.
“Friends and family, dressmaking, sewing, knitting, gardening, cooking, interior design, decorating, reading, involvement in classic car club and classic cars, our motorhome and traveling, learning new skills and crafts, on-line courses, and anything that takes my fancy.”
According to one study, four of the top five activities most commonly cited by seniors as being their favorites are, by their nature, very active. They include walking and jogging, gardening and yard work, playing sports, and other physical pursuits. But fun takes many different forms.
Anemia (low iron levels) is common in older adults and can cause low energy levels. Eating foods that are rich in iron, like eggs, spinach, and red meat, can help support energy for seniors and fight anemia. Foods with Vitamin B12. B12 is a vitamin that is necessary for high levels of energy.
One way of approaching the needs of your older patients during this pandemic is to break everything down into three basic categories of wellbeing and aging gracefully: physical, mental, and emotional.
What is the most common emotional problem of older adults?
The Significance of Depression Depression, a type of mood disorder, is the most prevalent mental health problem among older adults. It is associated with distress and suffering (4). It also can lead to impairments in physical, mental, and social functioning (4).
In one large study from the Brookings Institute, for example, scientists found happiness was high for 18- to 21-year-olds and then dropped steadily until about age 40. But past middle age, the pattern began to reverse—gradually climbing back up to its highest point at age 98!
Losing physical functions and having to rely on others for daily care is the biggest fear among seniors. According to a 2010 study from the Disabled Living Foundation, more seniors fear losing independence than dying.
It can be a sign of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and mental health conditions. Adults with dementia and Alzheimer's disease often lose motivation for activities or experiences that used to interest them.
How do you make an elderly person feel less lonely?
Encourage relationships with other older adults.
Often, seniors are going through things that younger people — even family caregivers — can't fully understand. Having a support network of peers can combat loneliness in the elderly by offering a safe space to talk about the concerns that come with age.
Older adults are at increased risk for loneliness and social isolation because they are more likely to face factors such as living alone, the loss of family or friends, chronic illness, and hearing loss. Loneliness is the feeling of being alone, regardless of the amount of social contact.
But you should ensure that you are able to keep hobbies that will help you to continually grow throughout your life in terms of money, being in shape and creativity. ... These 3 hobbies were:
Perhaps the senior in your life would be interested in attending a live concert, orchestra or ballet. They might even like to play a well-loved instrument or learn to engage a new one. For a loved one who likes to dance, consider signing them up for ballroom classes or other forms of group dance lessons and gatherings.
