5 Great New Year's Resolutions for Seniors

By Jamie Shapiro | December 31, 2015 | Comments Off on 5 Great New Year's Resolutions for Seniors

Senior Care in Des Plaines IL

Most people look forward to the New Year because it is a fresh start for them to reach new goals. While most New Year’s resolutions are made with all the best intentions, when the goals are unrealistic, they are often broken by springtime. This doesn’t mean resolutions shouldn’t be made. Five of the best resolutions for seniors to make can be found here.

1.  Eat healthy

What we eat has a direct correlation to our health.  Too much sugar, fast food, and red meat can be devastating to the body, and particularly for seniors who are not as fit and strong as they once were.  For this year’s New Year’s resolution, try eating healthier according to a doctor’s instructions, which will most likely encourage a senior to eat plenty of fruit, vegetables, and fish, as well as drink plenty of water.

2. Stay active

Did you know that only 20 minutes of physical activity each day, such as a short walk, can produce significant health benefits? According to studies from American Trails, seniors can reduce their potential of developing heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes if they remain active. A great way for seniors to stay active and have fun is to join a gym or even start a walking club at the local senior living community.

3.  Get help

There are many seniors who don’t want to admit they can’t do everything for themselves. However, the New Year may be the ideal time to admit that help is needed. Consider having a senior care provider come to the house to offer assistance with day-to-day tasks such as light cleaning, transportation, meal prep, grooming, companionship, and more.

4.  Stay social

Volunteering is a great way to find things to do with other seniors. For example, seniors can join a social group, book club, participate in aqua fitness or even yoga. There are countless ways for seniors to remain social. The simple act of getting out, identifying interests and making new contacts is one of the best ways to become immersed in an active lifestyle in the New Year.

5.  Challenge the mind

In addition to remaining active physically and socially, it is also important for seniors to remain mentally active. This means they should challenge their mind daily and participate in crossword puzzles and other ‘thinking’ activities. This will help to reduce the effects of memory loss and help the senior feel better about being able to more easily remember people, places and things they encounter. Other ways to keep the mind engaged includes joining a book club, finding different types of brain games, enrolling in a language class or answering trivia online.

If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care in Des Plaines, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 943-3786. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette and the surrounding areas.

Source
https://www.americantrails.org/resources/health/wayoflife.html

https://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/850491/5-anti-aging-new-years-resolutions-for-seniors

Jamie Shapiro
Latest posts by Jamie Shapiro (see all)
Posted in Senior Care in Des Plaines IL and tagged