Lifestyle Changes that Help Older Americans Thrive

Lifestyle Changes that Help Older Americans Thrive

As the years march on, many things get easier. Retirement can mean much more time for the things you love, including time with family, enjoying hobbies, and simply resting. Wisdom can take the stress out of some relationships, easing your communication process as you come to understand how to better relate with your loved ones.

Beyond each of these benefits, older age comes with new challenges, as well. Aches and pains may increase, and sometimes you might struggle to remember simple tasks or the names for things that once came easily. These senior moments are just a minor bump in the road, but there are things you can do to help you thrive as you grow older. Some of these lifestyle changes are in the realm of simple modifications to the way you live, while others are more fundamental changes to your way of life as you may choose to age in place.

The following lifestyle changes may come as second nature once they become habitual, so be sure to give them time to take hold in your life.

 

Simple Changes to Diet and Exercise

Two of the most beneficial diets for older adults are the Mediterranean diet and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. Although the idea of embarking on a new diet might sound like too much for you or even something you are not interested in doing, these diets are remarkably easy to implement and are quite delicious. Each of them emphasizes reduced saturated fats and bumping up the healthy fats such as olive oil. Of course they are both replete with fresh fruits and vegetables, whether cooked or raw in salads. General portion control is one of the essential features of healthy nutrition in older age. Eating more than we need for a day can lead to excess in our bodies that complicates health. Nutrition is only one piece of the puzzle, and exercise is essential to living a thriving life as a senior. Two forms of exercise have been shown to be beneficial in older age. Limited bursts of moderate to difficult exertion are good for the heart, muscles, bones, and respiratory system, and these kinds of exercise include jogging, swimming, and cycling. However, in addition to “workouts” exercise can be incorporated into your life in meaningful ways without ever visiting the gym. Walking when you otherwise might have driven a car, taking the stairs rather than the elevator, and making time for some activity after meals are all ways to weave exercise into your lifestyle in quite enjoyable ways.

 

Incorporate Assistive Technology

The thought of bringing new technology into your home might feel scary at first, but you might be surprised at the benefits to your life from some simple technological advancements in the home. For instance, those who are hard of hearing or who have hearing loss can benefit from a video doorbell. This device captures the front door of the home with a video camera, and monitors can be placed throughout the home. If you tend to spend time in a place far from the front door or the doorbell ringer, a video doorbell will not only play a sound closer to your location but you can also see who is at your front door before you answer it, a welcome safety measure for some people. Other assistive technology can help you live an independent life while the body comes up with new limitations to the senses or cognition.

 

Structural Changes

Once you have taken some of these simple lifestyle steps to help you thrive, you may find that further assistance is needed in the home. Structural changes can be made to help you climb stairs or to walk from one part of the house to the other with ease. Motorized scooters are useful not only in public spaces such as stores but also closer to home. If you feel like structural changes to your home might help you “age in place,” raise these concerns with your loved ones or other seniors. Medicare or personal insurance can help with these structural changes in some instances, making it possible to live independently as long as possible in life.

 

Swift Audiology

Making adjustments to our lives may seem complicated, but when it comes to hearing, it doesn’t have to be. If you’ve noticed changes in your hearing and you’re ready for a hearing test, contact us at Swift Audiology today. We provide comprehensive hearing health services to ensure that you are hearing at your best.