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Important tips to caring for your health as an older adult

Older adults should care for their health and well-being as much as in younger people. Fresh air and a healthy dose of vitamin D are important for every one whether young or of a mature age. Being healthy has a significant impact on coping with day-to-day challenges and fighting-off illnesses.

Looking after your health is important at any age. Lots of us change as we grow older and it is how we deal with those life events that helps us stay healthy.

  • children grow up and leave home
  • reach retirement age
  • lose of a spouse, family member or friend
  • physical changes – vision, hearing, skin tone, hair lose
  • the dependence on a home carer

Entering your retirement years should not define you as being dependent

  • stay physically and socially active
  • learn to adapt to the changes you are going through
  • find new hobbies and interests

Dealing with fears, copping with the lose of a spouse and how take care of yourself late in life can all become quite overwhelming. There is no magic formular on how to manage all the events of our older years, but research has proven time and again that frequent social interaction and being active are of huge importance. Here we touch on the recipe for a healthy lifestyle in your older years.

How to stay healthy in old age

  • prevent illness by eating a healthy diet rich in minerals and vitamins,
  • regular exercise,
  • deal with fears and anxiety in a positive way – take action, discuss your fears and ask for help to put corrective steps in place,
  • keep your mind active – crosswords, reading, board games, conversation, charity work,

Another key ingredient to healthy ageing is to have a purpose in life, a reason to wake up in the morning. As you age you will lose many things that kept you going.

  • rekindled past friendships
  • find a new hobby that interests you
  • volunteer at a local event or charity shop
  • visit museums, places of interest or Heritage sites
  • join a club or exercise class

You are never too old to get active and boost your health. Even if you lived an unhealthy lifestyle in the past it is not too late to start a new chapter and care for your body to add life to your years. It will help sharpen your memory, boost your immune system, improve sleep, increase energy levels and just generally make you feel better. When you feel good it is amazing how much it does to our confidence and ability to deal with challenging situations. Walking is a wonderful way to get active and it can incorporate social interaction. All you need is a comfortable, supportive pair of shoes – no other equipment needed!

Laughter – the greatest gift

Find reason to smile and laugh – the best medicine which helps us to get through tough times.

Stay connected with family and friends

As we get older and children leave home to start a life of their own, staying connected becomes more of a challenge and with that our supportive network changes. Staying connected with friends and family has the greatest impact on your health – alongside exercise. Maintaining social interactions and a support network will help you to cope during times of loss, illness or anxiety. Striving to stay in contact with friends is the perfect excuse to get out and about. Is there someone on your street of a similar age you could build a friendship with? If illness or disability creates a growing challenge to socialise, is this perhaps a time to consider a home carer? Companionship is a service offered – they could engage with you to provide much needed social interaction.

How good are your computer skills? Getting connected on social media could offer you the chance to stay connected.

Tips to eating well to stay healthy

As you age your metabolism will start to slow down and your taste buds will change too, which can affect your appetite. Healthy eating is even more important to maintain your energy levels:

  • Eat fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods – fuel to keep going
  • drink water or herbal teas to avoid dehydration – even if you don’t feel thirsty you should make a point of drinking fluids regularly throughout the day.
  • Meals are always more enjoyable when eaten with someone else – if you live alone you could invite friends over occasionally or set-up a care plan for a home care worker to provide companionship over a mealtime.

Keep your brain active

Keeping your brain active is as important as your body. Creativity can prevent cognitive and memory decline. Being active and socialising are so beneficial to cognitive functioning – so the more you do the better:

  • puzzles, board games, follow new and challenging recipes when baking or preparing a meal, crosswords and reading.
  • Learn a new skill – computer, art, sewing. Taking up a classroom learning skill will also boost social interactions.

This is a broad overview of the challenge to follow a healthy-life style to improve your quality of life as you embrace your older years. We hope you have found it motivating.

Companionship is a key ingredient to coping with our more mature years. If you are struggling to get out to meet people and socialise, Novus Care companionship services help to provide much needed peace of mind for family members who may not be able to be with you as much as they would like due to work and other commitments. We also provide assistance with day trips or help you to engage in social activities such as attending local clubs or meeting with friends, all with the comfort of knowing that your home care worker is on hand should you need any assistance.

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