Health and being physically and socially active can help older people live longer, happier, and more fulfilling lives. This is essential because, as people age, the likelihood of becoming socially isolated and physically unfit increases, which can lead to physical and mental disorders.
Making the right lifestyle changes can transform a person’s health. One study found that a healthier diet and regular exercise significantly reduce the risk of diabetes in people over 60, while another showed that even moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, decreases stress and anxiety and improves mood in older women.
It is important to note that health is not achieved through extreme exercise and strict diets. Rather, wellness encompasses physical, social, emotional, and occupational health. It is about finding personal satisfaction in daily activities, interacting regularly with others, and being able to continue an active lifestyle into advanced age. Actively pursuing wellness helps people age better and maintain their independence and enthusiasm for life.
Thus, encouraging wellness in older people is vital. If you have an older family member, you can help them by guiding them through daily physical and social activities. Regular exercise is an excellent starting point. Walking and doing light exercises such as stretching and crunches are great for strengthening muscles and improving flexibility and balance. Being physically active also improves mood by chasing away lethargy and idleness.
Nurses can also help older people by establishing an exercise plan with realistic long-term goals. The CDC recommends at least 150 minutes of exercise per week for adults aged 65 and older.
If you truly want to feel like you are making a difference by promoting wellness and helping older people on a daily basis, you can pursue an ABSN program at Holy Family. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you can apply to an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program today. This program will teach you the theories of aging and help you understand how certain physiological and mental factors impact individuals as they age.
Nurses can also promote health by encouraging older people to adopt healthier eating habits as part of a balanced diet. Poor eating habits can increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, as well as depression. Foods rich in minerals and vitamins are very important for people over 60, even though their energy needs decrease. Trying new cuisines and dishes is also essential to wellness, as it broadens the mind. These meals can also serve as social events with family and friends.
This is another aspect of health that is often overlooked. Social wellness can be just as important as physical condition for the well-being of older people, as they are more likely to lose touch with others and become isolated after retirement. Spending time with others and creating new happy memories as you age will reduce the chances of becoming lonely. You can encourage older people to stay socially active by helping them discover new hobbies and cultivating their interests in new areas such as sports or the arts.
Communicating with family is also essential. If you cannot visit someone in person, try to make regular video calls via Zoom or FaceTime. Older people can become isolated and anxious if they do not see or speak to their loved ones, especially if they no longer have a spouse at home. You can truly increase their social interaction by encouraging them to volunteer or provide help to a charity or another cause, even if it is just once a week for a short period.
Being intellectually curious as you age can also sharpen the mind and help people find deeper meaning in life. Whether through faith or by avidly reading fiction and nonfiction books, encouraging adults to improve themselves and enrich their knowledge can reduce the mental decline often associated with the later years of life. This is true for mental health as well. People who have a positive mindset and who are aware of and accept their feelings, whether good or bad, are often more able to be active and happy on a daily basis.
Other aspects of health include individuality and dignity. Older people have been independent in mind and spirit for a long time, unlike children, so they generally place greater value on maintaining a sense of who they are. The people around them can help by offering the support they need to make personal decisions and respecting what they say and want to do.
Nurses who care for older people can support a person’s independence and identity by giving them the opportunity to choose their clothing, meals, and activities throughout the day. Making sure their most treasured belongings are within reach can also reassure them. The key is to respect a person’s beliefs and interests and to offer guidance and support when needed. Wellness in older people is often a matter of seeing them as unique individuals with their own goals and desires.
Sleep quality and rest are other elements of health. Older people need to get about seven hours of sleep each night and have the opportunity to take naps if needed. This will reduce instances of fatigue and irritability and provide adults with the energy needed to approach each day with a positive mindset. Regular hearing and vision checkups will also help people maintain their senses well as they age. By promoting all these aspects of wellness, individuals will have a better chance of living joyful and rewarding lives, even as they grow older.
