Healthy aging encompasses multiple aspects of wellness, including eating well and staying active. In addition, it includes having regular social interaction with other residents and the community at large.
Practitioners identified many facilitators of healthy aging, such as having a trustworthy relationship with healthcare providers and program sustainability. However, they also noted barriers such as cultural factors and insufficient resources.
Nutrition
Nutrition for seniors is an essential concern as they age because nutrient requirements tend to change. Getting more certain nutrients, like potassium to maintain healthy blood pressure and magnesium for bone health, is essential for maintaining cognitive health and preventing heart disease and cancer.
Many senior assisted living communities offer various meal options to help meet your loved one’s nutritional needs. They are also careful to consider food sensitivities and allergies when planning meals.
A regular diet filled with wholesome foods, water, and plenty of fiber promotes a healthy digestive system. Eating more plant-based proteins and healthy fats from foods like avocados, nuts, seeds, olive oil, and whole grains is advised for seniors. These meals’ vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants help prevent diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease. They are also high in dietary fiber. This helps with regularity and provides a sense of fullness.
Physical Activity
Physical wellness is a critical component of healthy aging, and seniors can participate in various recreational and social activities that keep them active. Regular exercise improves sleep quality, reducing the risk of severe health issues and helping seniors feel energized.
But many seniors need more exercise, with CDC data showing that 27% of adults over 50 don’t perform physical activities outside their jobs or household chores. To motivate older adults to exercise, it’s essential to help them connect their fitness goals with what matters most to them — like being able to play with grandchildren or continue to enjoy hobbies.
Assisted living communities, like Westminster Woods, provide plenty of opportunities to move your body and socialize through group exercise classes like cardio drumming, tai chi, and yoga. By making these exercises accessible for seniors with varying fitness levels, they can see physical activity as a way to improve in areas where they struggle.
Mental Health
As people age, their bodies and brains experience changes that may lead to mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression. These conditions can impact a senior’s ability to live well, and they also can interfere with physical health by decreasing energy levels, resulting in poor sleep and weight loss.
Many CCRCs and senior living communities offer a range of programs to improve their residents’ mental health. Often, this includes access to fitness classes and other physical activities that can reduce stress and fatigue. In addition to helping seniors improve their strength and balance, these activities can lower their risk of falls, which can result in significant injuries.
Other services include regular counseling, spiritual support, and other forms of social interaction proven to improve mental health. Assisted living communities also offer meditation and other wellness practices that promote mindfulness, which can help with various medical issues. This includes reducing chronic pain, heart disease, and other health problems.
Socialization
Assisted living communities are designed to promote wellness in their residents, not just physical health but also emotional and social well-being. They provide opportunities to improve nutrition, stay physically active, learn something new, and develop strong bonds with family members and friends.
They can join hobby clubs or exercise classes like yoga, tai chi, and dance. They can volunteer or work a job, which gives them pride and a sense of purpose. They can enjoy meals in a restaurant-style setting with fellow residents and team members.
They can also spend time with their family and friends, whether they visit during scheduled visits or through a phone call. This is important for seniors because loneliness and isolation can lead to serious health issues. It takes time to break into existing friend groups, so it’s essential for families to encourage socialization but to do so gently. It’s always challenging to be the new kid on the block.