Managing Senior Emotional Health
Emotional health is crucial for a senior to focus on when they are aging in place and living at home for as long as they possibly can. Learning about emotional health and how to care for emotional health is a good way to control stress levels, boost quality of life, and overall be happier. Here are some of the best things home care can do to encourage emotional health while caring for a senior.
Encourage Them to be Social
Emotional health can be boosted in a variety of ways and one of them is to be as social as possible. This means a senior should be getting out in the community even if they live alone. Going to the gym, church, movies, or local events can be a great way to meet new people. But also if they already have friends it’s important to encourage them to meet those friends at least once a month or more. If your loved one needs help with transportation this is something that home care can help with. Seeing family and friends both inside and outside of their home is one of the best ways to support emotional health. Seeing people will help limit social isolation which can be something many seniors are at risk of.
Exercise Every Day
Although it seems like something simple to do, moving your body every day as a senior, no matter what your age is, is one of the best ways to focus on emotional health. By moving around and being outside they are boosting the natural happy chemicals that occur with that movement. That is the best way to maintain their body strength, happiness, and overall support emotional health. Home care can help remind a senior to go on walks and may even attend walks with them to ensure they remain safe. The more physical your loved one remains the more likely they are to remain independent which is so important for aging in place.
Get Them to Volunteer
Having a sense of responsibility and something they enjoy doing is crucial as they age. They may not be able to do much volunteer work but there are easy things they can help do. They can crochet hats for the homeless, volunteer to hand out food and necessary items, and just find smaller ways to support their community. This is a good way to feel a sense of purpose even when they are retired and have no job. Emotional health is linked to so many different things, it’s important to explore different options.
Encourage Hobbies
All seniors should have hobbies they like to do. This can be painting, bird watching, crocheting, or anything else that sparks their interest. It is one of the best ways to stay entertained and keep busy throughout the day. When a senior has something to focus on it can be a good way to eliminate stress and give them something they love to do which is good for emotional health. Home care can help encourage them to try new things and even bring in new activities for them.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care in Montauk, NY, call the caring staff at Artful Home Care today at (631) 685-5001
