By Julie E 
Photo Credit ( Pixabay )
- Mentor others to leave a legacy for your family
Encouraging elders to think beyond themselves is frequently the best approach for caregivers to help them find pleasure and purpose. This strategy enables them to impart their knowledge and abilities to upcoming generations.
For elders who value their families, this could include training a grandchild to knit or sew, compiling a book of family recipes, or even researching genealogy and family history. By mentoring and sharing family tales, these events provide a chance to leave a legacy.
According to Farr, elders can benefit from helping younger generations in the workplace by teaching family members or new hires in their field.
“A wonderful way for elders to feel that the things they did in their lives had purpose is to participate in the growth of young people,” says Farr. “They may not be able to teach technical skills, but they can discuss time management, work-life balance, and organization.”
Indeed, according to research from the European Society for Prevention Research, your senior loved one may gain from mentoring on both an individual and broader society level. According to this study, intergenerational mentoring improved the physical and social well-being of seniors while reducing ageism in entire communities.[01]
- Preserve your physical well-being and standard of living
A 2019 study of over 3,000 seniors found that the best indicator of a high quality of life for older persons is physical health.[02] Based on this justification, Farr urges her customers to think about what they do to safeguard and improve their health.
According to Farr, “participating in healthy activities is a matter of supporting a positive mood.”
The following list of healthful activities is what she uses. Consider if your elderly loved one:
Adults should include either 30 minutes of moderate exercise or 15 minutes of intense exercise in their weekly regimen, according to research from the National Council on Aging. Your elderly loved one probably has access to some of the following group exercise programs and activities if they reside in an assisted living facility:
Dancing, such as square, swing, and ballroom dances
Yoga, especially chair yoga, for elderly people with ailments or limited mobility
Walking on a nature trail
According to exclusive statistics from A Place for Mom, 73.1% of our senior living facilities provide structured fitness programs including tai chi, water aerobics, and senior brain fitness sessions like Dakim, chair yoga, and Forever Fit.
- Introduce social activities to them. In addition to other support networks, caregivers can help older individuals engage with their broader community. You can plan family vacations, identify nearby locations that fit your loved one’s interests, or arrange transportation to and from activities.
- Seek out exemplary examples of meaningful, healthy living. You can contribute to the celebration of aging by recommending uplifting, enjoyable novels or films that highlight the daily accomplishments of senior citizens.
- Respond positively to obstacles
Seniors’ expectations and viewpoints have a significant impact on their capacity to achieve fulfillment and significance in their later years. 3,400 adults were asked to rank the methods and advice that most enhanced their perceptions of aging in a comprehensive study that was published in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS One. The most often mentioned answers were “appreciation,” “ability to adapt,” and “positive attitude.”[04]
Seniors who responded to the study characterized growing older as “living in a new reality,” where they must adapt to natural consequences such as physical weakness, exhaustion, and fragility. As a caretaker, keep in mind that while it could be challenging, it is possible to find the positive aspects of this circumstance. Farr gives the following illustration:
Assume that a senior has fallen. She explains that their hip injury limits their movement. However, a physical therapist will be available to them. It’s possible that they will set a goal to make that area stronger than it was previously. New interests may also result from this. For example, they can try a chair yoga session to continue their growth.
The positive-focus method has additional advantages:
Seniors who have never used a computer or tablet may feel intimidated or frustrated. On the other hand, Farr argues that new technology for seniors, such as a fitness tracker, video communication app, or speaker for their favorite music, can be “an opportunity to see a whole new world.” This adaptable way of thinking can make life more enjoyable.
Seniors may feel uneasy or bored because of the additional time retirement offers them. These free hours, however, can be the ideal opportunity for seniors to take up new activities or rekindle old passions that they have been too busy to pursue.
In the end, the process of growing older will always involve new challenges. Learning to anticipate certain annoyances and seek out opportunities to grow from them can improve a senior’s perspective.
- Establish a spiritual, religious, or health connection
Faith and spirituality frequently enrich and inform a person’s entire perspective. Finding a chapel, synagogue, or mosque for your aging parent or loved one might help them find purpose and happiness in their latter years if they are religious.
Spiritual activities like mindfulness and meditation encourage seniors who do not identify as religious to be happier by encouraging them to be present, lower their stress levels, and show gratitude. According to a PLOS One study, older persons are more likely to identify as “spiritual” and to link growing older to a greater capacity for introspection and self-awareness.
The Scientific Journal of Nursing, Midwifery, and Paramedical Faculty published research that shows regular meditation can reduce self-reported anxiety by approximately 33% for seniors who benefit from this motivating introspection.[05] 91.7% of our senior living facilities have a variety of religious and cultural services.
- Take part in enjoyable social activities
Despite the fact that loneliness is a common problem among older persons, there are numerous ways that caregivers can help elders avoid social isolation. For instance, Farr advises customers to plan one outing or social event per week. Caregivers can also facilitate this regular socialization.
Setting up in-home care or helping your loved one find a welcoming, social senior living community can prevent the more detrimental impacts of loneliness, even though some alone time is undoubtedly beneficial. The numerous activities offered by assisted living facilities, in particular, encourage elders to socialize and leave their rooms.