The U.S elderly may face health problems like heart diseases, hearing loss, and dementia. What’s more, they have to navigate through financial problems and elder abuse, making life challenging. So how do you improve the happiness levels of seniors?
How to Boost the Happiness Levels of Seniors
However, research indicates that happiness is instrumental to their longevity. Fortunately, you can help your senior relatives find happiness and improve their life’s quality. That said, here are some ways to improve the happiness levels of seniors.
Let them engage in exercise.
According to the CDC, exercise is essential for the elderly. It strengthens their immune and digestive system, but it also lowers their risks of obtaining cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, and other life-threatening conditions. What’s more, exercise can reduce their stress and boost their mood and mental wellbeing. Therefore, you may get them to work out more and strengthen their body. They can take brisk walks or engage in water aerobics to relieve arthritis and joint pain.
Chair yoga, resistance band workouts, and Pilates are also excellent workout choices to try out. However, they may avoid exercises like bench press and rock climbing, as they may cause posture or balance problems.
Let them focus on the positives.
Research by Dr. Janine Wiles and Associates revealed that seniors who focus on the positives in their lives tend to feel happier and more satisfied. While it might be challenging to ignore health conditions and dwindling health, setting their minds on their families and friends, hobbies, and happy moments will boost their happiness levels and confidence.
Therefore, you may encourage them to practice gratitude and make exciting daily plans. It’s also prudent for them to accept and adapt to the aging process to reduce stress and negative thoughts.
Let them lead active social lives.
A University College London research indicated that 60-year-olds who visited their friends daily were 12 percent less likely to experience dementia. A Harvard University study revealed that seniors with active social lives were happier and healthier than those without friends. These exciting statistics prove that social life is a non-negotiable factor for an improved elderly life.
Fortunately, your elderly friends or relatives can build friendships by participating in local activities and volunteer groups. It has also been seen that some seniors find happiness in adopting a dog. Not only does a dog offer comfort they enable them to be active and stay engaged in social settings at places like the dog park. While certain breeds may not be perfect, some breeds can make the best dogs for seniors. If, however, they aren’t in a position to adopt a dog or be involved in public activity, they can also leverage social media to connect with old and new friends who aren’t close by. Perhaps they can join senior living communities so that they don’t feel isolated and depressed.
Let them feel needed.
Research has indicated that many seniors feel like a burden on their caregivers, causing them to feel frustrated and demoralized. However, you can help them eradicate these emotions by reiterating their helpfulness. For instance, you can regularly compliment them and show interest in their conversations. Besides, they can also perform chores like folding the laundry and making the grocery list.
You may also seek their company when running errands or cooking and their advice on life issues. These things can make them feel valued, increasing their happiness levels.
Let them engage their minds.
Studies reveal that seniors who engage their minds reduce their risks of developing dementia and other mental conditions. Fortunately, games like scrabble, Sudoku, and crossword puzzles can keep their mind active. They may also learn new skills and memory exercises to improve their short and long-term memory. It has also been seen that some seniors find happiness in adopting a dog.
How to Boost the Happiness Levels of Seniors
A dog offers comfort, but they also enable them to be active and stay engaged in social settings at places like the dog park. While certain breeds may not be perfect, some breeds can make the best dogs for seniors.
