How to age healthy
Health is important all year round but August focuses on the well-being of each individual, especially older adults, who should engage in wellness practices to improve their quality and lifestyle. It is known that as people age, a stigma or prejudice is created where being too old, not being able to, it’s too late, my body is not what it used to be has left self-care aside, especially when having family members or caregivers who help with daily activities. Although some may need more assistance than others, adults can still get involved in their personal care, no matter how small; it is known that the independence of an adult is important and can generate security, purpose, emotional health, etc.
What is wellness?
Wellness is the active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyle which is made up of many dimensions that are proposed today as an ideal, adapted to personal choice, needs, and abilities that affect your health, well-being, and quality of life. Some of these dimensions include:
• Physical wellness: Eating healthy, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and managing health conditions.
• Spiritual wellness: Connecting with inner and outer world, following values and beliefs, and finding purpose and meaning in life. That can be found in worshiping, nature, meditation.
• Social wellness: Building healthy relationships with friends, family, and the community in meaningful ways to socialize more.
• Emotional wellness: Being optimistic, having self-esteem and self-acceptance, and being able to cope, accept and express feelings.
How can you help?
As people age, they need to take much more care of themselves, so we must recognize everyone’s needs. Physically, there are changes such as loss of body mass, fluids and fat. In addition, older adults also have mental and psychological changes in their behavior, habits, mood swings, fears and others. Therefore, it is important for older adults to have a family, a community, caregivers around them not to do everything for them, but rather encourage them to follow healthy habits.
You can help them in the following ways:
• Give recognition to each achievement obtained and maintain high self-esteem.
• Promote the practice of physical activity, constantly but moderately.
• Encourage the practice of educational games that strengthen memory.
• Encourage them to maintain a purpose in life and help them achieve it.
• Ensure that they maintain interaction with other people.
• Maintain a schedule of daily activities in which they are given responsibilities.
• Follow a healthy and balanced diet.
Do you need help?
At Adult Alternative Home Care, we are here to help you. It is our job to be able to cover all the needs of the elderly. If you have an elderly relative who requires more care and help than you can provide yourself, at Adult Alternative Home Care we are here to lend a hand.
You can also find programs that the department of Human Services of NJ offers to the community.
Resources
• https://www.jcmh.org/the-5-dimensions-of-wellness/#:~:text=Spiritual%20wellness%20is%20connecting%20to,sense%20of%20purpose%20and%20meaning.
• https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/what-is-wellness/
• https://www.unh.edu/health/wellbeing-wheel
The department of Human Services of NJ
https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/doas/assistance/wellness/
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