Category: Health & Wellness

Gardening is an activity that has multiple purposes and just as many benefits for seniors. It takes a lot of effort to maintain a good garden, and the physical benefits are well worth it. Plus, seniors enjoy the mental aspects of a beautiful garden as it gives them a sense of purpose and pride when they see the fruits of their labor. If you have an aging parent who wants to start a garden this spring, help them make it easier to access and maintain. Gardening is one of the most beneficial outdoor activities they can do, and here are some ways it can be done with ease.

Make Your Garden Accessible

It can be hard work having a beautiful garden when you think about the physical labor of digging, being on your hands and knees, pulling weeds, and more. The problem with this is seniors might not be physically able to do everything they need to, so a great solution is to build a raised garden that’s more accessible. They can still pull weeds, water, and do regular maintenance on their garden without the physical burdens of bending over and potentially injuring themselves. When gardening is easier, it’s more enjoyable and seniors are more likely to stick with it all season.

Create A Safe Path To Your Garden

Remove any obstacles you might have between the door and your garden. If you have an outdoor patio or steps you have to use, consider installing a vertical platform lift. This device can help you get in and out of the house with ease so you don’t have to expend extra effort. You’ll need that effort for your garden, so save it up. It’s also ideal to keep the yard mowed so it won’t be difficult to walk through tall grass. Any other clutter you have between your house and garden should be cleared to have an unobstructed path and reduce the risk of falling.

Ask For Help When Needed

Possibly the most important tip to remember this spring is to ask for help whenever you need it. Your kids would love to help their aging parent, but if they aren’t around, then consider asking a neighbor or hiring a professional. The process of starting a garden can be physically strenuous when you think about the digging, pulling, and lifting you have to do. Get assistance with those tasks rather than attempting them yourself and potentially getting hurt as a result. The last thing you want to happen is to get hurt and not be able to spend as much time gardening.

Participating in outdoor activities is one of the most ideal ways for seniors to get exercise. Gardening offers many different benefits in this regard, and there are plenty of ways to make it safe for seniors. Next Day Access can help by installing a vertical platform lift, wheelchair ramp, or other mobility aids depending on the layout of your space. If you need your garden to be more accessible, Nous contacter today to schedule a free evaluation and see how we can help.

Seniors should be seeking out ways to stay healthy if they are striving for independent living. A strong immune system is essential to avoid many health issues seniors face today. According to Harvard Medical School, the first line of defense to having a strong immune system is to choose a healthy overall lifestyle. This doesn’t mean you have to constantly be on a diet and exercise for several hours a day. But it does mean practicing small daily healthy habits to help keep your immune system strong. Here are some simple ways to boost your immunity as you get older.

Relieve Some Stress

Stress can take a significant toll on the body. If you constantly feel like you’re stressed out due to work, family, or other concerns, take some time to yourself to relieve as much stress as possible. A small amount of stress is healthy since it keeps the mind active and alert. It’s when the stress builds and becomes chronic that it can be bad for your health. Think about what makes you happy and relaxed. It could be relaxing outside and listening to soothing music, gardening, participating in creative activities, exercising, or anything else you love to do. Distance yourself from stressful situations as much as you can, and your immune health will benefit.

Balance Your Diet

A balanced diet is good for people of all ages and especially for seniors. You don’t have to avoid unhealthy foods altogether, but you should limit them as much as possible and don’t make them your primary source of food. Incorporating a mix of leafy green vegetables, proteins, fruits, grains, and more in your diet is important. These healthy habits might not seem appealing at first, but if you’re diligent about including them in your diet, then they will feel normal over time. A balanced diet is crucial for anyone who strives for independent living as they age.

Prioritize Sleep

Not sleeping enough can weaken your immune system and make you vulnerable to developing severe health conditions. Part of senior living is getting enough rest, so set a bedtime routine and stick with it as much as possible. Aim for getting eight hours of sleep each night. If you find you’re having difficulties going to sleep or staying asleep, try making some changes to your lifestyle during the day. When you are more active throughout the day and eat a healthier diet, you might be surprised at how much better you sleep at night.

Having a strong immune system is important for senior living. As you get older, your immune system could weaken naturally, but you have some control over making it stronger. It’s acceptable to have a relaxing day occasionally where you don’t exercise, eat whatever you want, or stay up later than you should. But as long as your daily healthy habits are in place and you can revert to them, then you’ll stay on track with having a strong immune system. Next Day Access is here to help seniors stay active so Nous contacter today to see how a mobility device can help you. 

Everyone should start thinking about retirement at an early age. When you’re younger, this might mean saving as much money as you can so you can have a decent amount saved when you get older. But then once you are near retirement, it’s time to start thinking about the lifestyle you want and make concrete plans for the future. More seniors than ever before strive for independent living today, and here are some tips on how to achieve it.

Think About The Lifestyle You Want

According to the Population Reference Bureau, the predicted number of the US population aged 65 and older is roughly 95 million people by 2060 compared to 52 million people in 2018. Many of these people choose to age in place for various reasons, and part of retirement is determining if and how you’ll age in place. When planning your post-retirement lifestyle, think about if you want to live at your current location, move closer to family, travel more often, and other factors. Once you have an idea of how you’d like to live in the later years of life, you can start focusing on finances.

Get Your Finances In Order

An important part of independent living is ensuring you have enough money to match the lifestyle you desire after retirement. Look at your monthly retirement income and compare it to what you expect to spend. It may be hard to imagine how much money you will need, so it’s better to leave some wiggle room in your budget. If you need to, consider speaking with a financial planner to ensure all bases for a smooth and comfortable retirement are covered.

Prepare Now For A Smooth Retirement

If you plan to age in place throughout your retirement years, think about what you can do now to make the transition easier. For example, if it’s getting increasingly difficult to use the stairs, invest in a stair lift now so you won’t put as much strain on your body. You can also begin downsizing some of your furnishings or belongings you might not need after you retire. And if you’re thinking about moving to a new location after retirement, now is the time to begin looking so you can budget accordingly.

Next Day Access offers mobility aids and devices to help seniors achieve independent living long after they retire. The hardest part about retirement planning is the uncertainty of the different variables. So in this case, it’s usually ideal to plan too much rather than not plan enough. If you have any questions about how we can help with your mobility post-retirement, Nous contacter at any time.

Staying at home more often can present unexpected issues for seniors. Not going to the grocery store as much could lead to dietary concerns and neglecting healthy habits. On top of that, poor nutrition habits can weaken a senior’s immune system according to Harvard T.H. Chan Public School of Health.

Most Common Causes of Malnutrition in Seniors

When providing senior care, it’s important to ensure your loved one has the food and beverages they need to be as healthy as possible. And it’s equally important to look out for potential signs of malnutrition in seniors.

Social Limitations

Seniors living at home may not feel the need to cook for themselves every night, and don’t necessarily want to invite anyone over for dinner or go to restaurants for various reasons. The result is often picking up fast food more often and eating processed foods, frozen dinners, and other items with very little nutritional value. If a senior loved one indicates their diet consists of these types of foods, consider taking them some nutritious meals or doing some grocery shopping for them, so they get the proper nutrition needed to stay healthy.

Physical Problems

Physical problems could be another cause of malnutrition for seniors living at home. The inability to stand for long periods to cook may cause them not to cook at all. And conditions like arthritis can make simple tasks like cutting fruits and vegetables painful, so they may be skipping those items in favor of other unhealthy options. Your senior loved one may have good intentions on eating nutritious meals but are unable to because of painful or nagging physical issues.

Psychological Concerns

A common concern for seniors living at home is their psychological well-being. Being isolated from others or experiencing devastating events in their life could lead to depression, feelings of loneliness, grief, stress, or anxiety. These types of feelings often lead to not sticking with healthy habits and grabbing comfort foods instead. Eating foods high in fat or loaded with sugar are common actions for people with psychological concerns. And some people lose their appetite completely, which can also lead to malnutrition in seniors.

Improve Mobility in the Home

Next Day Access wants to help make life easier for seniors living at home. We understand physical limitations can be causes for concern and significantly limit a senior’s lifestyle. Not being able to go up the stairs easily can make a senior feel limited in their own home, but we have tools and products to help make their home more accessible.

There are many different factors to look at when providing senior care to a loved one to ensure they are taken care of as much as possible. Don’t hesitate to Nous contacter at any time if there is anything we can do to help improve mobility in your senior loved one’s home.