It’s easy to develop a plan or a goal to achieve something, but how long can you keep up? Every year, a high percentage of people come up with New Year’s resolutions and kick them off with vigor and positivity, but more often than not, most people drop them along the way. The same scenario is observed even when developing a healthy lifestyle.
It’s necessary to keep confirming that your wellness is on track. Without accountability partners and enough discipline to maintain that, it’s easy to fall back, especially for seniors, even if they’re already living in continuing care retirement communities where their needs are met. Here are tips for anyone helping out seniors begin and maintain that healthy lifestyle:
- Set Realistic Goals
Any plan takes time to begin and to be implemented. Keep this in mind when introducing a senior into practicing healthy habits, whether in their dietary needs, physical activity, sleeping time, reducing alcoholism and smoking, etc. Do not lecture them about how to live their lives. Instead, work together to develop a healthy routine to make them feel part of the process.
Educate them on the benefits of getting into a healthy routine, as this will help them try their best to fit into the whole process with ease. Letting go of bad habits is never easy, but with patience and the right motivation from positive-minded people, it’s possible to let them go entirely after a while.
- Make It Fun
Doing the same thing over and over while following a strict routine can be tedious. To prevent such episodes of boredom, motivate your loved ones by finding fun ways to implement these changes.
One of the best techniques to make this work is by encouraging them to join a support group or recruit friends around their age to do this with them. Doing so will ensure accountability and help them get through the hard days.
Most times, they will feel more comfortable sharing their struggles amongst their peers, and they’ll help each other come up with solutions to conquer them. Together, they’ll also explore new ideas online to make the process more enjoyable. At least, if they’re able to recruit more friends to join them in their wellness adventure, you’re indirectly facilitating the culture of healthy living amongst seniors, which is beneficial to them.
- Ensure Safety Standards are Upheld
Remember, seniors are in the most delicate phase of their lives. Therefore, as much as you want them to follow the program you’ve made together, make sure that the exercises and diets are easy and safe for them to follow and handle. Of course, everyone is unique and has different strengths.
Emphasize that seniors should first consult a professional to approve the programs they wish to pursue so that they are not overexerting themselves and that they are indeed getting healthier. Later on, follow-up with the seniors to ensure that they grow into it every process gradually and safely. For the physical activities that involve using more energy, emphasize taking the recommended break to prevent fatigue and injury.
- Review The Progress and Appreciate Milestones
Changing your entire lifestyle is not easy, especially as you get older. Seniors will need more motivation and recognition of the baby steps they’ve made, however small they may look. Take them to their physician to confirm that they’re making progress. Once in a while, treat them to a spa day or travel to their favorite spots as you compliment them positively.
As you review their progress, ask them how they feel about themselves and the program. Ensure that you incorporate more of their favorite things into their routine. As they grow into it, they will mention more of their favorite things in the program. The main rule is always to remember to keep it fun for them.
- Hire A Professional Caregiver
Taking care of the elderly requires remarkable skill. If it feels overwhelming for you, you can always set them up with a specialist who knows best how to seamlessly provide the extra care they need to carry on with their day-to-day activities.
Most caregivers have received training to know seniors’ dietary needs. They will be best suited to advise you on the changes to make since the caregivers are directly in contact with the seniors. These specialists know the best way to get the seniors’ input without invading their privacy. The most important thing is to ensure that they get the best care and supervision. At least you’ll be assured that your senior loved ones are getting the care they need and that any emergency is addressed almost immediately when required.
Everyone has the opportunity to turn around their lifestyle no matter their age. With caution, patience, encouragement, and the necessary support, it’s possible to develop these healthy habits over time without any hiccups.
About the Author
Jenn Walker is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beachgoer operating out of Southern New Jersey.
