During the senior years, issues such as loss and isolation can make older adults vulnerable to emotional health concerns. While everyone is prone to occasional bouts of sadness, it’s important for caregivers to plan ways to boost their senior loved ones’ mood when negative emotions occur. Use these tips to enhance your loved one’s emotional wellbeing.
1. Spend Time in Nature
There’s something relaxing about being surrounded by the beauty of nature. When weather permits, make sure your loved one goes outside to soak up some rays of sunshine. If your loved one is unable to venture far from home, fill his or her living space with plants so it resembles outdoor areas.
Hiring a professional caregiver is another way to boost your loved one’s emotional wellbeing and overall quality of life. At-home care professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers.
2. Prepare Nutritious Meals
Nutrition is one of the most overlooked aspects of emotional wellness. Prepare nutritious meals that provide your loved one with vitamins and minerals necessary to regulate mood. For instance, omega-3 fatty acids are known for increasing energy levels and reducing depression. Additionally, your loved one should consume plenty of vitamin B throughout the day to combat feelings of fatigue. If you’re unsure of how to prepare nutritious meals, consider hiring a professional caregiver.
3. Celebrate Achievements
After retirement, your loved one may feel as though he or she no longer has much to contribute to society. Make it clear that your loved one is still a valued member of your community by celebrating his or her achievements. For instance, you could host a family dinner to celebrate your loved one’s completion of a senior class, or you could simply compliment his or her efforts at maintaining good health.
4. Encourage Relaxing Hobbies
The senior years are sometimes full of stressful events, such as waiting for the results of a medical test to come back. However, you can help your loved one keep his or her mind off stressful situations by providing relaxing hobbies. Spending time painting a landscape scene or knitting with soft yarn can help your loved one focus on something enjoyable. While it may take some time to find the perfect relaxing pursuit for your loved one, it may be worth it when he or she feels relaxed after getting started.
Caring for a loved one and helping him or her pursue relaxing hobbies can be challenging at times. Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Amarillo, Texas, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Home Care Assistance. Using our proprietary Balanced Care Method, our respite caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity.
5. Make Socialization a Priority
Loneliness is one of the many factors that can lead to serious emotional health issues such as depression and anxiety. Make sure your loved one never feels isolated by planning several different types of social activities each week. For instance, you can take your loved one to group classes at the senior center so he or she can mingle with other older adults. You can also arrange for a companion to stop by a few times a week for lunch. Regular socialization allows your loved one to enjoy conversations with people from a variety of backgrounds who can lift his or her mood.
Family members who need help boosting their loved ones’ emotional wellbeing should consider hiring professional caregivers. In Amarillo, elderly home care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Home Care Assistance, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. We offer a revolutionary program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy. Home Care Assistance can be your trusted partner when your loved one needs help with the challenges of aging. Call us today at (806) 803-9991 to learn about our high-quality in-home care services.