Getting older. It happens to all of us, yet most Americans are afraid of growing old. Television and magazines tend to focus on beautiful young people—giving us the message that aging is a bad thing.
When you see aging loved ones suffering, you may come to think of the elderly as lonely, sick people who can’t take care of themselves and are just waiting to die.
But this image is false! The truth is that most elderly people learn to live with the changes that age brings. And, they enjoy happy and productive lives.
Consider these facts:
- Of all the people over age 65, only 5% of them live in nursing homes.
- Over 40% of elderly people are married.
- Only 19% of people over age 65 have trouble walking. And, about half the people who reach age 85 are able to get around by themselves.
- While people do tend to forget a bit as they get older, only 4% of Americans have dementia at age 65.
Let’s face it…life expectancy in the United States increased during the twentieth century. People can expect to live longer and longer. For example, in the next twenty years, the number of people over age 85 will double!
While there is no “fountain of youth”, there are ways to slow down the aging process. You can help your aging loved ones feel their best by following these tips:
- Remember that the elderly are at risk for injury from accidents. For example, many older people fall from tripping over something on the floor. Check your aging loved one’s environment regularly for possible safety hazards—and fix any problems.
- Encourage your loved ones to stretch their muscles regularly. Even ten minutes of stretching every other day helps prevent age-related stiffness.
- Assist your loved ones with their mouth care—especially flossing. Proper mouth care keeps the gums healthy. (Keep in mind that people with gum disease are more likely to have heart disease, diabetes and pneumonia!)
- Find something to laugh about with your loved ones. It’s important to hold onto a sense of humor as we age, and laughing helps people feel young and alive.
- Help your loved ones look their best…with tidy clothes, combed hair and clean nails. Your female loved ones might enjoy a touch of make up or fingernail polish. Make sure your male loved ones get a regular shave.
- Encourage your overweight loved ones to lose weight. Keep in mind that 33% of Americans are obese…and obesity causes people to age rapidly.
- Suggest that your loved ones make regular visits to their physician, eye doctor and dentist. There are a number of screening tests that can be done to catch common illnesses early…including cancer, diabetes, glaucoma and thyroid disease.
- Encourage them to get some fresh air and sunshine every day, if the weather cooperates and your loved ones are physically able. Thirty minutes of sunshine a day gives the body a healthy dose of Vitamin D.
- Remind your loved ones to wash their hands regularly—just as you do—to avoid spreading germs to themselves and others.
- Encourage your loved ones to stay in touch with the world around them by reading the newspaper, watching the news on TV or “surfing” the internet. (Yes, elderly people enjoy computers, too!)
- Above all, help your loved ones get some kind of exercise every day—whatever they can tolerate and their doctor will allow. Even a short walk, done daily, will help keep the body young and active. (What’s that saying? Move it or lose it! So, get your loved ones moving and they’ll feel and look younger.)
If you live far away from your aging loved one, or are already juggling the many day to day activities that life throws at us, a Senior Helpers caregiver can help your loved one with all of the above. Call Senior Helpers today to help slow down your loved one’s aging process!
About Senior Helpers:
Senior Helpers provides many in- home, caregiving services for the elderly in Bridgewater, Edison, Piscataway, Hillsborough, Somerset, Somerville and neighboring towns. We offer extensive in-home care services for seniors who embrace their independence and the personal dignity that goes with it. Our in-home care services are provided by bonded and insured caregivers all of whom pass a national background check.
If a senior family member needs in-home care services in Somerset, Mercer, Hunterdon, Warren or W. Middlesex Counties, NJ, we are an excellent choice with exemplary references. In home health care is the compassionate choice for your elderly loved ones’ continued independent living. We promise we will do our best to make it a positive experience for them and you. For more information, please visit: http://seniorhelpers.com/location/3409.
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