A 2024 study in JAMA Network Open revealed that lifestyle factors, including social isolation, can significantly impact health and mortality rates, underscoring the importance of maintaining good physical and mental health to enjoy a fulfilling retirement in Hendersonville, NC.
So what are protective factors for staying healthy?
In this guide, we’ll explore some of the main lifestyle changes you can embrace in your senior years to help you feel well. From nutrition to fitness and social activities, we’ll provide practical tips for how to put health at the heart of your senior living lifestyle.
Emotional Support for Seniors: Maintaining Social Connections
Connecting with others is crucial for mental and emotional well-being at any point in life, and especially as you age. When you reach your senior years, you might lose contact with old colleagues, or you may have grown-up children who have moved away from home.
It’s essential to recognize that and take some small steps to nurture more connections and friendships. It can help reduce feelings of loneliness and provide a sense of grounding in your life.
Connect with others through senior social activities like fitness classes or through hobbies you enjoy, like reading groups or crafts workshops.
Healthy Aging Strategies: Regular Exercise
Keeping your body strong and full of energy is one of the best ways to stay healthy as you reach your senior years. Choose regular exercises that help you improve strength, flexibility, balance, and support cardiovascular health. Here are some suggestions:
- Yoga and tai chi
- Aerobic or chair aerobics
- Walking and gentle hikes
- Swimming and water aerobics
- Strength training
It’s important to remember that in a senior living community, exercise classes will be adapted to best suit an aging body. So you don’t need to worry about whether you’ll be able to keep up with the routines or what your fitness and mobility levels are like.
Be Conscious of What You Eat
What you eat has a direct impact on how you feel, your energy levels, and your overall health.Focusing on a balanced diet will ensure you look after your body in your senior years, so try following these tips:
- Eat a balance of protein, whole grains, fruit, and vegetables
- Have foods containing omega-3, like oily fish
- Limit processed foods
- Stay hydrated
- Avoid too much sugar and salt
If you are unsure about how to stick to a healthy diet, speak to your doctor. In a senior living community like TerraBella Hendersonville, you’ll also have the chance to enjoy healthy, chef-prepared meals, which will make it easier to maintain a nutritious and enjoyable diet.
Preventive Healthcare
Preventive healthcare can ensure you get the proper diagnosis promptly. It’s a key factor in staying healthy and protecting yourself from chronic conditions in your later years. Ensure you have a trusted healthcare provider who offers:
- Regular checkups, including blood pressure
- Screening for common conditions
- Vaccinations
- Annual physical tests
You should also get regular eye examinations and hearing tests.
Preventive medicine helps you stay proactive with your health by guarding against viruses, ensuring you’re on the right medication, and reducing the risk of complications from late diagnosis of health conditions.
Assisted Living Benefits: Safe Environments
As you age, you are more at risk of problems like falls and trips, and when that happens, you’re more likely to have a severe injury such as a broken bone.
It’s vital to manage and risk assess your surroundings to keep you physically safe as you get into your senior years. Here are some tips:
- Maintaining well-lit rooms
- Removing trip hazards like loose rugs and obstacles in hallways
- Adding ramps for wheelchairs or walking aids
- Including grab handles in bathrooms
A secure home environment gives you more independence and reduces worry both for you and your loved ones. It’s one of the reasons many seniors prefer the security of a senior living community, which is purpose-built for the needs of an aging population.
Keeping Your Mind Active
Cognitive health needs as much attention as physical health when you get into your later years. Brain cells are impacted by aging, which means you are more likely to experience issues like memory loss, and you’re more at risk of cognitive conditions like Alzheimer’s.
There are some simple activities you can try to help keep your brain healthy, such as:
- Board games
- Chess
- Puzzles like crosswords and Sudoku
- Reading groups
- Arts and crafts classes
- Music appreciation workshops
Make sure you incorporate some of these into your daily routine when you retire. As well as keeping the brain healthy, they are also an excellent way to stay connected and social with others.
Senior Mental Health and Stress Management
Managing your mental health and stress levels is vital because it can impact your well-being and even your physical health. There are lots of simple activities and techniques you can try, such as:
- Meditation
- Journaling
- Mindfulness
If you are in a senior living community, find out what activities are on offer that can help manage your mental health. Even something as simple as a painting workshop can help calm and focus the mind.
You can also look into therapy groups if you are suffering from a specific type of stress, like a chronic health condition. In addition, if worries impact your well-being in other areas, such as causing insomnia or a change to eating habits, make sure you speak to a healthcare professional.
Enjoying the Local Community
Don’t forget to explore the local community and visit attractions nearby. An enjoyable day out can boost both your physical and mental health.
You could take a scenic walk at a nearby nature spot, meet with friends and family at a local restaurant, or enjoy some cultural attractions like museums as part of a larger senior group. It all supports your sense of wellness.
What Are Protective Factors for Good Health?
So what are protective factors for staying healthy in your old age? In short, it’s a range of lifestyle choices that keep you mentally and physically well, with enough energy to embrace the fun aspects of retirement.
At TerraBella Hendersonville, we have everything you need for wellness in your senior years, from regular exercise classes and walking paths to social activities and outings to nearby attractions. Schedule a visit to find out more about what we offer.
