What Are the Best Self-Care Tips for the Elderly?

Self-care is important for everyone of all ages. The elderly often forget that self-care is something they need to focus on regularly. Usually, when someone retires or moves to an apartment after living in their house for a long time (like many elderly people do), they have a difficult time. When these things happen, without proper self-care, your elderly loved one may feel depressed and irritable. There are, however, some great self-care tips that your elderly loved one can use to help themselves feel better. Keep reading to find out what self-care tips you and elder care providers can share with your loved one.

Going Outdoors

Research shows that being outdoors can benefit people in numerous ways. The sunshine and fresh air can make a huge difference in how someone feels emotionally, mentally, and physically. The studies that have been done suggest people can lower their heart rate and blood pressure by spending just 20 minutes outside. In some cases, people didn’t even need to spend that long outside. If your elderly loved one is willing, you and their elder care providers should encourage them to get outside for a minimum of 15 minutes every day – more if they can.

Get Socializing

Another one of the best self-care tips for the elderly is to get socializing. There are many elderly people who will sit alone for most of the day or even most of the week. They may not get many visitors and may not go visit others often either. If this is the case for your elderly loved one, it would be a good idea for them to start socializing more. You or an elder care provider can drive your loved one to see their friends or family members. In addition, you and the elder care providers can spend more time with your loved one.

Start Exercising More

Research also shows that exercising is a great way to practice self-care. Exercising can help with one’s physical, mental, and emotional state. Aerobic exercises are the best for self-care. These exercises release more endorphins into the body than other types of exercises. Endorphins are the body’s feel-good natural chemicals. They can improve a person’s mood, relieve stress, reduce symptoms of depression, and offer many other self-care benefits. If your elderly loved one is already doing so, you or an elder care provider should encourage them to exercise more.

Conclusion

These are some of the best self-care tips for the elderly. It is very important that your elderly loved one is practicing proper self-care. With these tips, your elderly loved one should be able to find ways to take care of their emotional, mental, and physical health every day.

Sources
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/taking-care-yourself-tips-caregivers