What Are Protective Factors for Seniors?
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Lifestyle choices matter when it comes to living a long and healthy life. That's according to recent research, which found that something as simple as walking extra steps each day lowered the risk of death from all causes. It's something to think about, especially if you are in the process of planning your retirement in Dallas, TX.
What are protective factors for senior health? In this article, we'll explore some of the best ideas that can help you stay in good health and enjoy a long and active retirement.
Physical Activity
Exercise can be one of the most protective factors for health throughout adulthood, and in your senior years, the benefits become more pronounced, helping you to live an independent life.
Regular exercise keeps muscles strong, improving posture and balance. It's also great for the cardiovascular system, helping to lower your risk of certain health conditions like heart disease.
Some types of exercise, like yoga, are also great for improving flexibility. That's important as you get older, and bodies tend to be less flexible, which can make mobility harder and make you more likely to experience aches and pains.
Commit to regular exercise two to three times a week, even if it's low-impact like walking or swimming. The benefits will still be noticeable.
Healthy Aging Strategies: A Balanced Diet
Getting lots of nutrients in your body and making wise food choices can help protect you against chronic illnesses like diabetes, and it also boosts your immune system. In addition, staying at a healthy weight puts less strain on your body, making exercise easier and reducing the risk of issues like painful joints.
Choose a balanced diet that includes:
- Lots of lean protein
- Whole-grain foods
- Fruits and vegetables
- Healthy fats
You should also ensure you get vital nutrients and vitamins that support an aging body, such as calcium and vitamin D.
If your appetite begins to decline as you get older, change from three large meals to 4 or 5 smaller meals to help ensure you get sufficient calories. And don't forget to stay hydrated.
Senior Social Activities
Nurturing your relationships and staying connected with friends and family helps protect you from loneliness and depression. That's important in your senior years, as older people are more at risk of these two conditions.
A close friend or family member gives you someone to reach out to when you are feeling down, so they are a crucial source of emotional support.
As you enter your senior years, consider expanding your social circles by participating in community activities and events. Joining a hobby group like pottery, for example, can help you meet like-minded people and boost your social interactions on any given day.
Preventive Medicine
Make sure you are with a healthcare provider who takes a proactive approach to medicine. Preventive care can help catch conditions early, ensuring you get prompt treatment.
Healthcare providers can also monitor you on key health measures such as your blood pressure and cholesterol, alerting you to risks that might impact your quality of life later on, which gives you time to make lifestyle changes like increasing exercise and changing your diet.
A trusted doctor will also ensure that you are up to date on the proper vaccinations and even refer you for therapy designed to provide more tailored emotional support for seniors.
Cognitive Stimulation
Brain health is just as important as your physical health when you reach your senior years. Without exercising your brain cells, you put yourself at a higher risk of age-related decline, such as memory loss.
Try some of these activities to keep your cognitive skills sharp:
- Reading or joining a book club
- Puzzles and board games
- Scrabble, chess, crosswords, or sudoku
- Playing an instrument
- Joining a choir
- Painting or sketching
Choose activities that you enjoy and give you a chance to meet people with similar interests. That way, you'll also be making social connections as well as supporting your brain health.
Senior Mental Health Support: Manage Stress
One protective factor that should never be overlooked is stress management, because stress can creep up on you and, if left unchecked, put you at risk of more complex mental health conditions like anxiety.
Chronic stress can also have an impact on your physical health, like weakening your immune system or raising your blood pressure. In some circumstances, chronic stress can even increase your risk of heart disease, especially if it leads to other unhealthy lifestyle choices like changes to your appetite.
Simple, everyday steps to lower your stress levels reap rewards for seniors. Try a walk in nature, meditation, or journaling.
A Safe Living Environment
Where you live can also impact your health, and protective factors, like a safer living environment, are crucial. Seniors are more likely to have mobility problems and issues with their balance, which makes a fall more likely.
In an aging body, even a minor fall can have a devastating impact, with a higher risk of broken bones and a longer recovery time.
Make your environment accessible and easier to move around in by adding non-slip floors, plentiful lighting, and ensuring entryways are wide. Open-plan living is a good idea because it provides more space for walking aids and wheelchairs.
Add extra safety features, such as grab bars, in key areas like bathrooms.
Creating a Sense of Purpose
A sense of purpose is about more than feeling happy and active in retirement. It's about pursuing things that mean something to you and bring you satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment. Doing that can help keep you in a stronger mental state, and it reduces the risk of depression.
Activities can be anything that brings you joy, whether that's exercising, a favorite hobby, faith, or volunteering.
What Are Protective Factors for Senior Health?
So what are protective factors for senior health? In short, they are a combination of activities and lifestyle changes that support your mental and physical health in your later years.
Join a community where your health and well-being come first by scheduling a tour of The Bentley Senior Living. We offer many independent living benefits, like our personalized care, on-site social activities, and our holistic health and wellness program.