Thanks to many incredible improvements in medical care, typical life expectancy in the United States continues to rise. Americans can now expect to live well into their late seventies on average. However, although our quantity of life is important, we must also recognize the need to have a high quality of life.
The team here at Montes Medical understands this well and has been providing excellent geriatric care to people for years. With the right care and approach to life, older Americans are able to experience a level of freedom that was previously unheard of thanks to advances in medical science, early detection, and treatments.
Maintaining strength, independence, and good health are important for seniors interested in keeping a high quality of life. Truthfully, this can be difficult to achieve for people as the effects of time go on and start to impact the mind and body. As frailty increases, the risk of falling can rise. Memories can also begin to diminish and get patchier over time. Understandably, these can be scary changes for people to experience, especially after living a life full of self-sufficiency.
The good news is that there are many great ways that seniors can help maintain and strengthen their minds and bodies. These changes don’t have to be dramatic and can be accomplished through simple lifestyle changes. Additionally, finding support from their doctors, community, and external service providers can all make it easier for seniors to live a higher quality of life.
Staying Social
There’sno denying that human beings are social creatures that thrive on connecting and interacting with others. Sometimes, seniors can find themselves living in isolation and dealing with high levels of loneliness. This separation and lack of connection can be detrimental to mental health and well-being. For this reason, it’s important that seniors make an extra effort to stay involved with people around them. Doing so can help them feel more engaged in their local community and in the lives of friends and family.
For example, volunteering is a great way for seniors to stay socially active. It feels good to make a difference in the lives of others while meeting those that are also interested in doing so. Another good idea is to join a social organization like a book club or hiking group. Finding people with similar interests is a great way to find potential new friends.
Staying Active
Seniors that consistently exercise and stay active stand to reap many benefits. Regular movement can help boost mental, physical, and social well-being. It can also help fight back against chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
Strength training, in particular, can be a great way to strengthen bones, build balance, and reduce the risk of falling and getting injured. For seniors looking to stay both social and active, tennis can be a great game! It allows people to build their friendships while also getting invaluable aerobic activity.
Regular Check-Ups
Regularly visiting our doctors is one of the most important things we can do to maintain good health in our senior years. Annual checkups are critical in monitoring well-being over the years and identifying potential red flags before health issues become more serious or threatening.
It is also important to stay on top of immunizations and discuss any medication changes with your care provider. By working together, seniors and their physicians can build a solid plan to boost health and well-being for years to come.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many great ways to stay strong and healthy in the later years of life. It’s always a good idea to stay active and regularly exercise in ways that you enjoy. Social connections are also critical in maintaining mental well-being, promoting engagement in the community, and warding off loneliness. Finally, make sure to see your doctor regularly to monitor any long-term health issues and stay ahead of potential concerns before they become more serious.
Click HERE to schedule your senior wellness visit and help keep yourself in better health for many years to come!
AUTHOR
Maneeza Hasan – Maneeza is a content marketing professional from Los Angeles, California. She loves to create content that helps people live better lives. To learn more about her please visit her website at www.maneeza.com.