Things Seniors Should Do Each Day To Live Independently
Occupational Therapy in Upper Darby PA
When seniors are asked what their preferred living arrangement would be as they get older, more than 90% of seniors polled say that they would prefer to live at home. And thanks to the development of many different services that are set up to help seniors live independently, it’s possible for seniors to live well at home as they get older even if they develop health problems. But the healthier seniors are, the easier it is for them to continue to live independently. That’s why seniors who know they want to live independently should be doing these things every day to maintain their health, their mobility, and ultimately their independence:
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is something seniors can now get at home. It’s a type of therapy that is designed to help seniors maintain their ability to do the things they need to be independent. Occupational therapy exercises are created to help seniors with things like manual dexterity, spatial relationships, task organization and processing, grip strength, and much more. Seniors should start occupational therapy as soon as possible. The more they engage in occupational therapy exercises, the easier it will be for them to continue to live at home.
Exercise
Experts in healthy aging sometimes call exercise the fountain of youth. The benefits of daily exercise for seniors are huge. Seniors that do at least 20 minutes of activity each day find that they sleep better, maintain a healthier weight, and have better mental health. All of those things can contribute to a senior’s ability to continue to live on their own. And doing a little bit of activity each day isn’t that difficult. Going for a walk, or taking a bike ride, or doing some gardening all can help seniors improve their health.
Eating a Healthy Diet
Eating healthy is something that everyone should do, but it’s especially important for seniors. Because seniors are prone to developing health problems as they get older, eating a healthy diet that won’t cause additional health problems or cause weight gain matters. Seniors may even be able to manage the symptoms of some chronic diseases, like diabetes, by making better choices about the food they eat. If good health isn’t enough of an incentive to eat healthy, seniors might be motived to eat healthier, knowing it’s one of the things that can help them stay independent.
Getting Enough Sleep
Sleep is critical for good health, but most people don’t get enough of it. Seniors who don’t get enough sleep have a higher risk of falling, which can limit their ability to live independently. Seniors that struggle with sleep may also start to eat unhealthy foods in an effort to get the energy they need to get through the day. Some medications can cause sleep problems in seniors, but seniors can usually overcome those side effects by having a good bedtime routine and maintaining good sleep hygiene. When seniors get enough sleep and eat a healthy diet, they are much more likely to be able to live independently.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Occupational Therapy in Upper Darby, PA, please contact the caring staff at True Direct Home Health Care today (215) 309-3119
Doc, as he is called by everyone - staff, patients and clients - first experienced home health care and hospice care while as a colleg student at King's College as he cared for his mother every day while she first battled COPD and then lung cancer. It was during this time that he came to understand that caring for a patient was more than just clinical expertise.
"Admittedly, my strongest attribute is my communication skills and the simple fact that I love to help people. Even the smallest thing you can do for someone really can mean so much to them long term. In fact, it could change them forever. That's what providing quality personal home health care should be all about."
In his spare time, he cooks for homeless shelters and children's music and arts events. He also is highly involved in his local youth sports soccer academy as a coach and Board member.
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