You can't hide from the aging process. Every year the Earth makes its cosmic trip around the sun, and every year we gain a number on our age. Many people feel younger at heart than they are, and if you're interested in living a vibrant, active lifestyle as a senior, it's important to take care of your health.
At Cambridge Court, we provide many amenities and services aimed at helping you do just that. But we can't make every decision for you, and many times it comes down to developing the right habits. Here are seven healthy habits that seniors might consider cultivating along with how we can help.
Exercise is important to people of all ages. Cardiovascular exercise that gets your blood pumping and your heart rate up for 30 minutes several times a week can make a huge difference in your risk for certain chronic diseases. Strength training, stretching and balance training can all help keep your range of motion and other functions working, which increases your ability to enjoy other activities.
At Cambridge Court, we provide scheduled exercise activities that let you work on fitness along with other seniors. You can also exercise in your own assisted living apartment or enjoy brisk strolls through the community and grounds.
You are what you eat, and well-balanced is what you want to be. But a healthy diet doesn't have to be all rice crackers and broccoli. In fact, eating a variety of tasty, delicious foods that are also good for you is usually recommended.
Our assisted living community offers restaurant-style dining options with flexible dining times and menus, and we also help you manage nutrition requirements. Whether you're on a special diet due to a chronic condition or just want to watch your intake for general health purposes, we can ensure you get delicious foods and a few treats without botching your nutritional requirements.
Stress is a silent health problem that many people don't even realize they're dealing with. Long-term stress can take a toll on physical health, leaving you more at risk for chronic disorders. It can also damage your mental health, leading to depression, anxiety or other issues.
Moving into an assisted living community often removes a lot of daily stress from a senior's life. You don't have to worry about home upkeep, housekeeping, laundry or making meals. Security and safety concerns are also reduced, and all of this can combine to help you live a more peaceful, happier life.
Preventing a serious disease or injury is almost always better than dealing with the issue, and that's true of any age. Seniors should make it a habit to take preventative measures to keep common issues at bay when possible. Eating right and exercising are such measures, as they're proven to help reduce risks of a variety of health issues.
Another area where you can easily prevent some health issues is fall safety. Keep items, cords and rugs out of the walkways of your senior living apartment, and hold on to railings when you're going up and down steps. Take extra precautions when walking outdoors on potentially slippery surfaces in the winter or during spring rains, and wear slippers, socks or shoes with gripping soles when walking indoors. If you need it for support, use your walker or cane to prevent falls.
The staff at Cambridge Court is happy to help you with these types of preventative measures. We also provide medication management, health assessments and assistance managing chronic conditions.
When you sleep, your body works to repair and rejuvenate itself. For many seniors, sleep can become more elusive as age increases, so take some time to develop good sleep habits. Try to go to bed at the same time and create a comfortable sleeping environment. Most people sleep best in cool, dark environments.
If noises wake you easily, consider putting on a fan or investing in a white noise machine. It's also usually a good idea to limit caffeine and sugar consumption during the day, and certainly in the afternoon and evening.
Staying socially active helps ensure that you're more physically active — even if it's just walking to the dining and common areas a few times a day to meet with friends. Plus, social activities such as conversations and playing games work different areas of your brain, which can help promote cognitive health longer.
Cambridge Court has a full activity calendar with many options for socializing. And you certainly don't have to wait for us; consider reaching out to assisted living neighbors for conversation, coffee companionship or to set up a card game.
It's a good idea to check in with health care providers on a regular basis. Let them know if you're having trouble with any of the habits above. Problems sleeping, for example, might be caused by your medication or a medical condition. Seniors might want to ensure they get regular checkups with their general practitioner, eye doctor and dentist, and those with chronic conditions should always follow up with their specialists.
