Helping Your Elderly Loved One Continue Living an Enjoyable Life 

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Do you find that your elderly loved one is feeling down? Maybe they recently lost a loved one or they might just be feeling the impacts of getting older. If this is the case, you might also notice that your elderly loved one started to isolate themselves. They might not be doing as much as they used to either. The good news is that you can help your elderly loved one to continue living an enjoyable life. They don’t have to let aging or other issues get them down.

Get Outside More Often

Homecare Westfield NJ - Helping Your Elderly Loved One Continue Living an Enjoyable Life

Homecare Westfield NJ – Helping Your Elderly Loved One Continue Living an Enjoyable Life

Many elderly people who start feeling down avoid going outdoors. They might isolate themselves in their home and not want to leave their house. If your elderly loved one is feeling down, they don’t necessarily have to go out of their home and do a bunch of stuff. However, you or a homecare provider might want to encourage them to get outside more often. Even if they sit on their porch and drink a cup of coffee, this can help. You could also ask if they would like to take a walk with you. Research shows that being outdoors at least a few times a week can help to improve happiness, enjoyment of life, and reduce depression.

Cook or Bake

If your elderly loved one needs something to do, but they don’t want to get outdoors at the moment, you can encourage them to cook or bake. This can help them to keep their hands and mind busy. It could also help them to feel like they are accomplishing something.

Gardening

Another outdoor option for your elderly loved one is gardening. If your loved one seems to be feeling down and not truly enjoying life, gardening could help a great deal. In fact, research shows there are numerous benefits to gardening. It can help your elderly loved one to improve their physical fitness and their mental health, as well.

Meditation

Even if your elderly loved one has never meditated before, it could be beneficial for them to try it now. Feeling the blues can be tough. It can even lead to depression. However, meditation can help to ease worries, clear the mind, and refocus the person who is doing it. These are all things that your elderly loved one might need if they are feeling down.

If your elderly loved one has been feeling down or if they aren’t really enjoying their life, there are some things that you can encourage them to do to feel better. If they don’t feel like doing these things on their own, you or a homecare provider might want to try doing these things with them.

Sources:  https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/participating-activities-you-enjoy
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4024457/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3710158/

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional Homecare Services in Westfield NJ, please talk to the caring staff at Generations Home Health Care today. Providing Home Care in Somerset, Essex, Union, Morris and Hunterdon Counties. Call us today at (908) 290-0691 or (973) 241-4534.

Susan Myer, RN, BSN, CCRN, CDP