Growing older does not mean that seniors should expect to see a dip in their overall quality of life. Aging with grace and dignity should not come across as a luxury but something that is inherently expected as they enter their golden years. For seniors entering the world of home health care for the first time, knowing what to expect and what kinds of “quality of life” they can expect are essential.
Having an experienced home nursing service can help the seniors in your life see a marked improvement in their overall quality of life, but what specific areas can they expect to see improvements in? Does progress in one aspect of life have a more significant impact than another? The answer is that it depends on a case-by-case basis.
Creating Sense of Purpose
There is an overarching goal at every stage of life that drives people forward. Whether going to school, raising a family, or succeeding in your career, you have specific goals and benchmarks that people can work towards — a sense of purpose for their actions. As you enter retirement, your children are grown, you aren’t in school, and you are enjoying a well-earned retirement. Still, finding a sense of purpose can prove challenging for many seniors.
With a home caregiver on hand, seniors have someone that can help find and define a purpose for this stage in their life. They can also help find ways to achieve this purpose and make their retirement years something they can thoroughly enjoy.
Know Signs of Possible Depression
Depression is something that people of all ages have to contend with at some point in their lives. For the elderly, depression can become a silent killer through the drastic life changes they have experienced in their life in short succession. If a caregiver notices signs of depression, getting their charge the help they need to combat their depression can help significantly improve their quality of life for the remainder of their lives.
Combating Loneliness
Aging and increased feelings of loneliness are often intrinsically linked. As we get older, the connections we made throughout our lives could have fallen off because of distance, life circumstances, falling outs, and even death. If seniors begin to feel that overwhelming sense of loneliness, finding ways to forge new connections with the people around them can do a world of good for their quality of life.
Keep Moving Physically
Staying physically active in your retirement years can do a world of good for older adults in the Philadelphia area. Finding ways to stay active and keep moving can help maintain a senior’s confidence, pride, and independence as they continue to age. Even the activities of daily living like going out for groceries can give the elderly that sense of pride and confidence that they are still physically able to do the things they could while they were younger.
Maintain Cognitive Abilities
Finding ways to maintain their functional cognitive abilities is something that the elderly and their caregivers should always strive for. Older people want to remain mentally sharp into their golden years to stave off the cognitive impairments and decline often associated with aging. Learning a new hobby, encouraging them to share stories of experiences they’ve lived through, and engaging in new mental activities can all help improve their quality of life.
Making the Right Choice Among Caregiver Agencies!
Often when an older person enters their retirement years, a home health aide can help provide the level of care they need to maintain their accustomed quality of life. Aging With Comfort has experienced home health aides and available services, including meal preparation and caregiver services, to help people get the care they need. Contact our team to learn more about our services and how we can help the seniors in your life today.