5 Essential Lifestyle Tips for the Senior Citizen

Seniors that enjoy an active and social lifestyle improve their health and extend longevity. Family members may think that because you’re aging, you should focus on staying in and spending your time with the cat while you read a book. There’s no need for you to live up to this stereotype.

Get out in the sunshine and fresh air while you enjoy a game of golf. Head over to the clubhouse for a lunch date with another senior community member and finish off the day by raising the stakes at a poker game with your friends.

Enjoying your golden years of life is about your approach to life. Staying physically and mentally fit into your twilight years ensures you make the most out of your time and relationships. Here are 5-essential lifestyle tips for the senior citizen. Implement them in your life and watch your enthusiasm explode and your relationships continue to blossom.

1. Get Social

Staying social for seniors doesn’t mean you need an Instagram account. Healthy lifestyle practices include getting out of the house or flat and enjoying your time with other people. Search for community centers in your area that offer entertainment afternoons or evenings for seniors.

Meet a friend and take up a salsa class, or congregate with your friends for a game of bridge. Building your relationships in your senior years keeps your mind active and wards off feelings of loneliness.

Seniors are prone to developing mental health issues such as depression and anxiety if they spend their lives in isolation. If you’ve lost your life-partner, find a support group where you can talk about your feelings. Keeping your emotions bottled up inside of your mind will torture you into depression.

2. Take Precautions

Seniors are at higher risk for slip-and-fall accidents. Is your home secure and safe? Hire an occupational therapist to assess your home for hazards. Fit anti-slip mats in the bathtub and under rugs. Install handrails to help you up the stairs and in and out of the tub.

Ask your therapist about medical alert devices to ensure you have access to emergency services if things take a turn for the worst.

3. Stay Healthy and Mobile

It's critical for seniors to watch what they eat and stay as mobile as possible. Being mobile doesn't mean you need a car, we're talking about your physical capabilities. Stretching and practicing mobility drills should be part of your daily routine.

Mobility is possibly the most critical part of aging. If you suffer from reduced mobility, you’re more likely to develop osteoarthritis or advance existing structural disorders.

Visit a professional sports therapist for an exercise plan that includes light exercise, stretching and mobility work to keep fit and improve cardiovascular health.

4. Find a Hobby

What do you enjoy doing with your time? If your day consists of sitting in an armchair and watching TV, you might want to reconsider your routine. What do you enjoy doing? Is there a hobby you’ve always wanted to try, but never managed to start?

Gardening, knitting, and playing card games with friends are examples of activities that keep your body and mind occupied. Seniors that don’t take the time to stay physically and mentally fit, eventually lose their health.

Dementia and Alzheimer's disease affect over 11-percent of seniors over the age of 80-years old. In many cases, it’s possible to prevent the onset of these diseases through physical and mental stimulation. Don't let your mind slip away, be proactive and keep your mind and body fit.

5. Hire an Aide

We all need support to get through the challenges life presents us. Seniors often refuse assistance because it dents their pride. An aide can assist you in taking care of chores and errands while you enjoy other things in life that keep your happy and healthy.

Some States offer government assistance programs for senior aide care. Speak to a local authority in your area for information.