Healthy living tips for older adults
As a person ages, they can adopt certain behaviors to help them live healthier and improve their physical and mental health and quality of life.
A lot of the habits that make up healthy living as an older adult are important at any age. However, age-related physical changes and unique challenges of older age make many of these habits particularly relevant to individuals over the age of 65 years.
Here are some tips for living healthier as an older adult.
Sleep is a vital process for maintaining ideal physical and mental health for people of all ages. Sleeping well can improve performance in various key areas that may benefit older adults. These include:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults ages 65 years and older get
Although there are general recommendations for improving sleep hygiene, a person will want to consider their individual preferences when making changes to their sleep routine or bedroom environment.
The benefits of exercise for older adults are many and well-documented. The
“Exercise” is a broad term that includes a variety of activities. Anything that gets a person moving their body and stimulates the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems can count as exercise.
The CDC offers a
“Cognition” is the ability to think, reason, learn, and perform other similar tasks. As people age, it is
According to the NIA, there are various lifestyle factors that can also help improve cognitive health in older age. These include:
There are many apps and puzzle games on the market that claim to improve brain health with regular use. Many are not supported by scientific research.
While there is no harm in giving them a try, just be aware that they may not accomplish what they say.
Social connection is an important part of healthy aging. Research suggests that loneliness and isolation are
Life changes such as retiring from a job, losing a spouse, moving to a new location, or experiencing health challenges that affect mobility or independence can all contribute to a sense of isolation.
A person can foster social interaction by reaching out to friends and loved ones regularly and doing activities that get them engaged with others. Options include:
Older adults have certain dietary needs that differ from younger individuals. In its
Foods that contain protein include seafood, meat, beans, eggs, nuts, and soy products. B12 is an important nutrient for the brain, nerves, and red blood cells. It is present in many animal products, such as eggs and meat, but it is also present in fortified cereals.
Many older adults experience dehydration due to a reduced sense of thirst. This makes it important to make a conscious effort to stay hydrated.
Beyond these key tips, older adults should consider limiting the intake of processed foods, excess sodium, and fat.
The Mediterranean diet, in particular, has been shown to offer brain health benefits for older adults.
Aging is a natural human experience, and it is something to embrace. As a person ages, there are certain habits they can adopt and lifestyle factors to attend to that may help improve their quality of life during this time.
These fundamental habits involve exercising regularly, sleeping well, eating nutritious foods, connecting with others, and exercising the mind.