Today’s seniors have a difficult go of things. Families today spread out all over the nation and the globe, making regular trips to Grandma’s house difficult.
Many seniors lose those they love the most as they enter the sunset years and must try to build new relationships during the twilight of their lives. And some suffer from severe financial stress as well.
Society can do many things to make life easier on older adults in the U.S. Like anyone else, seniors need love, companionship and the feeling of being needed and important.
Getting healthy nutrition and exercise improves life expectancy and overall quality as well, and participating in activities that help build new friendships improves outlooks.
Finally, we can do more to help seniors enjoy financial peace of mind and comfort in their later years.
1. Help Foster Healthy Relationships
Death may be a natural part of life, but that doesn’t make it easier for those who lose people they love. Here are five ideas for seniors to meet others and form new friendships.
- Silver Sneakers: This program features specially trained physiologists who lead older adults in gentle cardio, weight training and flexibility exercises. Participants use chairs for safety and balance. Often, those in the class become as close as family members.
- Senior yoga and tai chi: Both of these ancient exercise forms improve senior balance and stability to prevent falls. Most community centers offer such classes, and some even offer transportation for adults who no longer drive. Improve health, flexibility and make new friends through such classes.
- Old-school sock hops and ’60s dances. As dance fitness expert Kieara LaShae says, “If you can move, you can dance.” Many community centers offer mixers like senior sock hops popular with older adults. Some cruise lines even have special excursions for seniors featuring their favorite music artists of yesteryear.
- Arts and crafts activities: Many community centers have a variety of arts and crafts activities for free or nearly free. Sharing mutual loves like quilting with others fosters friendships.
- Volunteering in the community: Helping others gives seniors a sense of purpose. Participating in highway cleanups, helping out at local animal shelters and volunteering at the polls can help older adults meet new people.
2. Improve Access to Pets and Pet Care
Pets bring richness and love to many lives, including seniors. A small dog or a kitty or two can help isolated elderly feel less lonely.
Many seniors shy away from owning pets, fearing they may pass before their fur babies do. Community centers can help by hosting guest workshops on setting up a pet trust to care for beloved animals if their owner can no longer care for them.
More active seniors can sign up on sites like Care.com to work as at-home pet sitters if they don’t want the responsibility of taking on a puppy all by themselves.
3. Help Seniors Keep Financial Peace of Mind
Many seniors find managing the cost of living difficult. Many reach their sunset years without adequate retirement savings. Others may find the responsibilities of keeping up their home on their own intimidating, and hiring contractors and cleaners expensive.
Active senior care communities can provide financial peace of mind, as well as a higher level of safety for older adults at risk of falls or other injuries. They also help aging individuals stay healthy by offering a variety of activities to help them build friendships, get gentle exercise and learn new cooking skills.
4. Keep Seniors Looking Great
Growing older doesn’t mean ceasing to take pride in personal appearance. Taking seniors for regular hair and nail appointments makes them feel their best. Walking clubs that encourage friendship and exercise help active adults maintain a healthy body weight.
Providing transportation to local shopping centers and malls allows elderly individuals to enjoy a bit of retail therapy just like in the good old days — even if they spend most of their budget on the grandkids.
5. Promote Healthy Eating Habits
Who says even senior whizzes in the kitchen can’t learn new tricks? Senior cooking classes allow active adults to learn new research about nutrition that can help them maintain a healthy weight and increase their energy.
Plus, it’s fun to learn new techniques, like how to whip up these tasty and healthy Asian lettuce wraps that pack a ton of flavor with few calories.
6. Help Seniors Use Online Tools
With families scattered to the seven winds, helping seniors use online tools such as social media to keep in touch with distant loved ones helps beat loneliness. Classes that help older adults use these tools can help them feel more secure on the web and avoid scams.
Additionally, specially designed gadgets such as the Grandpad help those with arthritis that makes typing difficult get online and sharing media more readily.
Better Living in the Sunset Years
America’s seniors have worked hard their entire lives, and they deserve to spend their later years in comfort and style. By expanding programs and facilities designed for older adults, we as a society can show members of the aging population the respect and love they need.
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