Senior Living Care: Wellness Trends That Aging Parents Can Benefit From
Seniors in today’s world are living longer than ever before, and their wellness practices are changing to guarantee that every day offers not just good physical health but also a sense of fulfillment and purpose. For this reason, a lot of senior living facilities like Vivante are approaching senior health from a variety of angles.
Senior living facilities are shifting from a care-first mentality toward a healthy lifestyle with alternatives for care, according to a survey conducted by the International Council on Active Aging.
Here are a few instances of how modern technology and age-old methods are being incorporated into senior living health and wellness trends, which go beyond a salad and a treadmill session.
Better Technology
Many senior communities are using smart technology to promote a holistic lifestyle. Senior living wellness ideas range from medicine dispensers with timers and smart lighting to training equipment that allows you to submit customized routines for the fitness facility.
Additionally, telehealth is being adopted by communities so that citizens may get remote medical care through video chat.
The popularity of wearable smart technology, such as smartwatches, has made it possible for seniors to routinely check vital health indicators, such as oxygen levels, heart rate, and heart rhythm. Additionally, certain applications can support monitoring stress, diet, and glucose levels.
Many smartwatches can even recognize when the user has fallen and immediately summon emergency services and pre-identified emergency contacts if the user is not responding.
The majority of elderly people use their smartwatches’ health reports to aid in preventative wellness, even while the emergency response feature is comfort. Seniors may make educated decisions to gradually enhance their health with the support of this real-time input. Additionally, doctors may access the data and use it to get comprehensive information for diagnosis.
The fitness coordinators at retirement communities receive this individualized data from seniors, which they use to assist create a plan to reach their objectives.
Gut Health Checks
When it comes to eating, seniors and their healthcare teams are considering factors other than calories. Researchers are focusing more on how nutrition affects healthy aging and how food powers the body. The impact of the microbiome on gut health is the subject of fascinating new studies.
Bacteria in the intestines and stomach make up the microbiome. Everybody has a diverse microbiome, and some microorganisms are linked to heart disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and some cancers.
Researchers are uncovering ties between bacteria and mental health issues including anxiety, depression, and dementia as they continue to explore the relationship between the stomach and the brain.
Although researchers are experimenting with novel approaches to affect gut flora, leafy greens, fruit, and vegetables are recommended for people as a source of essential fiber.
A growing number of elderly patients are discussing daily dietary decisions they make to support a healthy microbiome with their physicians and dietitians. to promote senior health and well-being, the majority of senior living communities already confer with nutritionists; some are even going above and beyond in this regard.
In an attempt to include a farm-to-table philosophy into their eating experience, they even harvest products from their community gardens wherever possible.
Alternative Wellness Techniques
Many seniors are supplementing standard medical treatments with holistic therapies like massage, mindfulness, and meditation to reduce stress and develop a deeper connection to their inner selves.
Massage has been shown to alleviate osteoarthritis pain, increase range of motion, decrease blood pressure, and boost the immune system in addition to reducing muscle and joint discomfort.
Since meditation has been practiced for thousands of years, it is much more than just a wellness trend. However, recent studies have shown that meditation may have a positive impact on general health, which has led to a global resurgence in its use.
It has been demonstrated that mindfulness and meditation can help with a wide range of illnesses, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and chronic pain.
For this reason, a growing number of senior living homes have included classes like tai chi and yoga in their schedule of activities. To encourage residents to pursue improved physical and mental wellness, several communities are constructing on-campus spas and meditation studios.
Continued Education
Exercise for the mind is just as important as physical exercise for senior well-being. Learning a new skill or delving into an unfamiliar topic can promote neuronal development and halt the aging process. However, continuous education has psychological as well as intellectual advantages.
Acquiring new information has also been demonstrated to improve one’s self-image and fight depression.
Seniors are becoming a statistically significant cohort in higher education, to the point that some universities are changing their policies to accommodate them. Professors are being asked to wear microphones during their lectures, and syllabi with bigger fonts are being supplied.
Additionally, seniors can get free or reduced tuition at colleges and universities in some states around the country.
Retirement homes provide on-site education programs and frequently invite guest speakers to speak. Some have partnered with Learning Institutes to facilitate simple access to a wide range of course offerings. Additionally, some communities have been developed directly on college campuses for seniors who choose to attend classes.
For older folks who would like to have more casual educational experiences, there are other excellent options. Video programs covering everything from the Foundations of Western Civilization to How to Play the Piano are available from companies such as MasterClass and The Great Courses.
Additionally, a lot of senior care facilities host get-togethers for interested residents to appreciate the material, which also adds a positive social element.
Creating a Lifestyle Centering on Wellness
Senior living facilities of today keep a watch on emerging scientific discoveries and contemporary technologies. Numerous modern wellness and health trends can lengthen life or enhance everyday activities. The ultimate objective is to provide senior residents with a happy, balanced lifestyle both now and in the future.
To encourage the well-being of their residents, senior living facilities are often introducing fresh programs and projects.
