Meeting The Needs of Our Seniors by Keeping Them Engaged

According to the United States Census Bureau, “By 2030, all baby boomers will be older than age 65. This will expand the size of the older population so that 1 in every 5 residents will be retirement age.” As the baby boomers age, they will soon outnumber the population of children in the United States. That is why it is important to understand the needs of the older population. Here are some ways to meet the needs of our seniors and keep them engaged.

Maintain Brain Health

Cognitive health is necessary for people of all ages, especially for senior citizens. Brain health is composed of sensory, emotional and motor functions which are responsible for how you feel, interpret and respond to emotions, and control movements. There are various therapeutic programs that will keep your brain active and help you feel more engaged with your surrounding community. Some of those programs include but are not limited to: art therapy, horticulture therapy, music therapy, pet therapy, and aromatherapy. It is important to remember that our seniors can still remain as active and engaged as they once were if we do our part to provide them with programs that intrigue the mind, engage the body and inspire the spirit.

Stay Active

One of the main reasons why the older population is living longer is due to maintaining a physically active lifestyle. As mentioned in an article by Vital Records at the Texas A&M University Health and Science Center, “Men and women in the U.S. are living longer and enjoying active lifestyles well into their 80’s and 90’s. Numerous studies have confirmed that eating nutritious foods, drinking plenty of water, getting an adequate amount of sleep and staying physically active can make a remarkable difference in the quality of life for older adults.” As we age, the loss of strength and stamina is partly caused by the absence of physical activity. The primary reason why older adults become hospitalized is falls which are usually caused by lower body extremity weakness. Preserving muscle strength is very important in the elderly population which can be executed through dancing, physical therapy and horticulture therapies like gardening and yard work.

Be Social

Remaining socially active is extremely important to our health and well-being, especially as we get older. Unfortunately, it can be remarkably easy for seniors to become socially isolated, especially if they suffer from mobility problems. For some, the simple decrease in energy levels can impact their ability to stay socially active. The risk of isolation in seniors can have significant negative impacts on their health and wellbeing, therefore, participating and engaging in social activities is imperative. Consider joining an adult day care center that offers activities and events designed to bring people together and promote active socialization.

At Spring Hills Senior Communities, our Signature Touch Programs offer a wide variety of unique and entertaining activities that seniors can engage with. Some examples of Signature Touch Programs that we offer include: live entertainment, Connections Support Group, and health & wellness seminars. Our Director of Resident Care, Oluburola Daniels, explains, “All of our associates are trained and specialize in meeting our senior’s needs by keeping them active and engaged. At Spring Hills, we promote a healthy lifestyle by making sure to engage with our seniors socially, physically and cognitively.” To find out more about our holistic approach to senior living, click here.