All What You Must-Do & Must-Not-Do
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As we lead our lives as seniors it is most important to look out for ourselves.
We need to do so primarily to lead a quality life in our senior years and to not create
trouble for others. Our spouse, our children, our family, our friends, our
doctor, etc.
What are the ESSENTIALS i.e. what is it that we
Must-Do and Must-Not-Do in order to be okay and be
taking care of ourselves. So as to not cause distress to ourselves
or loved ones?
What
Seniors Must Do
Some
forms of Exercise for the Body & Mind – Walking, Yoga, Stretching,
Strength Training with Weights, Squats & Lunges. Better still do all of
these. Or just Walk for about half an hour daily. Exercise as per your capability and health
conditions
WHY?
Exercise is proven to help improve Strength, Flexibility, Balance, and Cardiovascular
health.
Exercise helps keep your weight in check
Mental Stimulation: Engage in activities that stimulate the mind, such as reading, puzzles, socializing, or learning new skills. This helps maintain cognitive function and mental well-being. I am a great believer in keeping the mind busy by learning…online courses on stuff as diverse as Real Estate and SEO! Even at 63, I look out for new recipes to try out
Maintain a healthy senior-friendly diet - include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
Restricting oil and sugar as indulging in this can worsen existing health
issues like cholesterol, diabetes, and hypertension.
Enough Fibre to get your bowels moving in the morning
Soft foods as our teeth may no longer have the required bite!
And let’s not forget Hydration. Enough fluids to digest the food we eat, to not get
constipated, and to not get dehydrated.
Taking Required Steps to Manage Your Health at Your End –
-
Regular Health Check-ups – Don’t miss the annual
Health Check-up
-
Your Medications- Take them regularly as prescribed,
-
Monitoring of Blood Sugar Levels and Blood Pressure
– There are testing machines available that are extremely user-friendly and
can be handled by seniors without requiring any assistance.
Getting adequate sleep - Try to ensure sufficient
and quality sleep. Establish a regular sleep routine, create a comfortable
sleep environment, and take up chronic sleep disorders or concerns with your doctor.
I have found out the hard way
that lack of sleep can enhance lifestyle ailments. Frequent days of inadequate
sleep would hike my blood sugar and blood pressure levels. Unable to sleep
for more than 4/5 hours at night I have
set aside a couple of hours in the afternoon to have a good nap. I feel better and so are my health parameters
Researchers at Harvard Medical School studied more than 2,800 individuals ages 65 and older participating in the National Health and Aging Trends Study to examine the relationship between their self-report of sleep characteristics in 2013 or 2014, and their development of dementia and/or death five years later. Researchers found that individuals who slept fewer than five hours per night were twice as likely to develop dementia, and twice as likely to die, compared to those who slept six to eight hours per night.
My mother’s story of pain and bewilderment began after her fall down a flight of just 12 steps at home.
After her fall she lost consciousness for about half an hour. We rushed her to the Emergency in a hospital close by. She had a hairline fracture in one rib. She suffered excruciating pain especially when she had to move her upper torso while lying down..
“There is no treatment for this. It will heal with time. Will definitely heal” said the experienced doctor. The pain stayed for a couple of months.
But the long-term damage was worse. She developed problems walking, and she had to deal with embarrassing incontinence.
Were all these problems due to her fall?? Well, they began after her fall.
Nobody had answers. There seemed to be a time lag in her brain responding to physiological stimuli.
She was a soldier who continued to smile and lived her life as best as she could.
Moral of the story – Do your best to avoid a Fall. Take All the recommended steps and more, towards that.
Stay Connected - Maintain an active social life and stay connected with family, friends, and communities.
Chat with friends on the phone, go out with them. To a movie or shopping or for a meal.
Talk to your neighbors.
Stay engaged with relatives. Attend the wedding of your husband's niece's sister-in-law. She reached out, sent you a card and even called.
Social
interactions can provide emotional support, reduce loneliness, and enhance
overall happiness.
I love those Reunion Parties our school group organizers every now and then. We meet only to have fun. Nobody asks personal questions about another.
However, IF somebody wants to talk or just vent about their personal life we let her do it. We give our ears, our attention. No unsolicited advice is given.
What Seniors Must-NOT Do × ×
Ignoring Health Symptoms – Pay attention to any unusual or persistent symptoms and promptly seek medical attention.
Ignoring symptoms can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
We have a better chance of beating dreaded ailments like cancer if it is detected early.
Also by taking quick and early care of symptoms, the quality of your life will improve. Everyday living will be less of a pain
Neglecting Safety Measures - AVOID neglecting Safety Measures both inside and outside your home.
Hold on to handrails on stairs and escalators.
Wear Seat belts
Wear the right footwear. I have stopped wearing high heels after 2 accidents when I tripped and fractured a bone in my foot (the fifth metatarsal).
Isolation and Inactivity: Avoid isolating yourself or leading a sedentary lifestyle.
Stay socially active.
Engage in physical activities as much as possible to maintain physical and mental well-being
Ignoring Emotional Well-being: Prioritize emotional well-being by addressing feelings of stress, anxiety, or depression.
Seek support from friends and support groups when needed. I would say this is most important when you lose your spouse or partner. I have seen friends completely withdraw after the passing of their spouse.
The number one thing that seniors must do is prioritize their overall health and well-being. This includes taking proactive steps to maintain physical fitness, mental stimulation, and social connections, as well as seeking regular medical check-ups and following healthcare recommendation
The number one thing that seniors must not do is neglect their safety. Safety should be a top priority, both at home and when engaging in daily activities. Neglecting safety can lead to accidents and injuries that may have serious consequences for their health and quality of life.
