Beating the Retirement Blues
Most people have their own visions of life after retirement. Some plan on taking trips, taking up an old hobby or spending more time with family and friends. However, things don’t always turn out as expected.
Retirees often find themselves feeling like they’re losing their sense of purpose and end up experiencing feelings of depression and anxiety. Also known as the retirement blues, these feelings can be pretty difficult to cope with and their management requires a considerable amount of time and energy.
Here are some tips that can help you deal with post-retirement blues.
4 Ways Socializing Benefits Older Adults
Humans, regardless of their age, have an innate need to socialize. Having a strong network of friends and family is essential for the emotional well-being of every individual, regardless of their age. However, keeping up with loved ones can sometimes be a challenge for older adults a.k.a seniors.
Health issues, mobility limitations, and decline of energy are some factors associated with old age that tend to leave a strong impact on the social life of elders. Absence of consistent social interactions can lead to deterioration of the cognitive health of seniors and may even result in reduced self-esteem. On the other hand, maintaining an active social life can decrease stress, lower anxiety levels and increase lifespan in seniors.
Muscle Building After 60: Paving The Path For Healthy Aging
As we age, our body’s functions deteriorate at several levels. We may be faced with changes in our musculoskeletal or cardiovascular health, we may experience restricted mobility. While these are all experiences that we can try to prepare for mentally and with our habits, what most seniors do not prepare for is age-related muscle loss, also known as sacropenia.
Sacropenia can start as early as 30 years in some cases and can cause a decrease of up to 5% muscle mass each decade.
Symptoms and Causes
Sacropenia may result in a reduction of the body’s ability to convert protein into energy. This may also lead to a decrease in muscle size and a loss of muscle fibers. The loss in energy may induce weakness, a decreased in stamina and may lead to a reduction in physical activity. Those suffering from sacropenia may also experience low levels of hormones, difficulty in maintaining balance and climbing stairs.
Sacropenia has the potential to greatly impact and impair a person’s functionality. Hence, it is crucial that a regular fitness regimen be in place to help you recover from the loss of muscle mass. Here are a few recommendations.
Ensuring Proper Nutritional Intake
As we age, our body’s daily calorie requirement lowers but we still need several other nutritional needs to account for. A balanced diet that includes lean protein, nuts, greens such as broccoli and spinach as well as food that is plentiful in calcium is a pre-requisite of a healthy diet for seniors. It is also crucial to take multivitamins daily and ensure that you are hydrated sufficiently.
Increase Reps, Not Weights
Increasing weights may lead to overexertion. Rely instead, on increasing the number of reps per exercise so that each muscle group is worked sufficiently to retain its mass. Break away from the typical pattern of 10 reps per set and work each muscle until you begin to feel fatigue.
Recovery Time Is Important!
According to research, it is more difficult for us to recover our muscles after a workout when we are older, as opposed to when we are younger. This means that older adults may subject themselves to the risks of overtraining, increasing their chances of overexertion and injury. It is therefore recommended that the workouts be spaced with rest days in between. Another way to ensure that you give yourself enough time to recover is by alternating between strength training and cardio workouts.
Looking for a senior living facility that helps seniors age healthily? Reach out to AvantGarde.
AvantGarde is a senior living facility and retirement community in Tarzana, CA that provides services in assisted living, elder care and memory care for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.
Book a tour at the AvantGarde facility, by calling (818) 881-0055 or visit their website for an online tour!
Risks of Caring for Someone with Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease is a challenging condition for the individual dealing with it and their loved ones and caretaker(s). Caring for someone with this debilitating condition requires precise care, and if handled incorrectly, can be risky for both the patient and the caregiver.Read more
Here’s What You Need to Know about Strokes in Elderly
Strokes are one of the leading causes of health concern in Americans today.
With over 800,000 people being affected by strokes annually, nearly 75 per cent of the victims of this disease are over the age of 65. It is the third-leading cause of death in the United States, along with being one of the leading causes of long-term disabilities among Americans.Read more
How to Choose the Right Senior Living Community for a Loved One
Choosing a senior care facility for your loved is one of the most difficult decisions you’ll ever make. But, it’s also one of the most important ones!
It’s understandable that you’re not sure where to begin and are struggling with so many options to choose from. Choosing the right facility isn’t easy but it’s not impossible either!
There are probably hundreds of assisted-living facilities nearby but only one of them will be the right choice. Here’s what you should take into consideration when making a decision:
Healthy Aging: Keeping Your Senior’s Mind Active
We often remind ourselves to exercise physically but we seldom remind ourselves to train our brains. It is important to encourage your seniors to stay fit both physically and mentally. When they participate in activities that challenge their brains, not only will they maintain good health, it will also greatly boost their mood.
It is important that seniors consistently participate in activities that help them keep mentally fit. Engaging the brain in creative ways will promote emotional and physical rejuvenation. It will also help them ward off degenerative mental illnesses such as Alzheimer’s or Dementia.Read more
Old Age Need Not Be A ‘Snore-Bore’ – 5 Fun Activities To Do In Assisted Living Facilities
Being safe, cared for, and healthy aren’t the only things that matter when you live in an assisted living facility; your happiness counts too.
Residents of a senior living community have the same basic needs as everyone else. No matter what age, they need to let loose and have some fun, to learn and explore new things, to laugh, and to live their lives to the fullest—which is why, activities in assisted living communities are more important than ever.
But a game of bingo or bridge isn’t enough. Although a classic enjoyable activity, seniors need fun and new things to keep them active and content.
Here are 5 entertaining things that seniors can take part in at an assisted living community:
1. Field Trips
Frequent field trips to exciting places such as sport games, museums, concerts and shows will provide great entertainment to your elderly. It serves as a change of scene and will make for a fun group activity.
2. Karaoke
It is never too late to sing your heart out, no matter how bad you sound. Karaoke has always been a fun activity and can greatly boost spirits. Engage in a fun singing session with other senior members. Assisted communities may even host an “American Idol” type of competition to make it more challenging and entertaining.
3. Dancing
Dancing keeps you physically fit and young at heart. Senior living residents can enjoy various kinds of dancing such as line dancing, ballroom dancing, swing dancing and more.
4. Virtual Games
It is never too late to play video games. Just because it’s new technology, senior members should not be deprived of fun Wii games. If they want to, senior residents can play a game of Wii tennis or bowling right in the living room.
5. Workshops and Learning Lessons
Learning new things and skills can bring great joy to anyone and is a sign of growth. Writing workshops are a great activity as they can help the elderly pen down their experiences or craft a new story to tell their peers.
Painting lessons and learning new languages is also great. Residents who are more literary inclined can form book clubs. Computer classes are also a great way to keep in touch with distant family members.
We know how important entertainment and fun activities are to your overall health. Our senior living community residents at AvantGarde Senior Living have daily fun-filled activities such as golf, corn hole toss, drum circles, group exercise classes and more.
If you are looking for a facility that provides both comfort and fun, schedule a tour or contact us at (818) 881-0055 right away!