As people age, they view different parts of their experiences as important aspects of their lives. Their priorities change and shift as they grow older and their health changes. All of that can contribute to how they feel about life, or the quality of their life and their experiences. Having a good quality of life is a common goal, but it can be important to define that so that seniors are able to put plans in place that are more likely to help them meet their goals. Senior home care providers can help with this process.
Defining Quality of Life
There’s a lot that goes into a full definition of quality of life. Seniors need to maintain their physical health, mainly by eating well, getting exercise, and keeping health issues under control. Then there is mental health, including keeping their brains strong and ensuring that they are emotionally healthy. Managing stress, maintaining social connections, and feeling fulfilled with life are other parts of quality of life. It can help for family caregivers to talk with their aging family members about what quality of life means for them.
Why Is Quality of Life Important?
All of this is vital to happy, healthy aging because there are so many factors to consider. For instance, family caregivers might want their aging adults to move as they grow older, whether that is into their homes or into another type of retirement community. But someone who wants to age in place might find that to be stifling for them. It would decrease their quality of life to leave their home, so that decision would be one they would want to avoid.
Improving Quality of Life
Much of what seniors can do to improve their quality of life depends on the challenges they’re facing. Sometimes it means making better choices around things like physical activity, sleep, emotional well-being, and dietary habits. These types of choices might be ones that seniors have made in different ways for a long time, mainly because their quality of life supported different habits. It’s tough to change those habits overnight, and sometimes help makes a difference.
When Do Seniors Need Help with Quality of Life?
When seniors are struggling to do the things that help them to have the quality of life they want, they need help. That could mean that they need help getting dressed and changing clothes. Or it could mean that they need help with meal preparation and household tasks. Senior home care can offer specific types of help, depending on the needs of the person receiving care. Seniors don’t lose independence by receiving help. Instead, they’re able to improve their quality of life and continue to work toward their own goals, like aging in place.
Senior home care makes it easier for family caregivers to focus on quality of life for seniors, too. They’re able to rest easier knowing that their aging family members are in good hands and have help when and how they need it the most.
If you or an aging loved one is considering senior home care in Parker, CO, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY Home Care of Parker. 303-953-9924
