According to Health, scientists have studied a group of seniors labeled as "superagers". These are individuals who enjoy excellent health, long into their 80s and beyond. What these studies discovered was that superagers maintain a healthy lifestyle and reap the rewards for doing so.
There are many protective factors that can help you age well and become a superager when you retire in the tranquil community of Atlantic, IA. Read on to learn more about what these factors are and how to incorporate them into your senior lifestyle.
Regular physical activity is a mood booster and the best way to keep your body strong and fit. When you exercise regularly, you protect your heart health, strengthen your muscles, and improve your balance and flexibility.
These are all markers of good health in your senior years, providing reserves of energy and protecting you from injury and illness.
As you reach your senior years, you don't have to spend hours on heavy weights at the gym to get all the benefits of exercise. Light workouts that don't put too much strain on the body are the best way to go.
Try these ideas:
If you are fortunate enough to be part of our community at Allen Place senior living, we've made an active life easy to achieve. On-site, we offer a fitness program for residents, and nearby there are parks, golf clubs, and scenic walking routes.
Seniors often find that their appetite declines.
That's because you may not be expending the same amount of energy, and muscles may be smaller. However, this can put seniors at risk of nutritional deficiency. Failing to get enough nutrients can leave you feeling weak, tired, and prone to viruses.
Focus on getting a balanced diet, and switch from three large meals to five or six smaller ones if you find your appetite has decreased.
Eat lots of lean protein, vegetables, fruit, and wholegrains. Additionally, avoid eating too much highly processed food that's heavy in sugar and salt. Instead, eat fresh, unprocessed food and meals cooked from scratch where possible.
At Allen Place, we have restaurant-style dining with an award-winning kitchen and chefs who cook creative, nutritious, and tasty food every day.
Even if you are a natural introvert, human connection can boost your mood, and it's crucial for mental health in your senior years. Loneliness and isolation can be a real problem in old age, leaving you vulnerable to risks that include depression, falls in the home, and cognitive decline.
Make sure your calendar has lots of social activities dotted through the week. That might be a meal with family, a phone call with a loved one, or a coffee morning with a close friend.
It's also good to do some group activities that help you meet new people. A quiz afternoon, exercise class, or group excursion to a nearby museum can all offer a chance for you to make conversation, laugh, and form bonds with other seniors.
It will have a positive impact on your well-being.
Keeping your brain health as you head into retirement can protect you from rapid cognitive decline, such as memory loss. Keeping your brain active is easy because it can be achieved by taking part in games and joining social gatherings.
Here are some ideas on how to protect cognitive health:
As you can see, there are lots of creative activities on the list. If you are part of Allen Place, you'll be able to find many creative and brain-stimulating group activities throughout the week.
Make sure you have a doctor who will take a proactive approach to your health. Screenings and vaccinations can protect you from a range of complications in your senior years. Plus, screening for certain cancers can be life-saving and protect you from complex, invasive treatment that impacts your quality of life.
Doctors will also check your overall health, such as taking your blood pressure, to see if you need to make any lifestyle improvements.
Seeing your doctor isn't the only way to take a proactive approach to healthcare. You should also make sure you have regular eye examinations and hearing tests, as well as regular checkups with your dentist.
Stress, worry, and low moodscan put you at risk of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. Poor mental health can also leave you with problems with your physical health, especially if it impacts your sleep.
Simple daily practices can help protect your emotional well-being. Here are some ideas:
Don't forget to keep a good sleep routine. Having enough sleep helps your body repair itself and leaves you with more energy and a more positive state of mind.
Your body can find movement harder as you get older. Problems with balance or limited mobility make it harder to navigate awkward spaces or staircases, and that makes you more prone to a fall.
Falling can lead to cuts, head injuries, broken bones, and a lengthy recovery period.
Risk-assess your environment and implement some changes that will make it more accessible. Even if you don't need these safety features now, it's good practice to ensure they are all set up should you need them in the future.
Add grab bars to bathrooms, install an easy-access bath or accessible shower, and choose non-slip flooring for your home.
If you want to stay in great health later in life, adopt some of these protective factors and lifestyle changes we've covered here. Caring for your mental and physical health will allow you to enjoy retirement to the fullest.
Embrace a senior lifestyle where your health and well-being come first by moving to Allen Place Senior Living. With an on-site fitness program, walking paths, landscaped gardens, and supportive staff, you have everything you need for an active retirement, so schedule a tour today.