Life after retirement is not always easy. During the senior years, a health crisis, financial worries, and losing loved ones can all add up to a great deal of stress. Though many of these events cannot be prevented, it is possible for your elderly loved one to focus on keeping a positive mindset. Tucson elderly care experts recommend using these 5 strategies to remain emotionally healthy in the golden years.
1. Pull Out the Coloring Books
You might have noticed adult coloring books lining the shelves of stores recently, and it turns out this popular activity is more than just a way to pass the time. Art therapists have found coloring in mandalas has an effect similar to meditation. While coloring, the mind is allowed to wander, and the soothing action keeps negative thoughts away.
2. Express Gratitude
During the course of a day, it is easy to become focused on negative events. Expressing gratitude forces your loved one to notice the good things that have happened instead. Encourage your loved one to write down the things he or she is thankful for. This action allows him or her to revisit these thoughts later when he or she needs a quick boost.
3. Get Rid of Clutter
Clutter is not just unsightly. It also generates feelings of anxiety. Whether your loved one feels like he or she should be dusting knickknacks or worries about finding important paperwork under the pile on his or her desk, it just causes stress. Create a clutter removal plan, and encourage your loved one to stick to it. Each mess your loved one clears out of the house will be one less burden off of his or her shoulders.
4. Schedule Time for Socialization
Today’s active seniors know the days can get busy, which means it’s easy to overlook the importance of enjoying some casual conversation. Your loved one should schedule an hour or so each day to sit down with a friend, family member, or Tucson respite caregiver. Whether your loved one talks about his or her worries or just trades stories, he or she will look forward to the refresher each day.
5. Find a Sense of Purpose
Leaving a career or facing an empty nest can be detrimental to your loved one’s confidence. However, this new life stage simply means your loved one can finally be anything he or she wants to be. Encourage your loved one to go back to school, volunteer, or just pamper his or her favorite puppy. Making the effort to find a purpose in life can help your loved one start each day with a fresh perspective on life.
To learn more about senior health and wellness, reach out to Home Care Assistance. Our caregivers can provide social stimulation, offer emotional support, and assist with household tasks, and we also provide comprehensive Parkinson’s post-stroke, and dementia home care Tucson, AZ, seniors and their families can rely on. For more information, please call (520) 276-6555 today.