How to Live a Happy Senior Life

Why do you think the older population thrives in senior living communities in Illinois? Are they happy being there? Apparently, senior living communities contribute to happiness.  

Study author Dr. Dilip Jeste, a geriatric psychiatrist, and director of the Center on Healthy Aging at the University of California, San Diego, says that we perceive older people as unhappy and depressed. But studies show otherwise. Happiness is thought to take a U-shaped curve throughout life. It gets to the bottom during middle age then slowly inches its way up as the person ages.  

How to Live a Happy Live While Aging

What Does Happiness Feel Like?

The goal of every human being is to be happy. Happiness is an emotion characterized by feelings of satisfaction, joy, and contentment. Can you be happy at any age? The answer is yes. Are seniors happy despite their age?  

Quite surprisingly, older people are happier in the sense that they are emotionally stable. Years of experiencing life’s stressors have made them wiser and more compassionate, allowing them to make better decisions.  

What Can the Elderly Do to Be Happy?

Stay Active

Studies show that exercise can help boost a person’s mood and make them happier. Exercising doesn’t have to be hardcore. One can do light exercises like going outside for a walk. According to experts, working out is an excellent way to beat the blues as your body releases happy hormones known as endorphins. If your parents haven’t been active lately, you can encourage them to start exercising. It’s never too late.  

According to a study in Harvard done on 1,600 men and women in the older population, incorporating light workouts into their usual routine, regardless if they used to exercise before, can reduce their chances of becoming disabled by up to 25%.

Besides becoming happier, exercise can relieve pain from conditions like pinched nerves and arthritis. Additionally, it helps the elderly maintain a healthy weight. A healthy weight can boost their immune system and lower their blood pressure.  

Watch Their Diet

Ideally, you should eat a nutritious diet throughout your life, especially when you’re older. To keep mealtimes enjoyable for your elderly parents, join them. Eating together will remove feelings of loneliness. Also, when preparing their meals, make them tasty and presentable to improve their appetite.    

Preparing healthy and nutritious meals is one of the struggles of busy family members, which is why they consider senior living communities for their parents. This gives them peace of mind knowing that their loved ones are well cared for - eating at the right time, with the right food, and having company during their meals. Focus on a high-fiber diet to aid in digestion. It’s also important to remind them to drink plenty of water.  

Having a Sense of Purpose

A sense of purpose is vital to a person’s mental and emotional well-being. When seniors feel that they don’t have a purpose, they are twice as likely to become anxious, withdrawn, and depressed. Seniors who have found their purpose are happier and more content with their lives.    

Being Social

Did you know that seniors who are socially active are happier and are less likely to feel stressed? Scientific evidence shows that loneliness will increase a person’s chances of becoming ill or depressed.  

In a study done in the UK, it was found that one million people can go for a month without seeing anyone. No matter how much of an introvert you think some people are, social interaction is still necessary for life as we are designed and programmed to be social creatures.  

Family members who make an effort to spend time with the elderly noticed that their parents looked happier and were more connected.  

What happens if most of their friends have passed on? If you cannot commit to seeing them daily because of other social obligations, you may want to encourage them to check out assisted living communities.  

These communities offer programs and activities that allow them to interact and socialize with people in their age groups. They’re also likely to meet other people who share the same values and interests as they do.  

Get Up to Date

Who says using the internet is only for young people? Since the older population have all the time in the world to relax and enjoy their lives, why not teach them how to use the internet and other social media platforms for entertainment?

They can listen to the top billboard hits, and maybe they’ll discover a new song they might like. You can also teach them how to use YouTube to listen to their favorite songs from the past.  

Studies show that listening to music will positively impact one’s memory and mood. In fact, doctors use music therapy on patients with dementia as it has led to improve cognitive function.  

Besides entertainment, they can also use the internet to stay abreast with the latest news, so they’ll know what’s happening in the world in real-time.  

Can Seniors Be Happy in a Senior Living Community?

Part of aging is accepting that their home will not be as lively and busy as it used to be. Eventually, their children will move out, leaving them alone in their homes.  

Living alone can have repercussions. Aside from being a safety hazard, it can also lead to loneliness and social isolation. Besides building friendships with other residents, these communities also ensure that the elderly are well cared for holistically. Food, transportation, and all other perks can be customized based on what you want for your loved ones.  

Interested in Senior Living Communities in Illinois?  

Senior living communities offer numerous benefits for the older population. It’s a safe and comfortable place where all their needs are catered for.    

If you want to talk to one of our advisors, feel free to visit us. We will work closely with you to find the perfect fit. We have been working with over 230 communities and have plenty of options to help you find what you need. Contact us today!