GUEST POST BY - Kimberly Hayes
Essential Tips for Dealing With Stress When You’re a Senior
As we approach our senior years, we’ve lived a long life, and we’ve learned a lot along the way. However, with age also comes stresses that we may not have had in our younger days. Today, we discuss a few of these and offer a bit of advice on how to overcome some of the issues that go along with having lived six decades or more.
Declining Health
There are many different health issues that may pop up with age. Declining mobility, poor vision, and even difficulty hearing are all common. In addition to physical issues, seniors should also pay close attention to their emotional well-being. Life Senior Services explains that mental health issues, although common, are not a normal part of aging. Seniors are encouraged to look for ways to improve themselves from the inside out. This might mean reading a book that inspires you, spending a few quiet moments alone in meditation, or skipping the mainstream media in looking for positive news stories.
Healthcare Cost
With healthcare issues come healthcare costs. Unfortunately, not all seniors qualify for every part of Medicare. However, as CareGivers America explains, Medicare Part B and Part D are usually accessible to everyone. To cover Part A, which is hospital insurance, you may have to get a part-time job. Or, if you are considered low-income, you may qualify for Medi-Cal, which covers preventative care, doctor visits, and emergency services.
Isolation
Isolation is a significant problem among seniors and especially those who may not have access to social opportunities or transportation. If you have family and friends nearby, ask them to come for a visit. You might also join a senior center (if you are not already living in an assisted living facility where other seniors are) or look for affordable options, such as GoGoGrandparent or Veyo, which can offer transportation to places like the grocery store or medical appointments. Sometimes, just getting out of the house for a few moments can help you feel connected to others.
If isolation has you feeling depressed or anxious, Cherished Voices Counselling Services can help you navigate and overcome your challenges.
Where To Live
Finding a senior-friendly house requires careful consideration of factors such as accessibility, safety, and convenience, and can involve searching for one-level homes, wide doorways and hallways, grab bars and handrails, non-slip flooring, and proximity to medical facilities and amenities specifically designed for seniors. Consulting with a real estate agent who specializes in senior living or hiring an aging-in-place specialist can also be helpful in identifying suitable properties that meet your specific needs and preferences.
Lack Of Engagement
When we are young, we spend our time working, caring for children, and then later in life, even caring for our own aging parents. But, once we reach “a certain age,” it becomes more difficult to stay engaged in our lives. We may have very little to do, and this can cause boredom and, worse, take a toll on mental health. Silver Cuisine recommends simple steps, such as getting a pet, working a puzzle, or starting a new hobby, to stay mentally and physically active. None of this means that you have to forgo relaxation time, but keeping your mind and body moving is a great way to maintain and even improve your overall quality of life.
It is not possible to sidestep all of the issues that come with age. However, seniors, such as yourself, can take life back with the tips above. Whether you are concerned about declining health, expenses, isolation, a place to live, or keeping yourself busy, you don’t have to rearrange your entire life to make changes that will benefit you every day.
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