This is the time of year when New Year’s Resolutions begin to fizzle and we fall behind on the goals and practices we aimed to incorporate into the new year. The global pandemic inspired many of us to make resolutions to be more mindful and attentive to our mental well-being. Since COVID-19 and the stay at home order forced us into isolation, the mental health of the aging population has been put through difficult tests as well, and it is important to remember that emotional well-being is something that needs to be practiced every day.
Many families are separated due to the pandemic, leaving senior family members alone in order to decrease their exposure to others. However, efforts to keep elderly family members safe can blind us to their quality of life at home. There are several things we can do for close friends and family members who are aging, struggling with their mental health, and dealing with isolation and depression.
An extremely important aspect of a healthy lifestyle, and a way to improve the quality of life for older adult living, is creating a schedule. First and foremost, sleeping problems tend to heighten depression or feelings of isolation. Creating a sleep routine enables older adults to keep a regular sleep schedule, allowing them to find energy throughout the day for activities. Organizing a weekly schedule with an elderly loved one helps build a sense of purpose throughout each day by looking forward to an event or responsibility.
To make a schedule and routine, it is important to speak with your senior friends or family members to determine the goals they want to create and look forward to week after week.
Some ideas that you can implement into a weekly schedule include:
- Healthy Eating and Living: Older adults should be including fiber and protein dense foods into their diets. By taking time to plan meal preferences for the week, or teaching how to cook certain meals, quality of life will improve and mealtime can be something to look forward to.
- Physical Health: Incorporating fitness into a senior’s life can be a great way to set goals each week. This can mean a daily or weekly walk around the neighborhood, or merely getting outside to sit in the sun. Being active and incorporating the outdoors will increase physical stamina and endurance.
- Time for Socialization: Encouraging your loved one to spend time at least once a week visiting friends and family will improve mental and emotional health by fighting the loneliness that accompanies isolation. The pandemic can make this interaction feel impossible, so scheduling time for calls or family Zoom sessions will help seniors feel included and give your loved one an event to look forward to each week.
- In-Home Care: Hiring a caregiver may be a necessary step for an older adult, which will be extremely beneficial to ensure that their physical and mental well-being is carefully looked after. The aide can also assist in maintaining weekly schedules and calendars with appointment times and visits.
- Engaging in Hobbies: For seniors, creating a genuine interest in an activity or hobby can be essential for an improved quality of life. Sometimes this means help is necessary in motivating the elder to start new activities, such as gardening, volunteer work, or household hobbies like knitting or puzzles. These small day-to-day distractions can have large impacts on the lives of older adults because they will look forward to their free time.
The best way to start organizing a routine schedule for a senior is to talk with them about their goals, concerns, and activities they enjoy or have always wanted to start. Emotional well-being is something that is difficult to maintain, however, it is just as important as physical health and deserves the same attention, especially during a pandemic.
