Who doesn’t look forward to making the most out of their golden years? Learn how to maintain independence as you grow older, so you can make your retirement everything you want it to be.
How to Maintain Independence as You Grow Older
Whether you have big dreams of travel and adventure, or you’re just excited to be able to sleep in on a weekday, odds are good you have some things you’ve been looking forward to during your golden years. Unfortunately, even the best laid plans can be derailed by health problems and other issues that can make it more difficult to live independently. In order to make sure you can make the most out of your golden years, it’s important to learn how to maintain independence as you grow older. So, how can you do that?
Maintain Your Health
No matter who you ask, a healthy lifestyle is key to maintaining your independence as you age. Focusing on maintaining and improving your health can help you avoid common senior ailments like hypertension and diabetes. In order to keep yourself healthy as a senior, the experts recommend focusing on diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes:
- If you aren’t exercising regularly, now’s the time to start. Doctors recommend aiming for 20 to 30 minutes of activity a day. Even something as simple as a daily walk can help you build muscle and improve your cardiovascular fitness.
- Be sure to focus on healthy foods when planning out your weekly meals. Because seniors often have smaller appetites, it’s important to be strategic about the food you eat. An occasional treat is fine, but your diet should be built around foods that provide the best nutritional value possible. Focus on lean proteins, fruits and vegetables, and foods that are high in fiber.
- Make your doctor your healthcare ally. See them regularly, especially if you have chronic conditions they’re helping you manage. If they prescribe medications, be sure to take them as directed, and let your doctor know if you need to discontinue them for any reason.
Stay Engaged with Life
A well-earned rest is one of the best parts of retirement, but what will you do with the rest of your time? Seniors who maintain their independence use their time to connect with their community in a variety of ways:
- Retirement is a great time to build up your social network. Seniors who go out of their way to maintain friendships and relationships with family members are less likely to report feelings of loneliness and have better mental health overall.
- Did you know that a third of all volunteers in the United States are over the age of 55? Seniors are coveted volunteers at nonprofits because of the value of their life experiences, and they enjoy stronger community connections as a result.
- If you’re already socially active, consider other ways you can enrich your life. For example, engaging in creative pursuits like art and writing has been shown to lift senior spirits, improve mental health, and foster a greater sense of independence for participants. What can you do to make your life more creative and fun?
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No matter who you ask, the experts tend to agree: When planning how to maintain independence as you grow older, a healthy body and a healthy mind are key. That’s why we work hard to make sure every senior at Springhouse Village can have an active and engaging lifestyle. Learn more by calling us today!
At Springhouse Village, we know how important it is to enjoy your retirement in a lively and welcoming environment. We make it easy for our residents to be active participants in our community. Whether that means encouraging residents to join an exercise class or assisting them in starting a garden club, we strive to help our residents thrive. To learn more about the amenities and services we offer, contact Springhouse Village today by sending us a message online or calling 417-708-3403.