Worldwide, there are an estimated 450,000 centenarians, people who are living to 100 years old and beyond. In Japan alone, the centenarian population has quadrupled in the last decade. There’s also been a rise in the number of supercentenarians, or individuals who live past their 110th birthdays. By studying the lifestyle habits of the Okinawans of Japan, some of the longest-living and healthiest people on Earth, it’s possible to adopt their best practices to encourage healthy longevity and quality of life. Below are several ways to implement these lifestyle behaviours so your senior loved one may join the ranks of centenarians.
Go on a Culinary Adventure
Seniors can avoid boredom in the kitchen by adding new fresh fruits and vegetables to creative and exciting dishes. Substitute coconut milk in morning cereal for a refreshing change, or try quinoa, a wildly popular ancient grain. Exploring culinary creativity at home has the added benefit of allowing your loved one to try an assortment of nutritional foods until finding dishes that are best suited to his or her taste buds.
If your loved one needs help with maintaining a healthy diet, a home caregiver can be a wonderful resource. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of in-home care. You can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide an individualized care plan to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia.
Enjoy the Company of Family Members & Pets
Encourage your loved one to register for classes at a local community centre or organize weekly activities with friends. Socializing has a slew of health benefits and, more importantly, can boost mood. Companionship from a pet can also reduce stress and boost mood.
For families living in Edmonton, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Home Care Assistance, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
Show Off New Skills
There’s no age limit to learning, so encourage your loved one to pick up a book, join a class, or research online to learn something new. YouTube has a vast library of videos, and it’s a great place to learn how to play a new instrument, speak a new language, or pick up expertise on a variety of topics.
Get Moving
Physical exercise has proven benefits for both the body and the mind. Instead of sitting around, try adding some fun into your loved one’s exercise routine by playing his or her favourite tunes. In addition to boosting mood, research has shown that music increases physical endurance, so turn up the volume and encourage your loved one to dance.
Find a Passion & Follow It
If your loved one doesn’t already have a favourite hobby, don’t fret. Your parent can try new things by enrolling in a local yoga class, organizing a hike with friends, or traveling to a new country. Seniors never know when—or where—they’ll find their passion.
Hiring a professional caregiver is one of the best ways to ensure your loved one makes healthy lifestyle choices that promote longevity. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of home care. Edmonton Home Care Assistance provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives. To learn about our high-quality in-home care options, give us a call today.