Retirement represents a new stage in life when seniors get to enjoy greater freedom. After years of being bogged down by their employers’ expectations, they now get to live life on their own terms. While being free to create their own schedules is great, seniors should avoid doing these seven things that can interfere with their wellbeing.
1. Get Off Schedule
One of the most noticeable things about retirement is that seniors don’t have to be somewhere at a set time each day. While it’s okay to occasionally sleep in, it’s important to not go overboard. Encourage your aging loved one to create a regular routine that helps him or her do all the things he or she needs to do each day.
2. Eat an Unhealthy Diet
The refrigerator can get mighty tempting when a senior is at home all day. If your loved one lives alone, he or she might think there’s no point in making a meal for him or herself, which could lead to snacking on unhealthy foods. Suggest eating three healthy meals a day, and invite a caregiver to join your loved one if your parent doesn’t want to eat meals alone.
A home caregiver can help your loved one plan and prepare nutritious meals. 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 senior care. Home Care Assistance provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
3. Drink Too Much Alcohol
Some seniors might have had to watch how much they drank when they had careers, since showing up for work hung over doesn’t get a person too far. Now that your loved one is at home, he or she might feel tempted to indulge in an extra glass of wine at dinner. Though seniors may not need to show up for work, they’ll still feel bad the next morning if they go overboard. Seniors should stick to the daily recommended amount of alcohol for their ages, genders, and body types so they can maintain their health.
4. Spend Large Amounts of Money
For most seniors, retirement means living on a fixed income, which means they need to carefully consider the financial impact of any major purchases they make. Naturally, your loved one may need to buy important things, such as an appliance for the home, but he or she might be able to skip other purchases. For instance, your loved one can go without a car completely by arranging for transportation services if he or she doesn’t like driving anyway.
5. Move from Home Before It’s Time
The family home may feel too big once the kids have moved out, and seniors may feel lonely if they’ve lost their spouses. While some seniors might think moving to a group living facility is a good option, this can cause them to dip deeply into their savings. Encourage your loved one to try aging in place for as long as possible so he or she benefits financially and emotionally from staying independent.
6. Refuse Help from Others
Your loved one may not want to be a burden, but this is a time when he or she can let others pitch in. You might want to arrange for someone to help your loved one clean the house or do the grocery shopping. Make arrangements that allow your loved one to focus on staying healthy and preventing injuries.
Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality home care services. Edmonton families trust Home Care Assistance to help their elderly loved ones age in place safely and comfortably.
7. Give Up on Socialization
Going to work puts people in touch with others every day. After retiring, seniors need to make a concerted effort to socialize with friends. Encourage your loved one to go out to events in the community and pick up the phone to call people he or she cares about. Your loved one will feel happier every time he or she is around other people.
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. Reach out to us if you need compassionate, professional care for your loved one. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (780) 490-7337 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.