A healthy lifestyle is crucial for elderly individuals as it promotes overall well-being and quality of life. However, as your elderly mom or dad ages, they may lack nutrition, exercise, and mental well-being. But how can you talk openly about living a healthy lifestyle? The truth is the healthier your mom and dad are, the higher the quality of life they will have while they age in place. Here are some tips to help you understand how to talk to your senior loved one about changing their lifestyles.
Be Well Informed
Not everyone knows what is healthy immediately; you need to research or even encourage a senior to talk to their doctor. If you start paying attention to how your loved one is living, you can start with what they can and can’t do. If they need more help you cannot provide, it’s time to recommend hiring companion care at home, especially if they want to age. Companion care at home can help your loved one live independently by providing a routine, bathing assistance, food prep, and even friendship. You need to begin looking at your options and be informed about how to find the right person to help your loved one at home.
Practice Communication
Researching is only the first step to talking about lifestyle. You will then have to communicate it to your loved one. If you struggle with approaching the topic, try writing notes about what you want to say and practicing it first. If your loved one already has companion care at home, they may help you find ways to talk about changing lifestyle habits and give you pointers on talking to your elderly parents.
Start Small and Keep It Going
Lifestyle is not something you can change overnight. So, the best thing you can do is keep the discussion small and keep it as an ongoing discussion. Start with one simple task like walking 15 minutes daily; when your senior is comfortable doing that, set another goal together. When you keep it small and start with small goals, you can keep going week by week and month by month. The small changes and small talks will lead to big changes in their lives. Never overlook one small conversation because it can have a massive impact.
Involve the Team
Often, it takes a whole team to care for your senior loved one. You will want to talk to their doctors, companion care, and brothers and sisters. You will want to get everyone on the same page about your senior parent’s routines, and everyone should be continuously talking to them about making healthy choices. However, you should avoid ganging up on your seniors or being negative. You will want everyone to be gentle, encouraging, and positive when talking to your loved one.
Companion care at home can help encourage your loved one to make healthy changes a little at a time. They are the perfect helpers for when your loved one wants to age in place. They will help your seniors develop a routine promoting health and wellness.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering companion care at home in Burnsville, MN please contact the caring staff at Great Oak Senior Care, Inc. today. (952) 767-4925
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