The Importance of Wellness for Seniors

The Importance of Wellness for Healthy Seniors

As the population of older adults has grown so has the body of geriatric knowledge, improving upon the care provided to older adults. To that end, wellness has become relevant and mandatory factor in the delivery of geriatric care across the spectrum of health disciplines and has developed exponentially over a very short period of time. Today, we have come to recognize and realize a remarkable increase in the state of senior wellness through “person centered” programs in Long Term Care Facilities. Those “essential workers” that work diligently each day to ensure that each and every resident wakes up each morning with something to look forward to- a day that is individualized rather than institutionalized- a day that is meaningful and purposeful to the resident population regardless of their continued age progression. Achieving wellness is a common sense goal for anyone. But how does the concept of wellness benefits our aging population? A Yale study on aging and retirement found that seniors with a positive view of their lives lived an average of 7.5 years longer than those with more negative views. Older adults who are physically active have lower mortality rates, higher levels of functional and cognitive health, and are less likely to have heart disease or Type 2 diabetes. Memory function in seniors is improved by regularly doing tasks that require active engagement and that are challenging – like learning a new skill. Volunteering as a senior is associated with health benefits such as enhanced cognition, delayed physical disability, reduced risk of hypertension, lower mortality and an improved sense of well-being. Religious and spiritual involvement is associated with higher levels of well-being, lower rates of hypertension, and fewer strokes and less pain from illnesses. One study estimates that religious involvement prolongs life by about 7 years. An active social life is associated with better cardiovascular outcomes, greater immunity to infectious disease, less risk of depression and a longer life. So what does wellness really mean as you age? It may well be that those individuals that take an upbeat view toward growing older live longer. It may mean that these steadfast seniors refuse to be done. It means that they are given the opportunity to find ways to self-nurture and give themselves permission to work on being healthier, happier and enjoy life more fully.   If an upbeat view toward growing older truly extends people’s lives by more than an average of seven years that would be even more impressive than what other longevity promoters seem to be capable of accomplishing. For instance, low blood pressure has been associated with a four-year-longer life span; the same for low levels of blood cholesterol. Not smoking has been found to contribute between one and three years of added life and we have not even begun to mention the benefits of exercising. https://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176%2Fpn.37.18.0022b

The Dimensions of Wellness

Because humans are multifaceted creatures, wellness looks at different dimensions of life an accounts for ways that they are interconnected. When all dimensions function well, so does the human. Some of the most common dimensions of wellness: Emotional: Showing awareness and acceptance of your feelings, as well as the ability to express them in a healthy way. This includes how positively you feel about yourself and your life, the ability to manage your feelings, coping with stress and realistically assessing your limitations. Physical: Understanding your body and its relationship to nutrition and physical activity. As you might expect, it involves eating well, and building strength, flexibility and endurance in safe ways. But it is also about taking responsibility for your health, paying attention to your body’s warning signs and seeking medical help when necessary. Intellectual: Expanding your knowledge and skills through creative, stimulating mental activities. Think about ways you pursue personal interests, develop your intellectual curiosity, stay on top of current issues and ideas, and challenge yourself. Occupational: Contributing your unique skills and gifts to work that is rewarding and meaningful to you. It can mean working at a job, but it also means developing new skills, volunteering, mentoring, teaching or coaching others. For seniors, it may mean the celebratory reflection of former careers and life long pursuits. Spiritual: Recognizing the search for meaning and purpose, developing an appreciation for life and the world around you, and letting your actions become more consistent with your values and beliefs. Some people follow specific religious practices, while others lean toward a more general pursuit of harmony and self-awareness. Social: Contributing to the community and environment and recognizing the interdependence of people and nature. This is about making choices to build better personal relationships, a better living space and a better community.   https://www.whereyoulivematters.org/wellness-really-mean-age/   Wellness is an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. Wellness is more than being free from illness, it is a dynamic process of change and growth. "...a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."   You are the “essential workers” that create the opportunities for senior wellness.  Take pride in this amazing accomplishment