Regardless of a person's age, we need a sense of purpose, of belonging, and of being valued. Cognition, the ability to think, learn, and remember clearly, often changes as we age. While some people develop Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia, many older adults experience more modest changes in memory and thinking. Research shows that eating healthy, staying active and learning new skills can help keep older adults cognitively healthy.
We must also address their mental and emotional needs to help them have a positive outlook on life. Whether this means helping to prepare food, delivering it, or simply sharing simple recipes, it can make a big difference in an older person's quality of life. Striving to spend more time with family and friends can do wonders for the health and quality of life of older people. All of these suggestions can be great starting points when it comes to improving the quality of your life. According to the Center for Better Ageing, people between 50 and 60 years old today face worse circumstances than those of the previous generation, and 1 in 5 people in this age group is likely to face multiple long-term problems related to physical and mental health, lifestyle and material circumstances.
Research on music, theater, dance, creative writing and other participatory arts promises to improve the quality of life and well-being of older adults, from improved cognitive function, memory and self-esteem to reduced stress and greater social interaction. However, it's not just physical health that contributes to an older person's quality of life, but mental health is also crucial. Scientific evidence suggests that people who exercise regularly not only live longer, but they can also live better, meaning they enjoy more years of life without pain or disability. Family and friends can help by drawing on the knowledge and experience that their older person has accumulated over the course of their life. Providing opportunities to foster this sense of purpose, whether volunteering at a local charity, counseling young people, or gardening, can significantly improve the quality of life for older people.
Whether taking a leisurely walk, practicing yoga or swimming, staying active goes a long way in maintaining flexibility, agility and strength, which, in turn, will prevent pain and injury. Offering transportation options to an older person can make a big difference to their quality of life, since they don't have to rely on expensive taxis or driving, which can be uncomfortable, to get to the places they need to go. Therefore, when thinking about how to improve the quality of life of older people, it is important to balance consideration of the specific barriers that people face in old age with a fully humanized conception of what these barriers might be and how each individual prefers to address them. Regardless of age, one of the most important facets of achieving a good quality of life is having a sense of purpose.
However, the unfortunate reality is that for many, when they reach this age, their quality of life may not be what it was before...
