Nursing home residents can often find it hard to stay on top of their physical and mental health needs. The new environment, a larger number of health concerns to consider, and changing times can all come down on you at once, making the task of staying healthy feel overbearing.
However, if you have a clear-cut idea of what you need to do to remain healthy, the task becomes much, much more accessible. To help you do just this, here are seven essential health tips for nursing home residents:
1. Take Advantage of Exercise Programs
Keeping active is essential to leading a long, healthy, and happy life. Regular physical activity gives you a perfect excuse to become closer to your nursing home community, while allowing your body to stay strong and filled with stamina.
Additionally, frequent exercise is one of the best immune system boosters that exists. Thankfully, nursing homes are equipped with staff that knows how to get you on an exercise program that will be fit for your level of health, and all of your workout needs.
2. Maintain a Healthy Diet
Your nursing home staff should be equipped to give you healthy, fulfilling meals day after day. However, you’ll want to make your own meals from time to time.
When you do, make sure you are still maintaining a healthy diet, as, in your advanced age, this is one of the most crucial health habits you need to form.
Not only will this boost your immune system, but it will greatly sharpen your cognitive abilities as well. Lean meat, beans, nuts, leafy greens, and fruits are all some of the best additions you can make to your daily diet.
3. Stimulate Your Mind Regularly
Keeping your mind active is just as essential as eating healthy and exercising. Whether you’re watching movies, reading books, playing games, or simply interacting with the community around you, these activities will keep your cognitive abilities sharp.
Additionally, it will help you feel more satisfied with your new life. Thankfully, quality nursing homes are certain to provide plenty of activities, both individual and communal, that will help you stimulate your mind regularly.
4. Never Neglect Your Medical Needs
Most of your medical needs will be taken care of by the staff, but you are also responsible for monitoring your medical needs. Doing so can allow you to communicate your needs to medical staff before any issues become serious.
Additionally, if you’re experiencing any problems with your medical care in the home, especially if you’ve suffered an injury due to poor care, it’s important to know your rights. If you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, be sure to contact a local nursing home abuse lawyer to gain the restitution you deserve.
5. Stay Hygienic
Proper hygiene is essential when living in a communal-style residency says this dentist in Oakbrook Terrace. However, more importantly, hygiene habits are essential for keeping your mental and physical health strong. Simple tasks like brushing your hair, bruising your teeth, and washing your hands will help you avoid diseases and ensure you feel your best.
Additionally, frequent showers and self-care sessions will ensure you feel more confident day-to-day. As you get involved with the community in your nursing home, maintaining a proper level of hygiene will be essential.
6. Stay Engaged With the Community
Nursing home patients can often feel isolated when they are first transitioning into their new home. However, there are plenty of communal events designed to help them meet new friends, and these programs should be taken full advantage of.
Without support and friends within their new community, nursing home residents are more likely to experience depression and other negative health side effects. If your loved one is struggling to connect with those in their communal spaces, see if you can help coach them through this road bump.
7. Keep Rested and Maintain a Consistent Sleep Schedule
Rest is always an essential part of mental and physical health. As you advance in age, having a consistent sleep schedule, and getting enough sleep to stay healthy, becomes that much more important.
If you get the right amount of sleep, you’ll have much more energy to enjoy communal activities, exercise, and more. Additionally, your memory and cognitive abilities are significantly boosted by maintaining healthy sleep habits.
Here’s to a Healthy Future
Your future is looking bright if you find a way to incorporate each of the seven above steps into your daily life.
Nursing homes are sometimes given a bad reputation for being difficult places to live, but residents will know that there are plenty of activities and opportunities that are still available to them.
By making the changes suggested in this article, you can live your advanced years to their full potential while maintaining a healthy mind, body, and spirit.