Self-Care Activities for Seniors

Jun 7, 2021 | Caregiving

Self-Care Activities for Seniors

As trendy as self-care has become on social media, it’s not just for teenagers and young adults. In fact, many adults and seniors can benefit from incorporating self-care activities into their everyday life. And no, it does not always mean you have to do face masks and drink wine, although that definitely does work for some people. Everyone enjoys different things and has unique interests, so there’s no one size fits all when it comes to self-care. There are various forms of self-care that you’ll have to experiment with before you find what works best for you and your lifestyle. I’ve compiled a list of ideas that will hopefully spark your interest to start your self-care journey.

Time in Nature

seniors walking Spending time outdoors is therapeutic for many people, myself included. Being outside in nature gives your body a sense of calm and helps clear your head. Vitamin D from the sun makes you happier, the fresh air helps reduce stress levels, and your body gets a chance to recharge. Whether you decide to go for a walk, hike, or get your hands dirty in a garden, your body and mind will feel the difference.

Socialize

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s been a rough year for everyone’s social life. With the vaccine becoming more readily available, we’re slowly starting to go out and socialize again, but everyone should still follow the health and safety protocols recommended by the CDC. That being said, if you don’t feel comfortable going out quite yet, there’s still ways to communicate with your friends and family. If you’re tired of talking on the phone, Facetime and Skype have become increasingly popular this past year to video chat with loved ones. There are also many clubs that now host virtual meetings, such as book clubs, so you can socialize from the safety of your home. Try and join a virtual club that peaks your interest to keep busy and make some friends in the process.

Gratitude Journal

Five Min Journa; Writing down your daily thoughts and acknowledging what you’re grateful for is something a lot of us don’t do nearly as much as we should. It’s so easy to focus on the negative aspects of our lives and things we want to fix, that we don’t recognize the good all around us. Take five minutes a day to write down what you’re grateful for and see how it changes your life and overall mindset. This is my personal favorite journal, however, any notebook will suffice.

Sources: Cook, A. (2021, March 05). A message for older adults: Self-care is not selfish. Retrieved from https://www.allhealthnetwork.org/colorado-spirit/a-message-for-older-adults-self-care-is-not-selfish/ Grossman, J. (2020, May 11). Self-Care activities for seniors. Retrieved from https://www.commonwisecare.com/self-care-activities-for-seniors/ Medical Guardian. (2019, October 23). Self-Care activities for seniors. Retrieved from https://www.medicalguardian.com/medical-alert-blog/health-wellness/self-care-activities-for-seniors Mental Floss. (2015, October 13). 11 scientific reasons why being in nature is relaxing. Retrieved from https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/60632/11-scientific-reasons-why-being-nature-relaxing

Intergenerational Programs

Jan 11, 2019 | Caregiving, family support, seniors, Volunteer

At Diana Gregory Outreach Services, we offer more than carrots and kale and bananas and broccoli. We offer intergenerational programs where youth serve seniors. During the holidays, in collaboration with the Archer Ragsdale Arizona Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. area youth engaged in packing bags of fruits and vegetables for seniors, serving a holiday lunch, and singing Christmas carols. (Thanks to our presenting sponsor, Wellcare, for contributing the bags of fresh produce and to our volunteers for participating at Maryvale Parkway Terrace.)

And did you know that children who are involved in intergenerational mentoring programs benefit as well?

46 percent are less likely to begin using illegal drugs
27 percent are less likely to begin using alcohol
52 percent are less likely to skip school

They develop “skills, values, and a sense of empowerment, leadership, and citizenship … social networks, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, positive attitudes towards aging, a sense of purpose and community service . . . [and] good self-esteem.”

Indeed, that’s a lot more than carrots and kale!

Over 2,500 seniors throughout Maricopa county received bags of fresh fruits and vegetables during the Gift of Nutrition program in November and December. We thank Platinum sponsors – Southwest Airlines, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, AARP, APS and Carstens Family Funds.

10 Ways to Promote Health After 50

Apr 27, 2018 | Caregiving, Exercise, Independent Living, Partners, seniors

10 Ways to Promote Health After 50

Growing older is a fact of life, but how we feel as we age can be controlled by our daily choices. You know the old saying “ you’re only as old as you feel.” Well, it’s true, and if you want to maintain your health and stamina then we have some tips for you!

GET AMPLE REST
Sleeping less than 6 hours a night can leave you feeling exhausted and lackluster. For optimal cognitive sharpness and adequate energy to last through the day, it’s important to get at least 8 hours of sleep a night. According to the National Sleep Foundation, in order to get optimal rest, make sure the room is dark and free of electronics. It also helps to stick to a sleep schedule and ditch your mattress if it’s over 10 years old.
SOCIALIZE
Human contact is a vital aspect of longevity and overall health. Spending time with friends and family can have tremendous benefits to your emotional and mental well-being. So visit friends or host a social event. It will brighten your mood and uplift your spirits. If you enjoy your space, maybe a furry friend is more up your alley.
TAKE A VACATION
Stress is a health destroyer and it often goes undetected as the true source of health issues. Stress can manifest itself in physical, mental and emotional ways. To avoid overstressing yourself, take time to whined down. It tends to be a widespread thought that vacations are a once in a blue moon affair. Vacations don’t have to be extravagant. They can be just a trip to the beach, a walk in the park, or a night in a nearby town. The point is that you get away from your normal routine for a moment to recharge your batteries and honor your need for rest.
AVOID SWEETENING WITH SUGAR
A high sugar diet can be detrimental to your health long term. Be wary of adding sugar when unnecessary and consider added sugar in foods that you buy at the grocery store. Read food labels and avoid things with high fructose corn syrup. The less sugar the better.
EAT YOUR FRUITS AND VEGGIES
Eating adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables each day provides vital nutrients and energy to your body so that you can feel great each day. Work toward eating two more servings of fruit and vegetables each day and notice the improved way you feel.
CONSIDER SUPPLEMENTS
It’s best to get your vitamins and minerals form your food, but if you’re unable to replenish your micronutrient needs through diet, then supplementation may be a good option. Consult a dietitian or physician to have testing done to see what you’re deficient in and proceed accordingly.
STAY HYDRATED
This one is probably the most overlooked and underestimated. Drinking adequate amounts of water has a long list of benefits associated with it. Hydration allows your body to function properly and supports its system maintenance. It keeps your skin glowing and nourishes your cells. It also helps to increase energy and stamina. So drink up!
GO GREEN
If coffee doesn’t do it for you, consider drinking green tea instead. It contains powerful antioxidants that fight free radicals and provide many health benefits. A few benefits supported by recent studies include, improved brain function, increases fat burning, improves physical performance, lowers your risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and improves dental health by killing bacteria.
STAY POSITIVE
Our bodies are directly affected by our minds. When we possess a negative outlook, it can take a huge toll on our body. By staying positive and uplifting our mentality, this gives us a feeling of expansion rather than contraction. Try taking a few deep breaths in times of stress and frustration. This will help you collect yourself and remind you to remain positive.
FIND YOUR PURPOSE
Do you wake up every day looking forward to something? Doing something worthwhile that matters, gives you a sense of purpose. It’s directly correlated with 7 extra years of life according to a study conducted in areas of the world where people live the longest. This is great news! Try finding something you can look forward to each day to boost your sense of purpose. It can be helping a neighbor or joining your local community center. Whatever you do, make sure it’s something you really enjoy.

Launch of New Program to Improve Grandparent’s Health

Oct 9, 2016 | Caregiving, family support, Independent Living

Gregory’s Fresh Market is excited to be selected along with Future Stars and Life Paradigms to receive a grant from the African American Women’s Giving and Empowerment Circle, a fund of the Arizona Community Foundation. The grant will enable Gregory’s Fresh Market to launch a new program called Grandparents Healthy Champions (GHC). The program empowers African American women by increasing their knowledge of chronic disease self-management and resources available to make healthy lifestyle choices.

Many grandparents are susceptible to becoming ill because they are so focused on caring for their grandchildren 24/7 that they neglect their own health. This can have a devastating effect on the children and the family. In grandparent-led households, 38% report that their health declined since taking care of their grandchildren. Gregory’s Fresh Market, a division of Diana Gregory Outreach Services has created an interactive 12-week program facilitated by a mobile farmers market, mobile health screening and preventative health education workshops for the grandparents at Grandfamilies Place of Phoenix. Each participant receives a weekly bag of produce and easy to prepare recipes.

The center for Disease and Control has issued several epidemics regarding health issues. The health consequences of obesity and lack of access to healthy choices include coronary heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, cancers, high cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides, liver and gallbladder disease, sleep apnea, and respiratory problems. Through the mobile health program, information will be provided to address health issues.