Wellness and Healthy Living for Older Adults
 "Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty." - Henry Ford
Making sensible choices about lifesytle and habits can help promote good mental and physical health throughout our lives. There are many ways to keep our minds and bodies strong and resilient.
An Active Lifestyle
It is important for older adults with mental health problems and their caregivers to practice healthy lifestyles that help reduce stress and that maintain physical and mental health. This includes being...
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mentally alert
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intellectually curious
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physically active
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socially active
By staying active, older adults can...
- maintain good mental health
- prevent mental disease
- manage symptoms of mental illness
- remain independent
Look for low-cost activities that can be done alone or with friends to help deal
with emotional distress or mental illness.
Exercise
Exercise helps to relieve:
Exercise improves:
Be sure to consult a physician before starting an exercise program.
Activities can be done alone or with others as part of an exercise regimen adaptable to your lifestyle and physical abilities including walking, jogging, stretching, yoga, biking, swimming, Tai Chi.
Community Centers
Community centers offer classes designed for older adults such as cooking, dancing, swimming and aerobics. To find out more visit: City of Seattle Parks and Recreation Department or King County Parks.
Recreational and Social Opportunities
Taking advantage of recreational and social opportunities can get our minds off our problems. Getting involved will help to decrease isolation, increase social connections, increase connection with our community and improve our overall sense of well-being and enjoyment.
Participating cities through King County offer "Fun, Leisure, Access, Savings, Health" or FLASH cards that allow people with disabilities to participate in activities at a discounted rate. Find out more.
VSA Arts of Washington offers inclusive, community-based art classes, shared studio space, solo and group exhibits, and other avenues for professional development for people with disabilities.
Some restaurants offer "early-bird specials," senior citizen discounts, or special menus for senior citizens with lower prices.
Information on free or inexpensive activities can be found in the following places local library, state and local newspapers, public access television, internet, local parks and recreation department, local senior centers, bulletin boards in local businesses.
Diet and Nutrition
Eat a balanced, healthy diet. Use alcohol and tobacco in moderation, or eliminate altogether. If in doubt about your use of alcohol, tobacco or other substances, ask your doctor.
Drink an adequate amount of water every day (3 - 4 8-oz. glasses) to maintain good physical and mental health. Pay close attention to your specific nutritional needs.
Monitor potassium levels in order to have...
- healthy eyesight
- clear thinking ability
- regular heartbeat
Talk to your doctor or other medical specialists when you are in doubt. Be aware that vitamin and mineral deficiencies can cause psychiatric symptoms. As we get older, our digestive tracts become less efficient in absorbing nutrition from our diets. Physical or emotional symptoms may be related to nutritional need.
Health Care
Have a physical examination at least once a year. Consult with your physician if at any time symptoms emerge or change. Have a thorough physical examination before starting psychiatric medication.
- Check with your doctor about possible drug interactions related to the medications you are taking
- Check with your doctor before using any over-the-counter medications.
- Make a list of all of your health concerns, even those you think are insignificant, and take the list with you when you go to the doctor; if you see multiple doctors, take the list to each one.
- Check with your doctor if you don't sleep well (7-9 hours/night is a good average).
- Schedule tests for hearing and vision as needed. All of our senses can become less acute as we age.
- Check with your doctor if you notice any change in the senses. Changes in your senses (that is, tingling in feet or hands, unusual odors with no basis) could be an indication to your doctor of a medical problem.
Sexual Health
Sexual relationships between consenting adults can continue to add enjoyment to the lives of older adults. Like other relationships, when sexual contact is mutual and welcome, both partners can have a satisfying experience at any age.
Positive intimate relationships can help decrease loneliness and improve spirits. Practice safe sex to avoid sexually transmitted diseases.
Psychiatry and Psychotherapy for Older Adults
Consult your physician or local mental health center for counseling as needed for any of the following conditions:
- Serious depression
- Psychosis
- Anger that seems out of proportion to events
- Managing anxiety
- Grief counseling
- Addressing other symptoms that develop later in life.
Experienced counselors are available in most communities. For appropriate referrals, ask your doctor or a King County mental health provider.
For some problems, psychiatric medication may be prescribed. If you receive a prescription for psychiatric medication...
- take medication only as directed
- never take anyone else's medication
- only adjust dosages if your physician tells you to do so
- talk to your physician or pharmacist about drug interactions between all drugs you take, prescribed or not
- talk with your doctor about the benefits and side effects of any medication that is prescribed.
Spiritual Resources
Involvement in a local religious group can be a valuable source of spiritual growth and support. Often there are special programs and caring networks for aging adults. Pastors, priests, rabbis, and imams may be trained to do spiritual counseling and to make referrals to other helpful community resources as needed.
Relaxation Techniques
Relaxation techniques can be easily learned. They can help to reduce stress and minimize symptoms of mental illness such as anxiety and depression.
Here are some relaxation techniques:
- Deep breathing
- Meditation
- Visualization
- Aromatherapy
- Relaxation tapes
- Taking a hot bath or shower
- Drinking a hot cup of herbal tea
- Listening to soothing music
- Massage
- Biofeedback
- Hobbies (such as gardening, reading, woodworking, and needlework)
Humor
The ability to find humor in life can relieve stress and strengthen self-esteem and provide a sense of well-being. It has been demonstrated that people who learn to have a humorous outlook actually improve their physical health and immunity to a variety of diseases.
Maintain a sense of humor about yourself, and laugh with others, not at them. Be playful and don't be afraid to have fun.
Surround yourself with people and activities that increase light-hearted enjoyment, such as comics, shared jokes, and other opportunities for amusement. Taking a humorous approach to real situations can make life a bit easier.
Work & Education
Many adults postpone retirement, or continue working at some level after they have retired. Employment may provide necessary or discretionary income, but a job can also provide the following benefits:
- Satisfaction.
- A sense of productivity.
- Connection with others with a common interest or task.
- Structure and ability to maintain skills in a particular area.
Working after retirement may allow for choice in where and how much one works, and may allow an opportunity to explore a job or volunteer position that re-energizes or develops new skill sets and interests. Earned income can affect your benefits, so you may wish to check with the Social Security Administration about the guidelines for income if you are receiving federal benefits.
Our desire to learn does not go away. Many adults continue taking classes for personal or professional benefit well into adulthood. Other opportunities for learning include local colleges, universities, and local adult education programs.
Taking classes or furthering our education can provide the following benefits:
- Strengthen existing skills.
- Generate new skills.
- Stimulate the brain's learning process.
- Stimulate the brain's memory process.
Independent Living
Being able to remain in the home of our choice provides a sense of comfort and security if we have the proper supports. When mental health and/or substance abuse issues add further challenges, specialized services can make a difference. Get more information.
Wellness and Recovery
We can control the way we care for ourselves and we can influence our health positively through good habits, a strong support network, and self-care activities. Our good habits can promote wellness and recovery for any illness that may affect our lives.
Many communities have wellness programs through local hospitals and health clinics. Many good resources promote recovery when dealing with mental health issues.
For more information see Mary Ellen Copeland's Recovery site and the Positive Aging Resource Center.
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