The physical changes that come with aging can put certain limitations on seniors. Perhaps your parents had to move to an assisted living community or give up driving. While these transitions benefit their health, they might not see it that way initially. Having to adapt during retirement can leave many older adults feeling without purpose. For instance, if your senior parents always hosted holiday dinners and now live in a retirement community, they might have difficulty changing their family roles.
Find Senior Living Near Me
“Having a sense of purpose is crucial for seniors.”
Having a sense of purpose is crucial. Patricia Boyle, a neuropsychologist at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center in Chicago, and her team conducted a study on two groups of older adults, age 80 on average. They evaluated the seniors’ sense of purpose and how it related to their health. The study found that the participants with a higher sense of purpose were 2.4 times less likely to develop Alzheimer’s than those with a lower one.
Having a sense of purpose later in life benefits beyond preventing dementia. It can also contribute to a more fulfilling retirement lifestyle as it combats the negative feelings of social isolation and prompts seniors to stay active and engage with their peers. Here’s how you can help your senior loved ones:
Provide Opportunities to Make a Valuable Contribution
You might know your senior loved ones have value, but sometimes, it can be difficult for them to see it in themselves. Help them feel a sense of purpose by demonstrating how useful and needed they are. Asking them for advice is a simple but powerful way to do so.
Whether you’re facing a dilemma at work or your kids aren’t doing as well in school, get your senior loved ones’ perspectives. They have a lot of wisdom, after all. Are you decorating your home? Invite your senior parents over to help. They might not be able to move furniture physically, but they can undoubtedly provide opinions about the design and style of the rooms.
Signing up for an exercise class can give seniors a sense of purpose.
Encourage Community Participation
When you wake up and have to go to work, you know your goal for the day is to get your job done. Retirees no longer have to meet those daily demands; a full schedule can help them feel a sense of purpose. See what activities are available for seniors in their assisted living community. Is there a daily exercise class they can sign up for? Does their community offer a monthly book club? Help your senior parent have something they look forward to.
Many seniors need to see they are part of something beyond themselves during retirement. Help them achieve a sense of purpose by encouraging them to volunteer. It can be as simple as socializing with the cats at an animal shelter. Their whole outlook can improve as long as they feel they’ve made a positive difference. With some encouragement and involvement, you can help your senior loved ones regain their sense of purpose.
