How Home Care Can Help Create Purpose for Seniors to Improve Health

Purpose can benefit seniors' health in several ways. In fact, studies have shown that those who feel a strong sense of purpose live longer and have better physical and mental health. This is particularly true for seniors, who are often at higher risk of poor health due to chronic conditions or decreased mobility.

According to a study by the University of Michigan Health System, older adults who have a sense of meaning and purpose live longer and are less likely to develop certain debilitating diseases than those who don't. Beyond that, they found that having a purpose in life is more important than having friends or family, exercise or hobbies in predicting longevity.

As a caregiver, there are plenty of ways to create purpose for seniors, and that sense of purpose can have significant health benefits for them. The key is staying active — not just physically but mentally and socially as well. Here are some ways to help older adults stay engaged and inspired:

Volunteer work. Most communities have many organizations seeking volunteers for everything from teaching English to helping at food banks or libraries. Not only does volunteering help seniors feel more fulfilled, but it also helps them build new friendships with other volunteers and the people they serve.

Hobbies. Not all older adults have the same interests as when they were younger. However, many older adults still enjoy gardening, woodworking, knitting or crocheting, among other hobbies that keep their minds active and can be used to create gifts for family members or even be sold in craft stores or online.

Encourage learning: It's never too late to learn something new! Seniors can use their new skills to help others and stay physically active —volunteering with children or pets or teaching a skill they've honed over the years.

Stimulate the mind: Regular mental stimulation is essential for all people, especially for seniors, as it keeps the brain sharp and slows the onset of dementia. Encourage your senior loved one to play games like chess or cards or use apps on a tablet to stimulate their minds.

Get moving: Physical activity is essential at any age, but especially when someone is getting older. While not every senior will be able to keep up with their old exercise routine, plenty of activities will still get them moving.

Let Them Decide What to Do During the Day: It's natural for seniors with cognitive impairments such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease to become agitated if caregivers do things for them or try to take control over every aspect of their lives.

Encourage Them to Do Things on Their Own: Even if you think your loved one needs assistance with specific tasks, you should still encourage them to take care of things on their own as much as possible. For instance, if they struggle with mobility, provide a cane or walker instead of holding their arm the whole time. If they have trouble cooking meals safely or getting their groceries home from the store, give them frozen meals that need to be reheated or help them learn how to shop online, so they don't have to go out in bad weather. Giving your senior loved one independence will give them a sense of purpose.

Benefits of Purpose for Seniors

Older adults with a sense of purpose live longer than their peers without one. They also tend to be more resilient in difficult times and have a better outlook on life.'