Growing Older and Feeling Great

Growing older doesn’t have to be hard, in fact growing older can come with the best years of your life! There are small changes you can make now that could really benefit your health in the future. These healthy lifestyle habits will also ensure you stay independent for much longer, whether you’re living at home or in a senior community. Adopting just a few of the tips our independent living team has compiled below will make you feel great as you grow older.

Get enough sleep! Never underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep. Getting a solid 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep is proven to have positive effects on your memory, focus and concentration. If you’re having trouble sleeping soundly at night, try to establish a consistent bedtime routine and make your environment optimal for sleeping by keeping it cool and dark.

Limit alcohol consumption. Drinking too much alcohol on a weekly (or worse, daily) basis, can negatively impact your sleeping habits and your health. More specifically, consuming too much alcohol can lead to the following issues: high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, cancer, learning disabilities and memory problems.

Go for regular checkups. Scheduling regular checkups with your doctor and other medical professionals can help you catch health issues early and treat them before it’s too late. Another important factor to consider is to start seeing a geriatric doctor who specializes in treating older people with more complex, chronic conditions.

Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Coupled with daily exercise, the single most important lifestyle habit to adopt is eating healthier as you age. Eating whole foods that are high in fiber and low in saturated fats will ensure your body receives the proper nutrition it needs, while also lowering your risk of developing chronic conditions.

Manage your medications. This may seem like common sense, but we’re here to remind you of how important it is to take medications exactly as prescribed by your geriatric doctor. Overdosing or skipping medications will only put your health in more jeopardy. It’s also worth it to schedule monthly medication reviews with your doctor, to keep track of what medications are still necessary for you to take. To help you better keep track of correct doses, you should also think about downloading a medication reminder app.

Healthy, independent living at JCHC

At JCHC’s senior living communities in New Jersey, our aim is to ensure that each of our residents maintains their health, quality of life and independence. Our social programs encourage residents to get involved with the communities at a level they are comfortable with, while our personal care services ensure each resident gets the support they need every single day.

For more information about independent living in Morris County, visit our website at: https://jchcorp.org/

Original blog is available on: https://jchcorp.org/growing-older-and-feeling-great/