Healthy Lifestyle for the Elderly

Healthy Lifestyle for Older Adults- physical, mental and social wellbeing

Healthy ageing is linked to more than just improving physical health. The role of social and mental wellbeing in older adults is often under-valued in leading a high-quality life.

The process of healthy ageing involves extending life expectancy and improving quality of life of the elderly as well as optimizing opportunities for greater and healthier participation in the community and socialisation with family and friends. In many instances, lack of social support has proven to be a negative influence on the well-being of the elderly.

 Physical

• Healthy diet and nutrition: A balanced diet along with a sufficient intake of water is a reliable measure against negative health effects, including increasing body weight, development of insulin resistance, digestive problems or atherosclerosis. Research suggests that a diet high in fibre and low in saturated fat and added sugars — such as the Mediterranean diet — is a good choice for most.
• Physical activity: Physical exercise for older adults helps maintain strength, mobility and balance, resulting in the improvement of physical health and lowering the risk of falls. In cases where the elderly person has a mobility limitation, a casual walk in the park can be beneficial.
• Quality sleep: Researchers have found that sleep-deprived older adults are prone to cardiovascular diseases, increased levels of inflammatory blood markers, and weaker immune systems. Sleep deprivation can cause fatigue, affecting the physical and mental health of the individual.

Mental and Social health

•  Exercise your brain: The most effective brain activities for older adults is to engage in meaningful activities, such as getting involved in volunteering or hobbies like gardening, stitching and painting. Cultivating these skills improves their thinking ability, benefitting their psychological health.
• Stay connected with loved ones: Communicating with loved ones brings about a sense of belonging and reduces the chance of loneliness and depression. Building connections within community programs, elderly connect groups and other social activities can fight against social isolation. Involvements in social activities also lowers the risk of decline in cognitive abilities.

Supportive environment for overall wellbeing

Often, the factor of having a supporting environment for physical and psychological wellbeing is overlooked. Relationships among family members change with the different phases in life. Many times, we tend to neglect the importance of connection with family, friends and community due to lack of communication.

The availability of newer technologies has enabled the development of easy-to-use communication aids that overcome the limitations faced by older adults and their loved ones.

Konnekt Videophone

How does the Videophone help?

This Videophone is designed to suit older adults struggling with social isolation, mobility and and cognitive impairments. The Videophone’s big buttons and auto-answer feature help promote independence and safety of the elderly. Face-to-face video calling enables family and friends to stay connected.

• Physical health: Videophones allows family and carers to check-in visually during emergencies or when there’s no answer, using auto-answer for trusted callers. Some use video calling to lead short exercise sessions to encourage physical activity, improving fitness and quality of sleep.
• Mental and social health: Videophone helps promote independence, reduces social isolation, and can halve depression risk. Studies showed that increased social engagement via face-to-face video calling can also help increase cognitive function for those at risk of dementia.

Find out Konnekt’s video-calling works. To trial a Videophone, contact us and we’ll do the rest.