Stress Management Tips for Elderly Adults While Stuck at Home
During the COVID-19 pandemic, billions of people are stuck at home. Not being able to get out of the house can be extremely stressful for many people. The thing is that it is even more important for elderly adults to stay at home. They are one of the highest risk groups for contracting the coronavirus. If you are taking care of an elderly adult, it is important to help them with stress management while they are stuck at home.
Regular Exercise
One of the things that can help your elderly loved one to manage their stress is regular exercise. Research shows that exercising helps to reduce stress. Even though fitness centers and gyms are closed, your elderly loved one can still exercise at their home. They can walk, play with a pet, do yoga, or join an online fitness program. There are also many fitness/exercise apps they can download on their phone or tablet.
Healthy Diet
If your elderly loved one sticks to eating healthy, this can help to lower their stress levels, as well. Stress can cause someone to eat unhealthily. For instance, your elderly loved one may crave chocolate when they are stressed. However, there are some foods that can actually help to lower their stress levels. Berries, vegetables, and nuts are some of the best examples of stress-reducing foods. If your elderly loved one doesn’t already have these foods at their home, you can see if their home care services provider can pick up these things from the store.
Taking Breaks from the News
Humans need to take breaks from the news. If your elderly loved one is constantly watching the news or reading news articles, this can cause them a great deal of stress. With all the news out there surrounding the coronavirus, sometimes it may seem as if the pandemic is never going to end. It will with time. However, in the meantime, your elderly loved one should take breaks from the news. Encourage them to go at least one full day without watching or reading the news.
Making Connections
Your elderly loved one should make connections whenever possible, as well. While they can’t have loved ones and friends over to their house, they can still make connections. If your elderly loved one doesn’t continue making connections that could negatively impact their mental health and overall health, too. Make sure you are calling them as often as you can. Have their home care services provider take care of them at least a few days a week.
These are some of the stress management tips for elderly adults while they are stuck at home. Encourage your elderly loved one to do these things to reduce their stress levels during this time.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering Home Care Services in the Lenexa KS area, please contact the caring staff at Elder Care of Kansas City, today. Proudly serving Jackson, Clay, Platte and Cass Counties in Missouri as well as Johnson and Wyandotte Counties in Kansas for over 30 years. Call us at 816-333-3322.
Prior to purchasing Elder Care, Kevin spent over 20 years in the health insurance industry.In his most recent position, he was in a financial operations role with Humana where he worked with doctors, nurses and other health professionals developing programs to keep Humana members healthy.Their focus on primary care and medication adherence improved the lives of thousands of seniors in Kansas City and the surrounding area.
Kevin and his wife, Lori, have three children.Kevin has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Missouri.
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