One of the most distinctive traits of a good healthcare community is its senior wellness program.
Wellness programs for seniors have increased in popularity over the past decade. Research shows that those who embrace wellness as part of their everyday lives can see significant benefits in longevity and quality of life.
Senior wellness programs aid in overall well-being and dealing with issues like depression, reduced mobility, lack of independence, safety concerns, and age-specific health.
Quality programs also offer opportunities to be more active and social and promote a healthy lifestyle for a better quality of life.
Why Are Wellness Programs Important?
A wellness program is a good way for a senior care community to support residents’ health, happiness, and engagement. There are many tangible benefits that seniors can expect from a wellness program, such as:
- Improved cognition
- Learning new skills
- Improved self-esteem
- More confidence
- Encourages independence
- Promotes emotional health
- A better quality of life
For seniors, wellness is critical. It means preventing chronic health conditions and lessening the effects of other conditions. The healthy habits of a quality wellness program for seniors can lower the risk of diabetes, cancer, obesity, arthritis, Alzheimer’s Disease, high blood pressure, and mood disorders like depression and anxiety.
A wellness program’s most significant benefit might be its holistic approach to health. Seniors are encouraged to work on many aspects of living better, including adopting a healthy diet, regular exercise, maintaining an active and social life, and coping with stress.
Regular exercise among seniors can lower blood pressure, better control of blood sugar, and reduce cholesterol levels (all factors that increase stroke and heart attack risks). In addition, exercise is known to enhance blood flow to the brain, nurture brain cells, and lower the risk of dementia.
The focus of any good wellness program is a complete sense of well-being. One of the benefits of participating in a senior wellness program is the variety of activities and resources offered. Most wellness programs try to include a wide range of activities, exercises, and topics in their programs. People with all varying interests will find something that catches their attention.
It allows you to participate in something you are familiar with or try something completely new. Here’s a closer look at what should be included in any good wellness program for seniors:
Mental Stimulation
Some degree of cognitive decline is common with age. Many of the classes and activities offered through these wellness programs force you to engage your brain, helping to improve cognitive function.
For example, educational courses, such as computer seminars, language lessons, or book clubs, put your mind to work and help you exercise different parts of your brain.
Physical Activity
Being physically active is essential for your overall health and vital to healthy aging.
Many of the exercises are designed around the needs of seniors, like improving balance, increasing core strength, and improving range of motion. Exercise isn’t the only place where wellness centers excel, though.
They also offer nutrition advice and regularly provide education on nutrition for seniors. Wellness programs often have nurses and dietitians develop a menu plan for seniors.
Getting Social
One of the most incredible benefits of a senior wellness program is that it creates an environment for seniors to make new friends and engage in conversation and interact with others.
This helps to reduce isolation and bring seniors together. Many wellness programs offer social activities, such as bingo, dance lessons, book clubs, and crafting. These types of social interactions help prevent depression.
Some wellness programs highly encourage seniors to volunteer their time and give back to the community.
Independence
No one wants to feel like they are dependent on someone else or being a burden.
Senior wellness centers allow you to become independent and proactive in your health and well-being. Regular exercise and fitness are encouraged to help seniors maintain and improve mobility, range of motion, balance, stability, and strength and endurance, leading to a more remarkable ability to function daily without help.
Lower Medical Costs
One of the main benefits of joining a senior wellness program is that it has the potential to lower your overall medical and healthcare expenses.
Studies have shown that individuals who participate in wellness programs have lower healthcare costs. As an example, they experience fewer visits to the emergency room, fewer hospital admissions, and fewer falls. This all equates to less money you must spend out-of-pocket.
Safety
A significant focus of senior wellness is home safety.
By joining a wellness program, participants get information on making their homes safer. From tips on reducing clutter to ideas about ensuring every space is more accessible, these programs can help keep seniors safe in their homes for longer.
Some even offer easy installation help for improved lighting and grab bars in the bathroom.
Prevention
Another objective of any senior wellness program is to keep seniors advised of preventive care and health maintenance.
This can include everything from yearly flu shots to taking medications directed by a physician. It can also involve handling adverse weather, like dressing warmly during the cold weather, keeping their home cool during the summer heat, and avoiding potential slips and falls.
Resources
A good wellness program for seniors should offer adequate resources for seniors about medical conditions that generally affect those over 50 years of age.
This can include osteoporosis, arthritis, diabetes, and nutritional needs. Such programs will also offer information regarding physical and occupational therapy, offer coordination of health education and care from a variety of community resources and address the growing needs of the senior community.
Weight Loss and Nutrition
Physical health and a reduced risk of chronic disease are related to maintaining a healthy weight and eating nutritious foods.
Many wellness programs focus on these components with the biggest loser competitions in the community to encourage participants to lose weight through group support and rewards. Programs typically meet weekly and host a weigh-in. At the end of the program, the person with the highest weight loss percentage wins!
Find a Senior Wellness Program Near You
The benefits of a senior wellness program are endless and can do so much for you. They improve your health, but they help you enjoy a better quality of life.
The best way to find a senior wellness center near you is by talking to friends and other people your age. You can also search online programs. Try contacting your health insurance company for assistance.
Life at Premier Senior Living is meant to enhance the lives of our seniors by providing a cozy, home-like atmosphere with all the advantages of living in an active community. From concerts, holiday celebrations, and parties to trips to local restaurants and Wii-bowling tournaments, our senior communities’ residents are constantly stimulated with activities of their choosing. We encourage participation in as many activities as possible in a relaxed environment.
Premier Senior Living Group has senior health care communities in Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. We know that the quality of life of each resident is dependent upon expert and professional management.
Contact Premier Senior Living to schedule a tour of a senior community near you or call toll-free (800) 380-8908.
