Now that the summer is behind us, many of us view September as an opportunity to start on a new foot. It’s a time to get organized and get stuff done; stuff that you pushed off during the lazy, hazy, great summer days. As the kids go back to school with their own checklists, it is a good time to make your checklist of goals. September is Healthy Aging Month. Let’s get on that agenda for healthy aging!
Checklist for Healthy Aging
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Set Healthcare Appointments
If you haven’t done so already, schedule those appointments with your primary care physician, dentist, eye care provider, and any other specialist you see on a regular basis. It’s the best way to make sure you are running at optimum speed and are taking care of any issues that may arise quickly and efficiently.
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Establish Healthy Menus
Healthy eating is a huge topic. It encompasses both physical and psychological factors. However, one thing is for sure, unless you take the time to plan your menus properly so that you have a clear idea of what you should and want to eat, you will be left to grab what may not be the best choices simply because you are hungry. Also, planning is a great way to make sure you always have the ingredients you need when you need them. Making menus is the solution to keeping everything both healthy and on track.
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Devise an Exercise Plan
Do you like to exercise? Hmmm…… many people do not. Having a customized plan and routine specifically geared to your physical goals and mental desire is the best way to ensure regular exercise is a solid component in your life. Work with a professional to map out the workout activities you like to do. Set the pace according to your personal physical condition. You should run the plan by your doctor for good measure. Putting exercise on your calendar at a regular time each day or week and you will barely notice what you once thought was drudgery. (See David York Agency’s Exercise Worksheets on their Resources/Free Downloads page.)
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Enroll in Classes
Keeping your mind sharp and alert is the best possible thing you can do to ensure healthy aging. The old adage “If you don’t use it, you lose it” is absolutely true. So many people start on a downward trajectory if they retire without a plan in place. They begin to seriously decline cognitively. That cannot happen to you! Make sure you enroll in classes this fall. So many places have continuing education programs. You can also audit classes at a local college at a senior discount. It’s the best of all worlds. You get to go back to school, satisfy your thirst for knowledge, socialize with all new people – young and old, and the grades don’t count!
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Try some volunteer work
If classes are not your thing, why not volunteer to keep your cognitive skills up? If you approach volunteering like a job, it could provide similar stimulation, camaraderie, and feelings of accomplishment and self-worth going to work did every day. Contact a local institution you are connected to see if you can help out. Committing to specific times each week and showing up does wonders for your mental and cognitive health.
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Set time for your hobbies
When you do something that you enjoy, it’s not work. Hobbies are a great way to laser focus your mind, meet people that are like-minded and with similar interests, and keep you busy! Today you can find people with whom to hobby in person or online. The blessing of technology affords zoom opportunities where you can paint, knit, or have book club discussions every week without fail – no matter the weather.
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Schedule in quality time with loved ones
With the busy schedules both you and your loved ones have it is easy to keep postponing seeing each other. Therefore, it is critical to seriously carve out time to see each other without fail. Do not let it slide or you will all be sorry. Do not be left wondering what it would have been like to spend more time with each other where you could have learned those small things about each other. How did grandpa propose to grandma? What did my granddaughter feel her first time away in camp? Mom and dad used to laugh about what!? Put your loved ones on your calendar, rain or shine. This can also easily be accomplished in person or via a zoom or a video call.
Here is a Checklist
Getting this right and set in place will go a long way toward setting you on the path for healthy aging. We have put together a handy checklist as a companion to this blog post. Please download and use it to make sure your goals are actualized. Keep this convenient checklist handy as a guide as many more Septembers roll around in the many years ahead!
David York Agency Homecare Can Help Seniors in Bayside
At David York Agency, we understand the many challenges and risks faced by the aging and elderly and are dedicated to providing care to support them through all of those ups and down. At David York Home Healthcare Agency, extraordinary service is what sets us apart from other companies in Bayside that provide in home healthcare services.
DYA we could provide direction as to how to manage the total care of your senior loved one. Whatever your care needs, we are there for you, always striving to exceed your expectations. For more information about David York Agency’s qualified, compassionate caregivers, contact us at (718) 376-7755. A free phone consultation can help you determine what services would meet your needs. We aim to provide you and your loved one with the assistance they need. If you’d like to hear more from us, please like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn.
For more helpful tips and information, check out our blog or contact us today.
