If you’re researching elder care options “near me,” you’re probably trying to ease a family member into retirement. We want to make sure that our senior loved ones are in the safest and most caring environment imaginable. That’s why it’s crucial that nursing homes employ caring people to work with the elderly. The caring professionals working at these centers do great work in maintaining the emotional and physical well-being of our nation’s aging population. This article will define a senior care worker, explore the need for excellent staffing in senior care facilities, outline the advantages of a holistic approach to caring for the elderly, and identify the top seven techniques for the elderly to keep their minds engaged.
What Is a Senior Care Worker?
Personnel in the senior care industry are trained to help seniors with tasks as varied as cleaning, cooking, and maintaining personal hygiene. A good caregiver for the elderly will be sympathetic, respectful of their guests’ dignity, and aware of any changes in their mood or physical condition. They should also be willing to give out medications and provide transportation so that the elderly can continue to feel like they have some control over their lives. A senior care worker’s first priority is making sure their customers’ golden years are not only comfortable but also full of companionship and fulfillment.
Why Senior Care Facility Staffing Matters
The majority of candidates have at least an associate’s degree in nursing, which is a minimum requirement for the field of senior care. The mental and emotional well-being of the elders in their care is just as important as their physical health, thus it is critical to choose people with the right skills and expertise for senior care facilities. An elderly person’s experience at a senior care facility may be greatly enhanced by this additional layer of compassion, which can assist to ensure that their retirement years are full of joy, health, and fulfillment.
Benefits of Holistic Senior Care
A reputable nursing home, like Jazba Care, will take a holistic approach to support its senior population, going above and beyond just meeting the seniors’ medical and physical requirements.
The term “holistic care” doesn’t seem to fit. In essence, holistic elder care takes into account not only the physiological but also the psychological, social, and spiritual requirements of its population. This implies that the elder care team will prioritize the visitors’ whole health, not only their physical health which is often seen as the center of care. Keeping seniors happy and engaged in activities with their peers might not only enhance their quality of life but may also add years to their lives by reducing the risk of depression, which has been associated with several chronic diseases.
The “above and beyond” holistic approach to elder care means that moving into a senior living facility can be the beginning of a new and enriching chapter in one’s life, complete with opportunities for spiritual development, social interaction, physical activity, and the pursuit of one’s personal interests. Why settle for less when it comes to the care of the elderly in your life?
Ways for Seniors to Stay Mentally Active
As we underlined above, maintaining a sound mental hygiene routine and outlook will not only enhance your retirement experience among your friends but also extend your life expectancy. In order to maintain good health as we get older, it’s important to keep our minds busy and our thoughts positive. Here are the seven best methods to do just that.
- Write in a journal daily: Whether this is more of a spiritual practice in counting blessings and things we are grateful for or more like a diary, there can be a great benefit to writing regularly at any stage of life, but especially as time wears on. Routine is healthy, and the more you can keep to a schedule, the more likely you are to see positive results in terms of a boosted mood, improved cognition, and clarity of inner voice and intuition.
- Read as much as you like: If you find you have hours in the day that you’re not sure what to do with, reading is one way that will absolutely keep your mind sharp. Try to mix up genres, authors, and writing styles for the opportunity to expand your horizons, push yourself, or find new, unexpected joys.
- Practice a musical instrument: The practice of playing an instrument not only requires coordination skills, but can be a great medium for combining mind, body, and spirit. Even if you don’t play a musical instrument, the simple act of listening to music can work wonders for your physical and mental health, from reducing anxiety and lessening the experience of chronic pain to improving sleep quality and lowering blood pressure.
- Practice sudoku or crossword puzzles: There’s no denying that sudoku and crosswords not only provide an adequate amount of challenge, but may even improve your problem-solving skills, cultural knowledge, and vocabulary as well. Plus, it’s rewarding to complete a puzzle correctly—and it may even boost your mood.
- Complete a visual puzzle: While it might seem simple on the surface to work on a puzzle in your spare time, you are in charge of choosing the complexity of your puzzle; and doing so protects your visuospatial cognition abilities and keeps your mind sharp. Best of all, this activity can be pursued at any time, in the company of others or on your own!
- Practice another language: Is there anyone in your retirement facility that speaks a language other than English? Working with your brain in two different languages is not only intellectually stimulating but may improve your vocabulary in both your native tongue and the language you’re learning. If finding a buddy to converse with isn’t your speed, there are multiple apps or computer programs available for picking up another language at your own pace.
- Take up a new hobby: Ever wanted to learn how to paint, but just never got around to it? Now is the perfect time to take that Mediterranean cooking class you’ve always dreamed of! Challenging yourself to learn new things is critical for mental health and cognition at all stages of life, but can help add meaning, fun, and value to your golden years as well.
Senior Care Near Me
Of course, it is possible for many kinds of people to apply themselves and achieve a degree in nursing—but it takes an extra special kind of someone in order to apply that nursing compassionately and intentionally with the elders in their care. That is why finding a facility for senior care “near me” with a holistic approach to assisted living is not only better for the mental and emotional health of its guests, but may even have physical benefits as well. Even better, find a senior care facility with social programs, group activities, and opportunities for exercise and set your loved one up for success in their retirement. Looking for compassionate staff that keeps an eye on the quality of life of the seniors in their charge? Contact Jazba Care today for more information, or click here to schedule a visit!