10 Ways to Bring Back Fun and Joy to Senior’s Lives

Not all people who are retired are happy about their well-deserved rest. Some suffer from chronic diseases, some get depressed, while others don’t know what to do with their new “free” life. So how can we, people close to seniors, bring back joy to their reality?

According to psychologists, there are three components to happiness in retirement.

The first is family and friends. The more emotional and deep the relationships are, the more filled the seniors’ life is. Being together in harmony, partners prolong each other’s life.

The second is the clear meaning of life, a belief in something great, be it religion, spirituality, or some kind of philosophy.

The third is long-term goals, progress towards which requires effort.

So, we took all these categories into account and collected tips on how seniors can feel happiness and excitement. By far the most valuable thing you can give to your grandparents or the elderly you look after is time and attention. Therefore, to have a freer schedule, we advise you to delegate some tasks to experienced professionals. By outsourcing your work to a specialist from WritePaper.com, you save yourself from missed deadlines and low grades. Plus, the teacher will definitely be pleased with your work as writers strictly adhere to all your instructions and requirements. As a result, your paper will receive positive comments, and you will have time to do everything you plan to do.

So, without further ado, let’s get started!

Choose The Best Place To Live

Have you ever looked at the rankings of the best cities for retirement? Basically, they are related to two factors – the climate and living costs. However, the lifestyle of the elderly is just as important. Do they want to see their grandchildren often? Do they enjoy hiking or hunting? Do they prefer to be closer to theaters and art galleries?

The right house is no less essential as an area one will live in. Ask the senior some simple questions. Do they prefer long walks? Or would they like to live next to the doctor and basic services?

The next issue to deal with is choosing between an apartment and a house. Homes are more spacious, plus some people enjoy gardening. At the same time, the house needs to be looked after. For seniors, even changing a light bulb can be a daunting task, so better think through such details in advance.

The place we live in is our basis of comfort, so its role can’t be underestimated.

Make Sure They Take Care Of Their Health

All doctors talk about the great role of timely tests and being aware of the hidden risks. However, few seniors willingly accept help, as they are afraid of losing their independence. Sometimes, without being assisted, they move less and become weaker. Don’t let this happen. Offer them to join yoga or other balance-oriented practices – they really work wonders.

Let Them Be Busy

Fight the blues and boredom back with hobbies, volunteering, or even a part-time job (be it work with disabled children or teaching a specific course). Have you watched «The Intern» movie starring Robert De Niro? This is a wonderful story about how stepping out of your comfort zone can change your life greatly.

Thus, seniors may take a course in drawing or whatever they prefer. They can also join groups for cycling, hiking, tennis, or dancing. Offer them to become a volunteer: this is an amazing way to make new friends, which will help fight depression.

Inspire Them To Train Their Memory

Memory strengthening exercises are useful at any age, and for older people, it is a way to maintain clarity of thought. To prevent dementia, one may study foreign languages, at least simple words, and easy phrases. You can also suggest:

• Solving puzzles;
• Playing board games;
• Keeping a diary (which helps to release emotions and analyze one’s thoughts);
• Studying science, arts, cooking, etc.

All this supports healthy brain function, which is important for happiness.

Appreciate Every Moment

Gratitude, gratitude, and gratitude again! Plenty of books have been written about it, all spiritual leaders have talked about it, but we rarely experience it, taking everything around for granted. Yes, the beauty of the moment is lost in the rush of life. But is there anything better than the smile of a beloved person, a peaceful sky above your head, delicious morning coffee, a picturesque sunset? Finding happiness in everything is a habit and perhaps the main rule to feel in harmony with the world. Also, don’t forget to add variety to your life. For example, a morning coffee ritual can be replaced by meditation and reading newspapers - by listening to your favorite playlist.

Don’t Compare

Comparing yourself to others harms your self-esteem and moral state. The grass is always greener on the other side, but remember that the picture you see may not match what the person truly feels inside.

Sharing Is Caring

Charity, volunteering, and donations bring even more health benefits than physical exercise. When we share experience, knowledge, advice, and help others in any way we feel needed. How can you not be excited seeing that someone is happy because of you?

A happy person radiates special waves, like the sun warming everyone around. We are all intimately connected on an emotional level, so share your optimism, and others will feel it too. Perhaps this is everyone’s sacred mission and the meaning of life - to find miracles in an everyday rush and pass them on to others.

Let Them Out

Encourage the elders to spend time outdoors. Even if limited mobility means an older person can only walk as far as the front porch or sit next to a large window, why not? Breathing in the fresh air and enjoying the scenery is a way to relax well and immerse yourself in a meditative state.

Channel Emotions into Creativity

Drawing, painting, and sculpture are all methods to develop one’s potential. Creative projects can be different: scrapbooking, organizing family photo albums, creating a recipe book, etc. All this will help to fill the time with positivity and reduce anxiety.

Encourage Them to Read

Reading is an excellent activity to improve memory and sleep, reduce stress, and avoid cognitive decline.

Whatever your elderly relative chooses (reading paper books, flipping through the magazines, or listening to audiobooks), they will immerse themselves in the fascinating world and learn something new.

To Wrap It Up

In senior age, a person is especially sensitive. Therefore, psychologists advise their relatives to pay more attention to the elderly, talk with them and invite them for walks. You can always:

• Spend more time outdoors, especially when it’s sunny;
• Buy them a lamp for aromatherapy - the smells of citrus fruits are especially favorable;
• Surround them with bright colors, be it a nice scarf or a bright bouquet in the room;
• Join them in the swimming pool, dance classes, etc.

Be patient with seniors’ complaints and attentive to requests. They need to know that they are loved and remembered, and then the blues will bypass them.