Spring is a joyful time for many. Flowers bloom, the sun shines, and this time of the year is when a lot of people start looking forward to their plans for summer vacations. 

However, for many older adults, spring can also bring in a wave of sickness. For some, this might be due to environmental allergies as pollen and dust swirls around the city. For others, coming out of winter hibernation can also mean exposure to illnesses that might have been avoided during the colder months when they were spending more of their time indoors or with smaller groups of people. While of course it’s important to get outside and to socialize, it’s also important to stay as healthy as possible, especially as you get older and your immune system becomes a bit more vulnerable. So, read on to find out the 7 spring wellness tips that can help keep older adults happy and healthy all season long. 

1.Allergy Prevention and Preparation

To begin, let’s talk about one of the major downers of spring: allergies. Seasonal allergies are often at their worst during the spring, when pollen is most prevalent. At their worst, allergies can feel like a nasty cold, and you might experience itchy eyes, a sore throat, and constant sneezing. While everyone else might be eager to get outside, you might want to hide under the covers until June begins. However, while allergies are certainly frustrating, there are some steps you can take to make them a little bit more bearable. Let’s split them up into three categories. 

Inside

One of the best things you can do for allergies is to keep your house clean. Many seasonal allergy sufferers might also deal with dust allergies, and, even if you don’t, minimizing dust will also likely be taking care of allergens you might have tracked into your own home. So, dust and vacuum regularly, and be sure to frequently wash your bedding. This includes your pillow cases and your pillows, which are a magnet for dust mites. When dusting you might want to consider wearing a mask to prevent yourself from inhaling dust that you brush up off of surfaces.

If you have spent a lot of time outside, especially in a park or garden, or if it’s been windy, be sure to change and wash your clothes once you get inside. This will minimize the chance of transferring allergens to your home surfaces. Also remember to remove your outdoor shoes when you come inside. You can always switch to slippers or a designated pair of indoor shoes if you don’t like wearing bare feet. 

Something else to consider is purchasing a HEPA air purifier to keep inside your home. Buyer’s Guide offers a list of reputable air purifiers that can help clear the air of allergens and are suitable for a variety of room sizes. Air purifiers are particularly useful to keep in your bedroom to use while you’re sleeping. 

Outside

If you deal with seasonal allergies then one of the worst times to go outside is when it’s windy, as pollen and dust will be swirling around the air and you will be exposed to a lot more than if it were a calm day. So, if possible, try to avoid going outside during windy days. If you can’t, wearing a mask can help prevent some of the allergens from irritating your nose. 

If possible, try to leave any gardening and lawn mowing to someone else. Of course this might not always be possible, but if you can pay to have these tasks done, or you and your spouse can swap chores, then this can also help alleviate the stress of allergies.

While it’s always nice to have sheets and clothes that smell like fresh air, hanging clothes to dry outside might not be the wisest choices in the spring. Instead, try hanging them inside or drying them on an economical cycle to avoid having allergens come in on your clothes and sheets. 

Other Options

To find other strategies to target allergies you should speak to your doctor. They might suggest taking over the counter allergy medication, doing a daily sinus rinse, or you might even be a good candidate for desensitization therapy. While many allergy treatments are available over the counter it’s always a good idea to consult with a medical professional to find out what the best fit is for you. Check out Mayo Clinic for more tips.

2.Don’t Overschedule

While you might be understandably excited about the nicer weather and be eager to get out there and socialize again, you don’t want to overextend yourself. 

If you have been laying low inside for most of the winter, then your mind and body is going to take a little bit of time to adjust to a busier schedule. Even if everything you schedule is enjoyable, being busy can add stress to your body, and it could have an impact on your sleep and mental health. 

So, instead of filling up your social calendar all at once, start small. Make a few commitments each week, and try to make sure you’re still allowing lots of time to rest and keep up with other healthy habits. And, most important, be sure to fill your schedule with activities you enjoy. Life is too short to spend time with people you don’t like or doing things you don’t enjoy. This is your retirement – it’s for you to enjoy! 

3.Check Physical and Mental Health

Even if you don’t have allergies, the spring is a great time to pay a visit to your doctor for a check up. Even if you feel good it’s always good to go for a check up to make sure everything is operating as it should. 

And don’t forget that your mental health is just as important as your physical health. There are countless options for support on your mental health, whether that’s dealing with anxiety, grief, or simply wanting to find better ways to investigate your feelings and express yourself. Sometimes just having someone to talk to each week can make a huge positive impact on your mood. 

Total Life has a large collection of therapists and counselors who specifically work with older adults and the unique situations they face. Sessions are conducted over the phone or through video chat, so you can do them right from the comfort of your own home. 

If you do notice something you want to address with a therapist or a doctor it’s always a good idea to jot it down. Sometimes we might experience something that bothers us, but we might forget about it on a different day when we actually have our appointment. It’s helpful to have a note to remind you in case it’s something you still want to bring up. And, if not? It’s all good – at least you won’t leave the appointment worrying that you forgot something.

4.Stay On Top of Hygiene 

Sometimes health and happiness is as simple as a little sanitation! You might be surprised at how quickly health can change because of a dirty house, or lack of personal hygiene. At home, dust, mold and bacteria can build up, exposing you to allergens or illness. If you’re not keeping yourself clean then it might be your own hands, clothes or hair that is making you sick due to contact with allergens or contaminated surfaces. This might sound complicated or scary, but it’s not! Let’s break it down into a simple to follow list. 

• Wash hands frequently, especially after using the bathroom, before or after eating or cooking, after shaking hands, blowing your nose, coughing, and whenever you get back home from somewhere.
• Clean and dust surfaces frequently. 
• Frequently wash clothes and sheets and dry them inside
• Wash the bathroom regularly, and be sure to close your toilet lid when flushing.

Some older adults might struggle with maintaining some of the above habits. If so, a cleaner or part time personal support worker might be a good way to help you stay on track with your hygiene goals.

5.Get Outside, Stay Sun Safe

If allergies don’t bother you (or if it’s not too windy), then getting outside is a great way to boost your mood and improve your health. There’s a lot of science that backs up how important nature is for our physical and mental health. Walking outside can help with focus, mental clarity and helps us get in our exercise! UC Davis also tells us how getting outside can help lower anxiety and help us sleep better! Sun exposure provides us with vitamin D, which is important in helping us regulate our sleep schedules. Exposure to daylight early in the day can also help our bodies get onto a healthy sleep/wake cycle, so that you might be more likely to fall asleep at night instead of tossing and turning. 

However, while getting outside is certainly important, you do want to make sure you’re protecting yourself appropriately from the sun. Direct exposure to the sun can cause damage to your skin, eyes and immune system, and in some cases even lead to serious conditions like skin cancer. 

To give yourself the best chance of protecting against damage make sure to apply an SPF of at least 30 to all exposed skin, as suggested by Johns Hopkins, and to reapply every 2 hours or after swimming or extreme sweating. It’s also a good idea to wear hats, sunglasses and sun protective clothing. The sun is at its most powerful between 10-4, so be sure to seek out a lot of shade during this time and stay hydrated! That way you can get the benefits of the outdoors without putting yourself at too much risk. 

6.Diet, Exercise, Sleep

While all of the above tips are important, don’t forget that the basis of your health is dependent on you maintaining overall healthy habits. That means eating a nutritious diet, getting enough sleep and getting regular exercise. Let’s review what that looks like. 

Diet

You should aim to eat a diet that includes lots of vegetables, limited red meat and lots of whole grains, healthy fats like avocado and olive oil, and legumes. Try adding a vegetable to every meal, and opt for fruit and greek yogurt for dessert. Cut down on sugary drinks and instead focus on drinking lots of water and herbal tea. Try not to eat too close to bedtime, and save fried or super fatty foods to an occasional splurge. 

Exercise

The American Medical Association tells us that we should get a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate activity each week, although ideally individuals would do a mix of moderate and vigorous activity. However, adding in any activity, especially if you’re not already particularly active, is beneficial to one’s health. Consider adding in a daily walk around the neighborhood, going for a swim at your local recreation center, or checking out a spin class. And don’t feel like you need to complete all your activity at once. You can take a 30 minute walk, or 3 10 minute walks – it’ll all shake out the same.

Sleep

You should aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Try to keep your room cool, dark and quiet, and avoid screens for an hour before bed. Wash your sheets frequently and try using an eye mask, ear plugs or a sound machine to see if any of them can help give you more shut eye. 

Eating too close to bed isn’t a good idea, but if you’re hungry try just having a light snack like toast or a glass of warm milk with honey.

7.Spring Clean

A great final tip to help you feel your best this spring season, is to participate in some spring cleaning! Cleaning out your house and tackling those annoying tasks like washing rugs or bed covers can help you feel relaxed and refreshed. Plus, there’s actually research behind how a clutter free space can help lower stress and make you feel more relaxed. 

Make a list of what you’d like to get done at your house to help you feel your best, but don’t go overboard. You want this to be an activity that makes you feel good, not exhausts you! Stay small and specific, and don’t be afraid to rope in help if you need it! Ask friends and family members, or maybe even bring in a professional cleaner. It’s easy to feel happy when your house is clean!

Of course, there’s no magic cure all to make sure someone stays healthy, but it’s always good to take whatever steps you can to keep your health and happiness in check. If you do happen to fall ill during the spring, focus on rest, hydration and be sure to check in with your medical provider. With any luck you will be back to your regular self in no time and can use the above tips to enjoy this wonderful and exciting season.

There are countless benefits to owning a pet as a senior. Take a look at some of our other articles, or the linked one above from AgingCare, and you’ll see that pets can lower stress, improve immune systems, foster relationships and help you build routine. However, while many people dream of owning a dog, cat, or other adorable companion, there are some downsides to caring for an animal. While there are certainly pros and cons to everything in life, it’s important to figure out if the bad outweighs the good when making an important decision like whether or not to welcome an animal into your home. 

Cost

Of course, one of the biggest considerations to make when thinking about pet ownership is the commitment you are making financially. Pets are expensive. While you might think you’re just going to be paying for some food and a few toys, even that can be pricey, and at the end of the day, there’s a lot more to owning a pet than simply buying it some food. Let’s use the costs associated with a dog, as an example:

• Food

The cost of food can vary widely, as outlined on The Dog Stop. And, while $600 a year might not seem too prohibitive, that’s provided that your dog is able to tolerate, and is interested in, the lowest quality food available. Plus, the size of your dog is also going to determine how much they eat. The reality is that many dog owners end up shelling out for much more expensive varieties in order to keep their dogs healthy and happy. Some dogs even have certain health conditions that require them to eat highly specialized diets, even more costly than the ones outlined in the link above. There’s no guarantee your dog will be able to eat the most cost-effective food, so it’s not something you can rely on. 

• Training

Whether you’re getting a puppy or an adult dog, it’s very likely that they will need to visit a trainer. While this is an important part of owning a dog and will make your life much easier, it can definitely cost you. Depending on the needs of your dog, expect to spend several hundred dollars.

• Toys

Dogs are smart, and, just like humans, they need activities to keep them entertained. While you don’t need to buy your dog everything under the sun, buying toys is not just a one and done situation. It’s natural for dogs to chew their toys apart, which means constant replacement. You can opt for more expensive toys that last longer, or cheaper ones that last for less time, but either way you’ll probably spend the same. 

• Supplies

Dogs need items like food and drink bowls and beds. Depending on where you live they might also require boots for outside, raincoats or cooling vests. You’ll also want to have at least one high quality leash and collar. While these items might last you a bit longer, they are still a lump sum payment that can be difficult for some people to manage. 

• Registration

Most states require you to register your dog and pay a fee for a tag. While this isn’t usually a large cost, it’s still a cost to consider each year. If you don’t register your pet you could face a steep fine. 

• Dog Sitting

Dogs require frequent walks and lots of attention, so if you are going away on a trip, or even if you’re gone for long stretches during the day, you’re going to need to employ the services of a dogsitter, dog walker, or kennel. While the occasional walk might be affordable, long term or specialized care can quickly add up. 

• Vet Fees and Insurance

Nobody wants to think about their animal getting sick, but an unexpected illness or injury is one of the easiest ways for pet owners to go into debt or end up with the unthinkable decision of having to surrender or euthanize their pet. Costs for surgery, medication, exams and other associated costs can easily go into the thousands. And, while pet insurance is always a very good idea, many owners forgo it because of the highly monthly fees that are often a couple of hundred for comprehensive coverage. However, don’t forget that preexisting conditions aren’t covered, and there may be some other exceptions to coverage based on your dog’s age breed. Plus, even if you have good coverage, there’s also a deductible to pay, plus the cost of lost time during your day and getting your pet to and from the vet. 

Of course, not every pet will incur the same costs as a dog, but you might be surprised at just how expensive even the smallest animal can be. And, if you’re thinking about adopting an animal then you should ideally aim to give it the best life possible. It might be tempting to just place a fish in a bowl, but even a goldfish deserves to have a proper water tank with plants, frequently changed and treated water, and places to hide like a pirate ship ornament. If you’re already planning on how inexpensively you can keep a pet, then having one is probably not the right choice for you.

Energy

Not only is a pet expensive, but they require a whole lot of energy! Dogs need frequent walks, cats need to be entertained with play, and even if your pet isn’t something that requires walks, you’ll still have to make sure you’re cleaning their living area regularly, which can be a workout in itself! 

We know how important exercise is, and the truth is that the exercise demanded by an animal can often be very beneficial for a senior’s health. However, it’s important to consider what the needs of the prospective pet are, and whether or not you’ll be able to meet them. Daily walks might not be something you are physically capable of, and, even if you are, are you interested in three walks a day, because that might be what your pet needs! You should also think about your physical abilities when it comes to the size of your pet. Are you able to lift them if they become injured or confrontational with another animal? Again, this is not to scare you off, but just make you think about some of the realities of pet ownership. If you have hesitation, then fostering an animal might be a great option. It gives you a chance to get to know an animal before committing to it, so you can be sure that you have found a pet that you can adequately care for. You might be surprised at how energetic some animals can be. Even aside from exercise you might find their energy overstimulating and disruptive to your lifestyle. 

Difficult to Find Housing

While lots of people like animals, they don’t always like animals in their space. Unfortunately this means that finding housing that accepts pets can be very difficult for renters, making the housing market that much smaller. If you think it’s likely you might move in the near future, this is something you’ll want to consider when thinking about getting a pet. You don’t want to be forced into a housing situation that’s too expensive simply because you have a pet, and it’s unfair to the animal if you have to give them up because they’re not welcome in your new home. While of course unexpected situations come up, such as illness, that’s unfortunately something that should be considered as you age. Do you have a plan in place if you’re suddenly in a position where you can no longer keep your pet? Seniors go through so many life transitions, and being forced to give up a pet can cause a lot of stress and anxiety. Sometimes the better option is making the choice to avoid pet ownership altogether. 

Saying Goodbye

Many people outlive their pets, as most animals have a shorter lifespan than humans. While the joy of having a pet often outweighs the grief that might accompany their passing, it’s still something to think about. If you are already dealing with fragile mental health and have been through a lot of grief, is a pet something you are emotionally able to take on? 

On the flip side, you want to consider your lifespan and health in relation to the pet. Most pets get extremely attached to their owners, and can experience grief themselves if parted from them. Is there a plan for where your pet will go if you should happen to pass before them? It might sound morbid, but this is all part of getting your affairs in order as you age. Thinking about these difficult scenarios can help you feel at peace knowing that there’s a plan in place for the animal you care for. 

Restricts Your Freedom

While having a pet can be incredibly rewarding, it also requires a lot of adjustments to your lifestyle. You can’t leave pets alone all day, as it can lead to distress for the animal, and sometimes even result in destruction to your living space. This means you have to plan your outings around your pet and when they need company or walks or time outside to pee. It also means you can’t as easily plan a weekend away or go on an extended vacation. You need to make sure you have a suitable pet sitter, which might be expensive or even unavailable. Animals can greatly enhance your quality of life, but if you’re someone who likes being able to do whatever they want whenever they want then a pet might not fit in very well with that lifestyle. 

Animals Can Spread Disease

Even if you’re the most diligent petowner, there’s still a chance that your pet could pick up a virus, parasite, or even bring home a tick! As the CDC says, sometimes animals can even appear perfectly healthy while carrying a disease that is spreadable. Obviously nobody wants to get sick from their pet, but seniors are even more susceptible due to their vulnerable immune systems. 

Allergies

Speaking of immune systems, did you know that you can develop an allergy to your pet even if you haven’t experienced pet allergies before? Again, this might be more likely to happen to someone who is older and has a weakened immune system. If you have not experienced allergies before and are set on getting a pet then the possibility of this happening shouldn’t stop you, but it’s still something to consider when weighing all the pros and cons. No one wants to be sniffling and feeling exhausted day in and day out because of the dander from their pet!

More Cleaning

Have you ever walked into someone’s house and instantly known that they have a cat? This is likely due to someone not doing frequent enough cleanings of their cat’s litter box…ew. But sadly, a lot of people don’t clean up after their pet as often as they should. Pets require clean cages, bedding, litter boxes, scooped doo doo out on a walk….you name it. If you’re already someone who doesn’t enjoy cleaning up after themselves then will you really enjoy cleaning up after a pet? Unclean animal environments can result in unpleasant smells and even serious health hazards, so it’s something you should definitely think about before getting a pet!

It’s Risky

Did you know that over 80,000 people fall over their pets in the United States every year? Yes, you read that number right. Pets can easily get in the way of their owners and create a tripping hazard that could lead to serious injury or even death. And, because the CDC shows us that falls are the leading cause of injury for seniors each year, you can imagine that having a pet might dramatically increase the chances of having a fall. While of course it’s never intentional, it’s a scary reality, especially for seniors who might have limited mobility or vision. 

Could Impact Sleep

One of the often touted benefits of having an animal is that an animal can help you build routine. But what if your animal’s routine is walking up at 4:30 in the morning, or deciding to zoom around your room at midnight? An animal moving around your home or making noise can seriously disrupt sleep, which as we all know can have detrimental effects on your health.

Tense Relationship With Neighbors

If you have a pet that makes a lot of noise or is aggressive, then it might cause tension in your relationship with your neighbors. They might get angry at a barking dog, a squawking bird or a cat that is constantly scratching the floors. Even if you work to train your animal, you don’t know quite how long that will take, and the stress could build up significantly in the meantime. 

There are so many rewarding aspects to having a pet, but it’s always important to be prepared. If you are aware of all of these downsides to having a pet but feel confident that the decision is right for you then you will likely be an amazing pet owner. But if any of these points cause you to pause, then maybe you should aim to spend more time volunteering with animals or offer to walk your friend’s dog. That way you get all the benefits of pet interaction without all the commitment, and that sounds pretty good, right?