With warmer weather just around the corner, now is a perfect time to start laying the groundwork for this year’s gardening season. Even if you’ve never gardened before, this hobby is one that you’ll thank yourself for starting, as—although it may not seem like it at first glance—gardening has tons of benefits, especially for older adults. 

1. Great Way to Exercise

Exercise may not often be associated with gardening, but that’s not to say that this hobby can’t get you up and moving! You’re far more likely to get up and outside when you have a garden, as many garden plants require frequent, consistent attention. 

As an older adult, it is recommended that you get 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week. While this number can seem large, it’s generally pretty manageable if broken down into small amounts of time across the whole week. For example, if you enjoy walking and gardening, this might look like taking 15 minute walks on weekdays, and longer 30 minute walks on weekends. The goal here isn’t to be perfect, but rather to develop and maintain a routine that works for you; with consistent exercise, you’ll be able to decrease your risks of heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and even some forms of cancer. Exercise can also improve your sleep quality and blood pressure.

Luckily, gardening requires a wide range of movements—including raking, weeding, digging, moving pots, carrying watering cans, and spreading mulch—which can all count towards your exercise goals. These movements may not seem that labour-intensive, but they are great for increasing both your strength and endurance. If the majority of your time is spent sitting or kneeling, you’ll probably naturally stretch out after you’ve stood up—in this way, gardening can also promote better flexibility, as you’re more likely to stretch your muscles than you would be sitting on your couch.

2. Improves Dexterity and Coordination

Just as gardening is great exercise for your big muscles, it’s also great for your smaller muscles—namely, the ones involved in fine motor control. As you age, these fine motor skills begin to deteriorate. According to one study published to the National Library of Medicine, older age has been found to be “related to a worse performance on all measures of fine motor skill” especially in those over the age of 75. Since these motor skills are crucial for many everyday tasks—such as tying shoes, buttoning shirts, using cutlery, and writing—it’s important to maintain them as best as possible. 

To keep your fine motor skills intact, it’s recommended that you use them as often as possible. In gardening terms, this might look like picking up small seeds, transplanting delicate plants like seedlings and flowers, using scissors, and tying twine. You’ll also be using fine motor skills when you write labels, draw diagrams, or paint detailed pictures; because of this, taking some extra time to beautify your garden or draw a “garden map” is a fantastic idea. It’ll let you unleash some creative energy too!

3. Helps You Get Some Sun

When gardening outdoors, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to soak up some sunshine. This is great for two main reasons: for vitamin D production, and for the regulation of your circadian rhythm. 

As a vitamin that isn’t abundantly found in food, vitamin D can be a bit tricky to get enough of, especially in the colder months. While it may be tempting to just take supplements, they can have dangerous side effects if not dosed correctly. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), high doses of vitamin D supplements have been shown to increase risks of falls in older adults; even at low doses, it is recommended that unless you have a clinically diagnosed vitamin D deficiency, you avoid taking supplements. By increasing your vitamin levels through sunlight exposure, you’ll be able to naturally boost your bone and immune health without needing a prescription.

Getting more sunlight is also beneficial for your overall energy levels, as it helps to regulate your circadian cycle. Also known as your internal clock, this cycle is what dictates when you sleep and wake up—as it’s heavily influenced by your environment’s light level, it usually falls in line with the Earth’s day and night cycle. However, when you aren’t exposed to light at the right times, this natural rhythm can become dysregulated, leading to uncomfortable symptoms like fatigue and insomnia. By getting outdoors and exposing yourself to the sun’s rays during the day, you’re helping to keep your internal clock ticking at the right rate.

4. Proven to Boost Mental Health

In recent years, there have been many studies that investigate the link between greenspace and mental health. In 2018, an article published to the National Library of Medicine gathered evidence of the positive effects of gardening. These benefits included physical effects ranging from lowered blood pressure to decreased risks of post-surgical complications, as well as several psychological benefits. Several of the studies mentioned in the article found that exposure to greenspace—including walks in nature and gardening—was associated with decreased risks of depression, anxiety, and general stress. 

While some of these benefits may largely be due to the increased social interaction and exercise that comes with getting outdoors, it’s still a definite, scientifically proven positive. In fact, because gardening has so many associated mental health benefits, it’s actually being prescribed by doctors in the UK as a means to improve patients’ overall wellbeing.

5. Benefits Cognitive Health

With so many physical and mental benefits, it’s likely no surprise that gardening has also been linked to improved cognitive health. Cognitive health conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease become increasingly common as you age—and, since dementia currently has no known cure, it is crucial to do everything you can to prevent it for as long as possible. 

Though there is still no definitive evidence that gardening can single handedly prevent dementia, there are some very promising signs. This is largely thought to be due to gardening’s social and physical benefits, since frequent socialization and exercise have been linked to decreased dementia risks. However, there may be something about gardening, being out in nature, and enjoying the sun that helps to combat cognitive decline, too! The process of learning new things has also been proven to improve cognition, which further supports the benefits of gardening.

Even for those already struggling with dementia, gardening can be a fantastic and therapeutic hobby. In a 2021 review of research, it was found that gardening has many clear, positive effects on people with dementia. These benefits included decreased agitation, lowered risks of falling, and marked improvements in mood, depression, and stress. Dementia patients who gardened also required less medication, and had better cognition scores. 

6. Promotes a Healthier Diet

By growing your own food, you’ll naturally start to eat more fresh vegetables and fruits. As your garden produces crops, you’ll be able to take them straight from your garden onto your plate—not only is this incredibly satisfying and rewarding, it’s also great for your health.

In a 2023 study, a team of researchers investigated the effects of community gardening programs on the diets of gardeners. The study concluded that during the growing season, people who gardened ate 60 ~ 70% more vegetables than their baseline, and were more likely to eat seasonally—in other words, they ate more foods that were in season. Since diets high in seasonal fruits and vegetables are generally more nutritious, you’ll be getting more out of each meal, particularly if you grow your own food in nutrient-rich soil. And, as an added bonus, homegrown foods generally taste better, as you’ll be eating them fresh off the plant! 

Gardening can also bring some excitement to your kitchen; depending on your crops, you might try experimenting with some new recipes, or preserving them through pickling and canning. Just be sure to do your research, as improper canning can cause nasty problems like botulism. 

7. Grows Your Community

Growing a garden can also help you to grow your social community. This can happen both directly through gardening, or indirectly through the changes that gardening brings to your lifestyle.

For example, if your garden happens to have an unexpectedly abundant harvest, you may find yourself with more produce than you can use up on your own. While there are many things you can do—like preserving or composting extra fruits and veggies—this can provide a great opportunity to connect with your friends, family members, and neighbours. Sharing abundance is a low-cost, low effort way to show a bit of extra care to those around you. Even if you don’t know your neighbours that well, sharing your harvest is an excellent conversation starter; you might even end up making a fellow gardening friend!

Another great area for socialization is to join community gardens and gardening clubs. Depending on your area, a quick search on Google for local community gardens should turn up a handful of suggestions. If planting in a plot is a bit intimidating, you’ll also usually be able to simply join as a volunteer, which can help you to grow both your community and your confidence in gardening. Similarly, gardening societies and clubs can help you to gain new friends alongside a wealth of gardening information, tips, and anecdotes.

8. Supports Your Environment

If you’re looking to do your part to combat climate change, or hoping to revitalize your local environment, gardening is an amazing way to do it. By selecting plants that are native to your area and / or plants that are easy for bees and other pollinators to harvest from, you’ll be able to revitalize your little corner of the Earth.

According to the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, plants such as milkweed, aster, goldenrod, sunflowers, and black-eyed susans are all great options for your local pollinators. By doing a little research into which flowers are native to your area, you can also help to keep invasive exotic species at bay, protecting your area’s natural biodiversity.

And, as the climate continues to change, every little effort counts—no matter how small it may seem. Even though planting a few shrubs won’t be enough to rid the world of climate change, making the choice to swap from a paved front yard to a grassy one can make a big difference in your own life. Since garden beds can soak up a lot more water than concrete and pavement can, this single change might just be what protects your home in the case of a flood or heavy rainfall. This is just one example, though—in the end, it’s all about trying to do your part to leave a better world for your kids and grandkids to inherit. 

9. Gives You Purpose and Accomplishment

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may have found yourself experiencing a good deal more boredom in recent years. Even without social isolation measures, older adults are more likely to experience boredom than younger adults. While this may seem harmless enough, the fact of the matter is that when you feel bored for long periods of time, you’re likely to begin feeling lost, sad, or like you don’t have a purpose anymore. In one study done during the pandemic, it was found that older adults often felt worried and uncertain when faced with their newfound lack of activities; however, the study also concluded that their participants were highly resilient, and were able to adapt to their new circumstances through finding new hobbies.

If you’ve been feeling similarly anxious or lost, growing your own garden can help to alleviate these feelings. Whether that be through growing beautiful flowers to improve your neighbourhood’s biodiversity, or through harvesting and sharing food crops, there is something for everyone. In fact, the simple act of caring for your plants and watching them flourish under your care can provide you with immense satisfaction, a strong sense of purpose, and motivation to keep pushing forward.

10. Creates a Peaceful Relaxation Area

After you’ve put in the time and effort, your garden might just become your new sanctuary. While gardening can be tough sometimes, it can also be immensely rewarding—both through the plants themselves, but also through your garden space itself. 

When starting a garden, you’ve got a blank canvas in front of you that can be tailored to your needs and desires. If you’re a social butterfly, you could include a set of tables and chairs in a nice shady spot to create an outdoor area to entertain guests. If instead you’d prefer to keep things highly functional, you can fill your space with beds for vegetables; a great way to maximise a small garden’s productivity is to use vertical space through things like trellises and hanging or wall-mounted planters. And finally, if you’re more of an aesthetics-forward gardener, you can take your time designing each area to create a cohesive, beautiful garden. 

Once your garden is set up to your liking, it’s time to bask in its glory! If you’ve already included a seating area, you might try coming out to your garden to read a book, eat a meal, or simply to observe the beauty of nature around you. For those of you who don’t have an area to sit in, you should consider either adding one or—if your garden is tight on space—finding other ways to relax in your garden. This could look like taking a slow walk around your garden in the morning to intentionally observe all of the little signs of growth, or sitting indoors near a window to admire its beauty from within your home. However you choose to go about it, taking the time to admire your work is a great way to build your sense of accomplishment, as well as relax after a hard day’s work.

There are many other benefits to starting your own garden, but our hope is that this has given you a hint into the vibrant and gratifying world of gardening. Now, what are you waiting for? Get out there and start planning your next great adventure!

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.

Have you recently started worrying about your parents’ safety? Yes, they’re still at home and are leading independent lives, but maybe they’re not as mobile as they used to, or you’ve noticed that their memory is a little fuzzy, and you’re worried that their cognitive state is in decline? However, they’re either not ready or not willing to move into assisted living, and so you are left wondering what steps you can take to make their homes as safe as possible for them to live in. 

You are not alone. Countless adult children worry about their parents having an emergency at home and not being able to get help – and with good reason! The National Institute of Health found that the cases of people being found helpless or deceased in their homes sharply increased with age, with the highest rates in people over the age of 65. While that is a sobering statistic, you can at least take comfort in the fact that you are here, so you obviously care deeply for your parents and want them to be safe. This means you’re checking in with them, which is a very important component to someone staying safe. However, you are not around every moment of the day, so here are 7 ways that you can help make your parents’ home safer so that you can always have peace of mind knowing that they are as prepared as possible for an emergency. 

1. Trip Hazards

A leading cause of injury to older adults is taking a fall. The CDC tells us that over three million older adults visit the emergency department each year because of falls, with over 300 thousand of these falls resulting in hip fractures, and over 30 thousand dying from a fall. Falls are also the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries in older adults.

There are many things that older adults can do to help prevent falls, and these are all great things to discuss with your parents. They include wearing appropriate footwear, checking with their doctor to see if they need any supplements, doing strength training and balance exercises, and making sure they have the correct prescription on their glasses. But, while it’s a good idea to have conversations about these things with your parents if falls are a worry, or have already been an issue, they are not necessarily things that you can oversee. However, there is something you can do to help limit the risk of falls at your parents’ house, and that is by minimizing trip hazards! Here are the top three things you should focus on:

Secure Rugs

Rugs can brighten up a space, but they can also be the culprit in a lot of falls! While, of course, removing rugs is the safest option, that might not make the most sense due to warmth, sound or sentimental needs. So, instead, let’s talk about how you can make rugs as safe as possible. 

First of all, the major reason why rugs can be such a hazard is simply due to them not being secured properly. This can be easily remedied by buying a rug pad. Rug pads are placed under your rug and provide traction against the floor so that your rug can’t slide easily.  

Another way you should consider securing rugs is by using carpet tape to secure the corners. Corners of older rugs often start to curl, which can provide a sneaky little tripping hazard. Combining tape and a rug pad should help keep your rugs looking stylish and firmly in place. 

Something else to consider is where to place a rug in a home. Stay away from placing a rug on any uneven surfaces, or in any highly trafficked areas like right in your entrance way. It’s also wise to stay away from areas that are already more hazardous, like in the bathroom or too close to a heat source. 

Reduce Clutter

The second thing you should do to reduce falls in your parents’ home is to help them reduce their clutter. Clutter, especially in a house with poor lighting, or if either of your parents has vision problems, can cause a lot of falls. Plus, it can also be a fire hazard, so grab some boxes and start tossing some things in to donate! If clutter is a major issue, then you might want to enlist the help of a professional cleaner. 

Apart from reducing the risk of falls, cleaning up clutter is good for the mind. Clutter can contribute to stress and anxiety, so cleaning up is a win in more ways than one!

Install Grab Bars

Grab bars in crucial areas can provide much needed balance during the times your parents need it most, such as when they’re getting out of a shower or changing their balance at the top of the stairs. 

Unless you have the proper knowledge, make sure you get a professional to install the bars, as improper installation could cause an even more serious fall.

2. Good Lighting

Sometimes accidents happen simply because an older adult couldn’t see where they were going. It’s normal for many people to experience changes to their vision as they age, but this could make it more likely for them to fall, or to make a mistake such as leaving the oven on.

To minimize the chance of unfortunate accidents happening, you can update the lights in your parents’ home. Make sure every area has ample amounts of strong direct light, especially in areas such as stairways. Change light bulbs or add more lights to brighten up a space. Be sure to check in with your parents as well. If their vision has gotten worse than something that might seem fine to you might actually be too dark for them. 

Something else to look out for is the ease of turning on and off lights. Make sure that all switches are easy to reach and operate. If something is out of the way or tricky to turn your parent might avoid using that light. 

3. Emergency Alerts

For a lot of people, their biggest fear is having their parent get into an accident and not be able to call for help. Thankfully, there are many devices on the market that scenario a lot less likely. 

You can purchase an emergency alert device for your parent to wear. These might come in the form of a necklace or a watch. These might have buttons for them to press in case they need assistance, but many of them are built with sensors that can detect if someone has had a fall and in that case will put in a direct call to emergency services with the individual’s location. The National Council on Aging put together a robust report on various systems. This can help you select the device with the features that are most needed for your loved one. 

4. Check Alarms

While some emergency alert devices monitor air quality, it’s still important to have dedicated detectors for carbon monoxide as well as smoke. These detectors should be placed throughout the home, near bedrooms, kitchens and on every floor. Check with your local fire department for the most up to date recommendations. 

All detectors have a shelf life, so be sure to pay attention to when they need to be replaced, and do regular tests to make sure they’re working properly. Also consider your parents’ specific needs. For someone with limited hearing, a different alert system should be purchased, such as one that flashes light or vibrates. 

These detectors are always important, even if your parent doesn’t cook or use gas in their home. Fire and carbon monoxide leaks can come from unexpected sources, and you don’t ever want to play the “what if” game. So, make sure your parents have updated alarms throughout their home to give them the best protection possible. If they’re capable of operating them, you might also consider giving them a fire extinguisher or a fire blanket. These are quite easy to demonstrate and can help prevent a small fire from getting out of control. However, only do so if you’re confident in your parent’s ability to operate these devices, and, of course, always encourage them to immediately call 911 and exit their home in the case of an emergency. 

5. Security System

Personal alarms, fire and carbon monoxide alarms, what about house alarms? 

While no one ever wants to imagine a crime being committed against someone they love, it may be an important consideration when thinking about how to make your parents’ home safer. Many older adults are at a higher risk of crimes such as break-ins due to the fact that many older adults are more vulnerable, isolated, and often have predictable routines that criminals can monitor and take advantage of. 

To help protect against robberies, you might consider having a home security system installed at your parents’ home. These systems are designed to detect if someone is trying to break in, and will immediately alert emergency services. While no system is 100 percent effective, having a home security system is much better than leaving your parents completely unprotected. And, sometimes even the act of advertising that one has a security system can be enough to keep thieves at bay. 

Aside from installing a security system you can talk to your parents about other ways to safeguard their homes, like keeping doors and windows locked and never leaving their cars running.

6. Have An Emergency Kit

Sometimes we might get lulled into a false sense of security, and because of that we don’t plan for disaster. You live in a mild climate, you go grocery shopping every week, an earthquake has never happened here…

However, you never know when an emergency might happen, or even how it will manifest. Maybe you are the main support for your parent and you fall ill and unconscious for days. During this time your parent isn’t able to get their medication refill or groceries. Yes, it might be unlikely, but why risk it? Think about the unexpected ice storms, floods and other natural disasters that have struck in recent years? 

To help make your parent’s home as safe as possible, it’s a good idea to prepare at least one (ideally a few) emergency kits in an easy to access location in their home. These kits should have a first aid kit, some additional medication, blankets and sleeping bags, a flashlight, water purification tablets and non-perishable food. This government website offers some other recommendations for what to keep in a kit. Basically, it should keep you alive in the event of a disaster or other unforeseen circumstances. Don’t dismiss items you don’t think will apply. It might be unexpectedly cold or you might run out of food. It’s always good to have more than you think you need rather than finding out you don’t have enough when you’re in the middle of an emergency.

7. Get to Know the Neighbors

Finally, it might seem like getting to know your neighbors is an odd way to make your home safer, but especially for older adults it might actually be essential. Community is important for everyone, and many older adults struggle with isolation and poor mental health as they age and lose many of their peers. 

Building a community within their neighborhood is not only good for their mental health, but also for their physical safety! If your neighbor knows your habits and routine then they’ll likely notice if it’s not followed and check in. If they know you’re lonely or struggling with something, they might come by for a cup of tea or to offer a helping hand. 

Of course, you can’t guarantee that every neighborhood is going to get along, but there’s a good chance your parents’ neighbors are also looking for connections, so why not get in touch? Go over with a plate of cookies and introduce yourself. 

If your parents are already well enmeshed in their neighborhood, you might suggest swapping contact information with the ones they are closest to. That way they can be in touch if they have any concerns. This isn’t about expecting a neighbor to be your parents’ caregiver, but just about keeping an eye out. If we are all watching out for each other then it helps keep everyone safe and happy. 

As much as you might try, you can’t protect your parents from everything. If that was possible then they would have already figured it out while raising you. But, by taking the steps above you can help give your parents a better chance at avoiding accidents in their own homes, or, at the very least, getting help immediately if the unthinkable happens. 

Being a caregiver can come with many benefits. You might develop a much closer relationship with your loved one than you ever had before, and you will likely discover depths to your compassion and abilities that you never knew you were capable of. 

But caregiving is also a very emotionally and physically demanding job. Not only are you giving a lot of your time and attention to your loved one, but you are also doing that on top of all of the other commitments you have in your life. Because of this it can be easy to become exhausted and overworked, which, if left unattended, can quickly lead to burnout. 

Burnout is particularly common for caregivers and other healthcare workers, so it’s extra important that you be familiar with the signs and how to prevent and overcome them. While this piece will cover many of the common signs, there may be others that are not listed here, so, even if a symptom isn’t mentioned below, be sure to listen to your body and make changes if something feels off. You know yourself best, so don’t second guess yourself. 

1. Lack of Interest/Detachment

It’s very common for people who are dealing with the beginning stages of burnout to experience feelings of disinterest and detachment towards the things they once enjoyed or took pride in doing. Here are a few of the ways this symptom might manifest:

• Realizing that you’re not really listening or engaging when you talk to others. You might even find that you find that you feel like you don’t care about what others are saying, even if you love them and know that in normal circumstances you would be experiencing joy or empathy. 
• Declining invitations that you would normally accept. You stop going out to socialize and spend a lot more time on your own. 
• You just feel like you don’t care about anything. You might describe yourself as feeling numb. 

2. Loss of Motivation

Loss of motivation is a frequent companion to loss of interest or detachment, but it’s a little different. Motivation, as outlined by VeryWellMind, is the drive inside all of us to achieve our goals. This might be working towards a milestone in your career, running a 5 mile race, or completing a crossword puzzle simply for the satisfaction of doing it. The tasks required might not always be enjoyable, but the motivation you have to reach your goal will keep you going. 

When dealing with burnout you might find yourself with a complete lack of motivation. Not only might you not go after your goals, you might find it hard to even motivate yourself to make breakfast or brush your teeth. And it can be very difficult to find that feeling of motivation once you lose it. Even if you know that abandoning your goals could have detrimental impacts on your life, it’s like you’re sliding down a hill and are unable to stop. It can be very scary and upsetting, and often goes hand in hand with depression.

3. Feeling Helpless or Like a Failure

Burnout can also produce a feeling of complete helplessness or that you are some kind of failure, even if you haven’t done anything that you should feel bad about. 

You might feel a sense of complete overwhelm and panic, and like there is no way you will be able to dig yourself out of this feeling. You might find yourself crying unexpectedly, thinking extremely negative thoughts about yourself, or experiencing panic attacks. 

When dealing with these symptoms you might convince yourself that nothing you do is good enough. You might not feel like a good caregiver, partner, parent or friend. 

4. Moodswings

Another symptom of burnout is that you might find it very difficult to keep your emotions under control. You might constantly find yourself extremely irritated and quick to anger, or you might find yourself bursting into tears, or even feeling an almost manic positivity. 

While it’s completely normal for everybody to go through a wide range of emotions each day, these will feel out of the ordinary for you. You might find yourself being curt and snappy with someone you normally have a lot of patience with. You might complain loudly and become irrationally angry at minor inconveniences, such as a short wait for a coffee, or forgetting something in your car. It will also likely feel very difficult for you to properly manage your feelings. Typical coping mechanisms might not work, and you might even have friends and family making comments that you are acting out of character. If it feels like your emotions are spinning out of control then it’s important to seek help before it gets worse. 

5. Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms

Whether you consider yourself to be an emotional person or not, it’s important for everyone to have healthy coping mechanisms. Coping, according to the Cleveland Clinic, is a way for us to navigate through the stressors we experience in life, whether from a traumatic event, major life change, or dealing with poor mental health, among many other issues. Finding ways to cope is normal and necessary, but there are many different ways to cope with difficult moments and emotions in our lives. 

If you are engaging in healthy coping mechanisms that might look like focusing on maintaining a healthy diet or putting up good boundaries. It could also look like practicing meditation or yoga or taking a nice warm bath at the end of the day.

However, even if we know that certain habits are healthier than others, it can be easy for us to turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms. These ways of coping might make you feel better immediately, but in the long run can cause serious physical and mental health problems. Examples of unhealthy coping mechanisms include emotional eating, substance use, risky sexual behavior and poor financial habits like excess shopping or gambling. 

We all might make a choice that doesn’t feel good from time to time, but if you are in a good place then it’s likely you won’t continue participating in those activities. If you feel powerless to stop or are worried that you are dealing with addiction then the issue needs immediate attention. 

6. Poor Performance

It may happen that people who are beginning to experience burnout start having issues at work or properly fulfilling their duties as a caregiver. You might find yourself making more mistakes than usual, or forgetting things that you have done hundreds of times before. You could also just be careless, which might accompany the earlier sign, detachment. You might be doing a poor job and feel like you don’t care about making mistakes or getting into trouble. But of course, not only is this not a pleasant way to live your life, but making constant mistakes could have major consequences on your career and could also negatively affect the loved one you care for. What if you mix up some medication or accidentally make them some food that they can’t eat? Everyone makes mistakes, but if you are consistently performing poorly then that is cause for concern. 

7. Digestive Issues

Burnout can also cause a number of physical symptoms, one of which is digestive issues. You might constantly find that your stomach is in knots, or perhaps frequently bloated. You might have constipation or frequent loose stools. Meals that used to go down no problem now create gas and heartburn. 

Sometimes we might discover a sensitivity to a food we didn’t know we had previously, or be nervous about an entirely different matter. But, if there’s no other reasonable explanation for your digestive issues then there’s a good chance it could be happening due to burnout. 

8. Sleep Problems

The Sleep Health Foundation tells us that sleep and burnout have a bi-directional relationship. This means that burnout can negatively impact your sleep, but that in reverse, if you have been neglecting sleep or have had it impacted in another way, then that lack of sleep or good quality sleep could in turn lead to burnout.

Of course this can be tricky, as there are many things that can cause us to lose sleep, from tending to a new baby, to staying up to watch the latest episode of your favorite show. But if you are consistently having trouble getting enough sleep or feel like you’re always exhausted even if you think you’ve slept enough, then there’s a good chance you’re dealing with burnout.  

9. Constant Colds

Winter does mean that cold and flu season is in full swing, but if your immune system is functioning as it should, and you don’t have young children, then it is unusual to experience repetitive colds. This could look like getting a full blown cold every other week, or simply feeling that you’re never really well. Sniffles, a sore throat and exhaustion might go on and off with no proper explanation, and you might find yourself growing increasingly frustrated at the fact that you never seem to feel good. When experiencing a health situation like this it’s always good to go visit a doctor, but you might find that burnout is the culprit. 

10. Other Physical Symptoms

Finally, just as mentioned at the beginning of this article, this list won’t cover every possible sign of burnout. Yours might manifest in a slightly different way or you might experience a symptom that not many other people have. But it is important to note that along with emotional symptoms, burnout can have you experiencing several other physical symptoms aside from the ones listed above. Some of them might include:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Loss of appetite

Now that you have a better understanding of some of the warning signs of burnout, how can you overcome it, or, even better yet, prevent it? Prevention is always preferable, but if you’re already experiencing symptoms, then it’s important to act as quickly as possible. Here’s what to do:

Manage Your Schedule 

If you are at burnout then it means your workload is not manageable and you need to cut back. First, take a look at your daily schedule. Could someone else take care of some of the tasks on your plate? Sometimes the people around you might not be aware you need help unless you tell them. So, be honest and tell them you need some support – most of the time people are more than happy to offer help. Prioritize what’s truly important and let go of little details. And be sure to not say yes to any more work right now. 

Set Boundaries

It can be difficult to say no to the people you love, but you can’t be the best worker, partner, friend or parent, if you’re not taking care of yourself first. Learn how to say no and stand up for what you need. 

Focus on Healthy Habits

Diet, sleep and exercise play such a major role in our physical and mental health, and make the difference between experiencing burnout or not. Even if you don’t feel like your workload is particularly demanding if you’re not moving your body, nourishing it with healthy food and making sure to get enough shut eye, then there’s a good chance you’re not going to feel your best. Changing your habits might seem overwhelming, but starting slow is the best way to go! Drink an extra glass of water and add one extra vegetable to your day. Take the stairs or park a block away from work. Instead of watching TV before bed, pop on an eye mask and listen to a funny podcast. Yes, your ultimate health goals might go further than that, but if you try to change your entire lifestyle overnight it’s unlikely to stick. Instead, focus on small, achievable goals that you can easily incorporate into your day and build up from there. 

Take A Break

Sometimes we might feel like we can’t step away from our caregiving duties, but if you’re on the edge of burnout then you might not have a choice. 

Depending on your situation this might look like sharing the responsibilities of caregiving with another family member or care worker, so that you can have an extra day off, or fewer hours. Maybe it’s taking a week long vacation, or simply having someone come in so you can go out for lunch or head to the gym. The answer of what kind of break is needed is going to be different for everyone, but a break is going to be needed all the same. 

Talk to a Professional

If you’re experiencing burnout then it might be a good idea to pay a visit to a mental health professional. They can help you come up with further strategies to help you overcome your burnout and stay healthy long term. 

Hopefully with this knowledge you can prevent burnout, or quickly overcome it. But as a parting note just one reminder: do not ignore it. If left untreated, burnout can cause serious health complications and you might need a lot longer than just a few days off!

Winter is in full swing. While that might mean cozy nights by the fire and magical walks in the snow, it also ushers in an additional season that isn’t quite as appealing: cold and flu. 

Every year in the United States more than 200 thousand people come down with the flu, and the National Institute of Health tells us that close to 40 thousand of those people will end up dying from the condition each year. 

Catching the flu or even a common cold is unpleasant and can pose a serious risk to anyone, but older adults are particularly vulnerable, especially those with pre-existing medical conditions or compromised immune systems. That’s why it’s so important to prioritize your wellness during these cold months, so that you can stay happy and healthy all year long. While of course there’s no way to guarantee you won’t catch the cold or the flu, the following are some useful tips to help you stay as healthy as possible in the hopes of avoiding illness. 

Practice Good Hygiene 

One of the best ways to ward off illness is surprisingly simple: wash your hands! 

Although sickness can be spread through the air from droplets, such as when someone sneezes or coughs, another common way of catching something is simply by touching bacteria with our hands and then touching our own faces. 

While, of course, no one aims to touch germs or feces, generally, the bacteria that we pick up on our hands are not detectable to the human eye. So, while our hands might look clean, they might actually be covered with germs from the flu that are super eager to find a new home for the next few weeks.

A study cited by the National Library of Medicine found that on average, humans touch our faces an astonishing 50 times per hour. When our faces are touched germs can then make their way into our bodies through our eyes, noses and mouths. 

Thorough hand washing can significantly reduce exposure to cold and flu germs, diarrheal illnesses and antibiotic resistance. Here’s exactly how to do it:

• Use soap and clean, running water. Still water won’t have the same effect, and soap is essential to actually clean off any bacteria. 
• Lather and scrub both hands front, back, between the fingers and under the nails for a minimum of 20 seconds. 
• Dry hands, preferably with a clean towel.

While washing is the best method for cleaning your hands, a hand sanitizer can work in a pinch. Just be sure to not substitute it for the real thing when it’s available. Sanitizer is great to carry with you when you’re out and about, but make sure you wash your hands when you’re back home. Before we move on to our next point, let’s run through times when you should wash your hands:

• After using the toilet
• Before and after preparing food/eating
• After handling garbage
• After handling pet food 
• After coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose
• After touching a wound
• After shaking hands

Get Enough Sleep

One of the best things we can do for our health is get enough sleep! It is recommended that adults get between 7-9 hours of sleep each night. If you receive less, then you could be compromising your immune system. 

Sleep is an essential time for our muscles to repair and for our bodies to fight off infection. If we don’t get enough sleep our immune systems can become dysregulated, making it harder for them to mount a defense against illness. The Sleep Foundation even tells us that lack of sleep may be connected to a lowered effectiveness of vaccines, as well as the likelihood of more severe allergies. 

Although sleep is incredibly important, many adults don’t get enough, so, here are some tips to help you get a good night’s rest:

• Sleep in a cool, dark room. Having the heat up too high can disrupt your sleep, so try turning the thermostat down a few notches or, if you’re in a place where it’s not too cold, crack open a window. If a completely dark room isn’t possible you might consider sleeping with an eye mask on. 
• Stay off screens for an hour before bed. Try reading a book, having a bath or doing some gentle stretches instead. 
• Avoid heavy meals too close to bedtime. If you’re hungry try a light snack like a piece of toast or some oatmeal. 
• Keep your room free of clutter. It’s often easier to relax when your room is clean. 
• Establish a clear routine of when you go to bed and wake up each day. 

If you are following all of the above tips and are still having trouble falling asleep then it might be time to pay a visit to a doctor so you can rule out any sleep disorders that need to be addressed. 

Diet and Hydration

Another important factor in keeping our immune systems healthy is diet. Our bodies thrive when fed a balanced diet of protein, healthy fats, whole grains and lots of delicious fruits and vegetables. Diets that are high in saturated fat and sugar can make us feel lethargic, which can impact our thinking, our sleep, and our desire to engage in other healthy lifestyle habits such as exercise. A poor diet can also lead to a variety of nutrient deficiencies, which can lead to issues with our body’s ability to mount an appropriate immune defense against illness.   

Of course, many people struggle with how to overhaul their diet and quickly fall back into old habits by trying to make massive changes too quickly. So, instead, why not focus on some of the tips offered below to help you slowly transform your lifestyle into one that gives you more energy, focus and helps to keep your immune system strong?

• Include at least one serving of vegetables with every meal. High fiber vegetables are an especially good choice. They include leafy greens, carrots and broccoli. 
• Drink at least four cups of water each day. There’s no set rule for how much water we should drink, but four should be the minimum. Harvard Health tells us that older adults in particular tend to not drink enough water, so be sure to drink lots of liquid throughout the day. That means water, herbal deal and occasionally juice. You can also get water through soups, smoothies and water heavy fruits and vegetables like cucumber and watermelon. Proper hydration supports our joints, immune system and digestion.
• Aim for the 50/25/25 rule. This nutrition rule suggests filling half your plate with vegetables, a quarter with lean protein, and the other quarter with carbs (either starchy vegetables or grains). This can help manage weight and is an easy way to boost nutrition without getting too particular. 
• Have easy to grab healthy and enjoyable snacks. We often reach for sugar when we’re hungry, so to help you stick to a healthy diet why not stock your fridge and cupboard with tasty and filling snacks you actually enjoy? Consider nuts, chopped vegetables and your favorite dip, individual cheese packets, individual yogurts, fruit, and oatmeal. 

Social Events

One of the best ways for older adults to stay happy and healthy is by maintaining a robust social life. Social interaction and connection is essential for a healthy state of mind, and unfortunately, many older adults don’t prioritize socializing as much as they might have when they were younger. It can understandably be scary to think about engaging in a new hobby or trying to make friends at such a late stage in life, but it’s crucial for physical and mental health. 

Thankfully, most communities have centers that are specifically targeted towards programming and social events for older adults, which can help take some of the stress off of figuring out how to organically integrate those kinds of interactions into your life. 

You should also consider reaching out to the people in your life who you already know and love. Set up a regular coffee date with your kid, or plan a weekly phone call with your sibling who lives out of state. You could also consider signing up for a class or volunteering with an organization you care about in your community. There’s no better time than now to discover a new passion, so think about what it is you’ve always wanted to explore so that you can make the most out of this winter. 

Talk to Your Doctor

While it’s wonderful if we can get all the nutritional support we need through our diet, there may be times when our bodies need an extra boost. For example, many people in the United States, especially older adults with darker skin, are living with Vitamin D levels that are too low. Vitamin D ensures that there is an adequate amount of calcium in our bones for optimal function. Proper levels also help keep our immune systems in check. Although some can get enough of the vitamin D through sun exposure or diet, for many others it’s not possible, in which case an over the counter supplement might be of help. Apart from the benefits listed above, Vitamin D can also help to protect against depression and other mental health disorders. So, it’s worthwhile getting your levels checked at the doctor’s to see whether or not you should incorporate a supplement into your daily routine. 

It’s also helpful to have a chat with your doctor to see if there’s any other adjustments you should make to your lifestyle or any other supplements that might help you lead the healthiest life imaginable. 

Exercise

It should come as no shock to you that one of the best ways to stay happy and healthy this winter is by engaging in regular exercise. Mayo Clinic tells us that we should aim to get at least 150 minutes of moderate activity every single week, and at least two days of strength training. Strength training is especially important for older adults, as everyone loses muscle mass as they age. Strength training can also help with balance, functional movements like getting in and out of a chair, and fall prevention. 

And of course, exercise is known to have a very positive impact on one’s mood, so really, what excuse do you have?

If you’re feeling lost on where to begin, why not reach out to a friend and suggest you be workout buddies together? You could try out a new class or even agree to go for a 30 minute walk together each day. Sometimes just having someone who can help hold you accountable can be the push you need to change your habits.

Layer

You might have heard or once said “Don’t go out like that – you’ll catch a cold!” Now, it’s not true that being out in the cold gives you a cold, but there is some sense behind the saying. When we spend prolonged periods of time in cold environments, it forces all the systems in our bodies to work harder. Our blood vessels constrict, our heart rate rises, and we naturally expend more energy participating in activity than we would if we were in a space with a comfortable temperature. This all puts a lot of stress on our bodies, which can cause a lot of fatigue, and leave us more susceptible to picking up viruses when exposed to them. 

To help prevent this unnecessary stress on our bodies make sure to always dress appropriately for the weather. Layering is always a good option as it allows you to adjust to the temperature that feels best for you. Loose layers of wool, fleece and down are great for keeping your body temperature up. It’s also important to not leave much skin exposed, as that can drain heat from your body, so invest in good boots, hats, gloves and scarves as well. 

Other Medical Preventions

The final recommendation for health during the winter is to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about getting this year’s flu shot. Each year scientists are able to predict which strains of flu are likely going to be most dominant in the population and formulate flu shots to target those strains specifically. While a flu shot doesn’t guarantee you won’t contract the flu, it can reduce risk by up to 60%, which is particularly important for immunocompromised individuals. To find out more, talk to your doctor or read up on some commonly asked questions on the American Medical Association site. 

Masking is also a good option for protecting against illness when in crowded spaces, or when you or something you need to interact with is sick. The CDC offers more information on how to select and wear a mask should you choose to do so. 

If you do end up sick, the best course of action is to rest at home, drink lots of liquids and get as much sleep and relaxation as you can. But, if you follow the tips above, hopefully you can avoid the cold and flu, or, be faced with the most mild case. There’s nothing that stops sickness entirely, but it’s always a good idea to do everything we can to protect ourselves!

February can be a difficult month for many of us. Seasonal affective disorder affects millions of Americans each year and can bring feelings of depression, disinterest and exhaustion. 

Even for those who aren’t dealing with seasonal depression, it can still be a challenge to want to get out and be social when it’s so gloomy and grey outside. Many people also struggle with the idea of having nothing big to look forward to during the second month of the year. The fall brings in cozy sweaters, Halloween celebrations and hay rides, and December brings Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa to people all over the world. However, the start of a new year, while celebratory at first, can quickly turn gloomy for those of us in the northern hemisphere, particularly in places where we get a lot of snow and darkness. Aside from Valentine’s Day, there isn’t much in the way of big events to look forward to until the spring. 

That’s why it’s so important to find ways to remain social and engaged during this challenging month. February can be just as enjoyable as other times of year, you just have to take charge a little more than you might during, say, the middle of summer. 

Older adults might be more inclined to stay indoors, as they might feel uncomfortable heading outside in the snow and ice, or they could be dealing with fewer invitations to social events. But, there’s no reason why they can’t have just as vibrant a social life as you. So, the following list are some suggestions you can make to help your parents remain social and engaged during February. 

Learn How to Use Public Transportation

Sometimes an older adult’s lack of socialization is due to something incredibly simple to remedy: lack of knowledge! It could be that your parents are eager to get out there and check out local events or spend time with friends, but they might not be able to, or comfortable behind the wheel of a car anymore. Driving in the winter or at night might also give them hesitation when considering outings during the winter. 

However, unless you live in a completely rural area, there’s no reason why your parents shouldn’t take advantage of local transit systems to help them get around. 

Most cities have convenient transit systems. Depending on where you live these systems could involve buses, trains, subways and trams – sometimes even ferries! To find out about fares and schedules, you can visit your local transportation network’s website, or, find out where a transit station is located to speak to someone in person and see if any physical schedules are available. 

Most cities offer heavily discounted transit passes to older adults, which not only makes choosing this option convenient, but affordable as well.  

If your parents are feeling nervous about taking transit for the first time then you might offer to go with them to show them how to swipe their transit pass or pay with a card or coins. You could also help them plot out a route to and from their nearest transit stops to make sure they are comfortable with how to navigate the area. Once they are familiar with the schedule it will make it a breeze to not only get to social appointments, but also any other important events in their calendars, such as visits to the doctor or dentist. 

Make Regular Video Call Dates

There will be times when going outside frequently is simply not an option. This might be due to something like particularly severe weather, illness, or mobility issues. However, this doesn’t mean that your parent’s social connection needs to diminish. For better or for worse we live in a time of excessive connection. We can contact someone all the way across the world in a matter of seconds, whether through text, call or video chat. 

Online chats are a great way for older adults to remain connected to others, especially with family or friends who live far away. This could be especially important if your parents have recently made a move, and are feeling homesick for their old neighborhood and friends.

If your parents are a little bit apprehensive about using technology, you can support them by sitting down to help them through the apps they need to use together. Many older adults might also feel more comfortable with written instruction, so taking the time to print out a step by step guide on how to use a program, even if it might feel simple to you, could help give your parents the confidence they need to use technology more often. 

While in-person socialization is certainly important, talking to others on the phone or on video can be a great way to keep older adults engaged. Knowing that you have a regular video chat with a loved one gives you something to look forward to throughout the week, and that can help give a much needed mental health boost during the cold months of winter.

Join a Club

There are clubs out there to satisfy all interests, you just have to look for them! Clubs are a fun and low pressure way to up social interactions and build new connections. Many clubs operate on a drop in basis, so they can become a regular part of someone’s routine, without the stress of having to worry about missing a few weeks if you’re ill or heading out on vacation. 

You can find clubs advertised at your local recreation center, library or center for older adults. Some might be specifically geared towards older generations, while others are open to all ages. You can find clubs that build on new skills, such as knitting, writing or language clubs. You can also find ones that bring people together from similar cultural or religious backgrounds. Or you might be on the lookout for a club that builds upon a specific interest such as a birding or reading club.

If there is something your parents are interested in then chances are high you can find a club for it. If you don’t see something advertised at a recreation center or another similar facility you can reach out to a place that is based around a specific interest. For example try calling nature centers for animal related clubs, or a bookstore for a writing or book club. If you truly can’t find anything then why not start the club yourself? Chances are if one person is interested in the topic then there will be others out there who are interested in it too! 

Get Moving

Exercise helps our bodies in a variety of ways. As Healthline tells us, it makes us happier, boosts our brain health and can help us stay at a healthy weight. It also gives us energy, which can make us more inclined to want to engage with others and the outside world. Plus, depending on what kind of exercise you choose it can also be an extremely social activity! Many fitness classes see the same people show up to class time and time again, which can help build up one’s social network. 

You can even take the advice listed above and search out a fitness related club! Popular sports include tennis, pickleball and ping pong. But, the most important thing when seeking out a new kind of exercise is to find what feels good to you. Someone is unlikely to want to keep coming to a class they hate, so if it doesn’t feel good leave it and try something new! 

Gone are the days of simply pumping iron at the gym or only doing latex-clad aerobics. Now you go to step class, spin, pilates, yoga, aqua fit, dance and so many more exciting options. Visit a recreation center, local gym or try out introductory classes at different fitness studios to find the right fit. 

Take a Class

If your parents are people who prefer to have a lot of structure in their lives, or just really love learning, then a formal class might be the best way for them to stay engaged this February. Depending on what they’re interested in you might want to look at what’s on offer at a local college. Or, maybe they’re into doing something more artistic, in which case seeking out a pottery or painting school might be the right fit. Retirement is a great time to explore activities that you never had the time to do before but always wanted. So, ask your parents questions about any hobbies or passions they’ve never gotten a chance to explore. Maybe one of them wants to try an acting or improv class! Maybe the other has always wanted to learn how to make guitars! There are countless options out there for every kind of interest. Who knows, maybe a few years down the line you’ll end up seeing your parent up there on the big screen!

Not only are hobbies a great way to stay socially engaged, the National Institute on Aging tells us that they can help you manage stress, make overall healthier choices, and even potentially help keep some health conditions at bay. Pretty desirable results from simply doing something you enjoy!

Volunteer

A lot of older adults retreat from social engagements because they feel isolated from the rest of society. After a long career, many people struggle with a lack of purpose, and, while engaging with others would be helpful, some people turn away instead because they feel lost and perhaps a bit abandoned by society. However, everyone has youth and purpose, regardless of their age, and volunteering can be a great way for older adults to feel that sense of purpose once again. 

Similarly to clubs, there is no shortage of options when it comes to the types of places you can volunteer at. If there’s a place you’re interested in volunteering for simply give them a call – there’s a very good chance there are volunteer opportunities available! Many organizations wouldn’t be able to function without the vital support of volunteers, so there are often lots of positions available, and many of them come with nice perks! Of course, depending on the position there might be some competition, but if you are willing to work for free then there is a very high likelihood that you can find a place that will suit you. Some ideas of places to volunteer are:

• Film, music or art festivals
• Animal shelters
• Marathons and other races
• Food banks
• Hospitals

Gratitude Journal

While it might seem counterintuitive to choose to write in a journal by yourself as a way to engage more, there is some validity to it! Gratitude journaling is the practice of putting some time aside each day to write out what you’re grateful for. Sometimes this is done by putting on a timer, or by prompting yourself to think of at least three things you’re grateful for and write about them as specifically as possible. 

As Vogue says, gratitude journaling can help you focus on the present and improve mental health. Plus, it forces you to look at all the people and moments in your life, instead of focusing on the negative. Often, we might become so consumed by what is going wrong in our lives that we ignore all the good, which can make it easy for us to become withdrawn and isolated. By taking time to write down what we love, it can make us excited about the next day, and all the good moments we are sure to experience during it. Eventually that might even make someone be so excited about new experiences that they intentionally seek them out, simply because they know it will bring them joy. Of course, don’t expect to have your parents do a few days of gratitude journaling and suddenly be outgoing like never before, but every little bit counts, right?

Have a Goal

Finally, a fun way to beat the winter blues is by setting some goals for you to work towards. Sure, these can be serious personal goals like getting a short story accepted to a publication or lifting a heavier set of weights at the gym. But they can also be silly goals, like finding the best chocolate chip cookie in town, or making a list of everything you want to do before winter ends, like going skating, making a snowman and getting hot chocolate. Regardless of the seriousness of it, goals still provide purpose and enjoyment for the person or people who are doing them, so get brainstorming with your parents to find out what goals they want to set this February. Maybe they can even rope some of their neighbors in on their goals to make a neighborhood event! 

It can be hard to get back into the groove of being social, especially if you have been detached for a while, so be patient with your parents. While getting out there can feel good, it can also feel scary, so a little patience and kindness can go a long way. Hopefully this list helps you and your parents pass through the winter with a little bit more fun than last year. Pretty soon you’ll see blossoms back on the trees and then everything will start to feel just a little bit better.

February is often called the month of love, and for good reason! With Valentine’s Day right in the middle of it, many people place a lot of emphasis on their relationships—romantic and otherwise. This might mean buying your partner flowers, gifting your friends some chocolates, or giving strangers an extra smile as you walk past them. You might be on the receiving end of this too!

As nice as this extra outpouring of love is, February can also be a hard month for many; and, as an older adult, you are unfortunately far more likely to feel negatively at this time of year. You may be experiencing heightened feelings of grief and loss, or grappling with the fading of treasured past memories—you might also simply be feeling the pressure of wanting to do lots of good deeds for your loved ones, but not having as much energy as you used to.

Whatever you may be feeling, it is important to recognize that these emotions are perfectly natural, and are an expected part of the aging process. However, that doesn’t mean that things have to stay this way! By showing yourself some extra love this month, you’ll be able to better show your love to others—and you can do this by incorporating some self-care into your lifestyle.

What is Self-Care?

When you hear the words “self love” or “self care,” your mind likely goes straight to massages, spa days, and blissful vacations. However, there is actually a lot more to self-care than just these indulgences. Although massages and beachy vacations are definitely wonderful, they aren’t the only ways to show yourself some love!

In fact, self-care is mainly about improving your overall lifestyle by making the necessary changes—even if they are initially uncomfortable. It’s about prioritizing yourself, taking the time and putting in the effort to make yourself feel better. This could mean working towards feeling better physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, spiritually, or a combination of all of the above. Most people do a fair amount of self-care without really thinking about it; reading a good book, going for a walk, and eating your favourite meal are all great examples. Self-care can also be personalized to your lifestyle—everybody is unique, and so self-care activities will be varied from person to person. What matters is that the activities make you feel good, especially in the long term!

The rest of this article will detail some simple self-care activities. Whether you already have some go-to activities, or are looking to start doing self-care for the first time, our hope is that you find something that suits you, your needs, and your lifestyle!

1. Try New Things

One of the best ways to improve your quality of life is by continually trying new things. Not only does it help to keep things fresh and exciting, but it can also improve your cognitive health—something that becomes increasingly important with age. In one NCBI study, older adults who participated in active learning activities were found to have better memory function than their less active counterparts; some other studies have even linked active learning to a decreased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Because of these benefits, learning new skills is an excellent way to show yourself some love. Depending on your lifestyle, interests, and pre existing skill set, you might choose to do different things. Perhaps you’re interested in languages, and want to start dedicating a few minutes out of your day to learn a new language. Or maybe you’re an artist, and want to try out a medium outside of your comfort zone. Or maybe you just want to learn something completely new, like crocheting, poetry, photography, or coding. Whatever your activity of choice may be, it is important to choose something that truly challenges you. In the NCBI study, it was noted that “productive” activities, or activities which require active learning, are far more beneficial than “receptive” activities, which rely on existing skills and knowledge. By choosing to learn something truly novel, you’ll gain a lot more. 

These activities also don’t have to be done alone! Often, having a structured learning environment—like a club, or lessons—can keep you motivated and on track to picking up these new skills. Some activities, like volunteering, also come with the added benefit of being able to help others, meaning that you’ll be able to show both yourself and others some extra love.

2. Embrace Nature

Though simple, the act of being out in nature can improve your quality of life by a pretty substantial amount. Studies have indicated that spending time with nature—including gardening, viewing nature through windows, and taking walks outdoors—is beneficial for both your physical and mental health. According to a 2018 review of research, exposure to greenspaces was linked to decreased stress, improved blood pressure and heart rate, and lowered risks for diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, and asthma, among other benefits. Outdoor activities like gardening and hiking also come with added physical benefits, including improved mobility, dexterity, and endurance.

Luckily, nature-related self-care activities are both abundant and, for the most part, easy to integrate into your day to day life. Embracing nature can be as simple as going outside for a walk every day, or spending some time outdoors at a local park. If you happen to have a bit of extra time to kill, you can also try going on longer hikes, or spending some time intentionally connecting with the nature around you. To do this, try to reflect on what you can notice through each of your senses, such as hearing birds singing, watching trees sway in the breeze, and smelling flowers and herbs. Alternatively, you can use the nature around you as a source of inspiration for creative hobbies. A little mundane patch of moss can become the fascinating focal point of a photograph, short film, drawing, painting, poem, or even a longer story. This is also a great chance to try out new hobbies, which—as mentioned above—are great for your mental health.

If you don’t have access to a lot of greenspace in your neighbourhood, you can embrace nature in your own home by keeping houseplants, or growing things in your garden. Even if you don’t have much of a green thumb, hardy houseplants like zz-plants, cacti, and succulents can make easy, low-maintenance additions to your home. Taking care of these plants by watering them, repotting them, and simply watching them grow can all serve as wonderful self-care activities.

3. Get Moving

According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), being physically active has numerous benefits for older adults. These include increased energy, endurance, and strength, as well as improved balance and decreases in risks of falls, heart disease, diabetes, and other disorders. There is also lots of evidence that suggests that physical exercise has positive effects on cognitive health, from improved memory to decreased risks of Alzheimer’s disease. 

As a general rule of thumb, it is recommended that older adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week. Because of this, working to incorporate physical activity into your lifestyle is a great way to show yourself some love. 

If you are already a fairly active person, adding an extra bit of self-love into your exercise routine could look like taking more time to stretch, both before and after exercising, in order to keep yourself relaxed and pain-free. If you are not currently as active as you could / should be, your new self-care activities could include taking a walk, doing a few minutes of yoga, or attending an exercise class. As exercise can be easily adapted to your needs, finding a type of exercise that works for you is generally a pretty enjoyable process—just keep an open mind, and don’t be afraid to try things out until you find something that works for you, and you should be moving and grooving in no time! Some examples of exercises include aquatic fitness (aquafit), dance, pilates, weight and resistance training, yoga, tai chi, walking, hiking, swimming, and cycling, most of which can be adapted to suit your individual needs and abilities.

4. Expand Your Social Life

As an older adult, you are unfortunately more likely to struggle with social isolation and loneliness than other age brackets. As such, your social life is something that you should prioritize and aim to maintain. And, as per the NIA, having a well-established social life can also help to reduce the risks of cognitive decline—in one study, which had over 7,000 participants, it was noted that high degrees of social engagement are “associated with better cognitive health” in your golden years. Therefore, taking care of your social life is a great way to take care of yourself, too.

How you go about nourishing your social circle can vary. If you enjoy hanging out with pre existing friends, you can try allocating a set day each week or month—for example, the first Sunday of each month—to hang out together. This helps to take the stress out of planning, as you will always know that on that day, you’ll be meeting up with a certain friend. Do this with multiple friends, and pretty soon your social life will be flourishing! On the other hand, if you are interested in meeting new people, joining a local club or exercise class can put you in contact with like-minded people; this also combines the social benefits with the benefits of learning new things, in the case of hobby clubs, and exercise, in the case of exercise classes. 

If you live in a remote area or small town without many activities, consider starting your own! Alternatively, you can also join online communities on platforms like Gransnet and Facebook, or simply call your friends and family via Zoom, Google Meet, or another calling platform.

Volunteering and other community service activities can also provide excellent ways to bulk up your social calendar, while simultaneously making you feel happier. According to Columbia University’s Irving Medical Center, showing generosity has many incredible benefits, from lowering blood pressure to decreasing stress levels. Performing acts of generosity for your community can, in turn, become acts of self-care and love!

5. Try Meditation

Aging can be a hard and at times scary experience. Practicing mindfulness through meditation is a fantastic self-care tool that allows you to learn to notice, accept, and let go of passing negative thoughts and sensations. While there are many benefits to be gained from meditation, the most note-worthy include lower stress levels, chronic pain alleviation, reduced inflammation, and benefits for mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. 

Starting to meditate is actually quite simple! The most common form of meditation doesn’t require any fancy equipment, and simply involves closing your eyes and focusing on your breath, making this a very accessible form of self-care. As you focus on your breath, you will naturally begin to find yourself getting distracted—don’t worry, as this is actually the point. Meditation isn’t about becoming totally devoid of thoughts, but rather about learning to notice that you have become distracted, and gently returning yourself back to your focused state. By doing this over and over, you build a habit of noticing and releasing your distractions without judgement, a skill that is transferable to many other areas of life. For example, if you struggle with chronic pain, meditation can help to build resilience to pain through the process of noticing, feeling, and releasing the painful sensations. While this likely will not completely remove the pain, it can certainly help you to manage it.

If you want to pamper yourself a little bit more, you can try setting up a meditation area in your home. This can be as big or as small as you would like, and can incorporate any number of things, from meditation cushions, to incense, to affirmation cards and meaningful photographs. As an intentional act of self-care, try to take some time to truly make your space into one where you feel loved and at peace.

6. Fuel Yourself Mindfully

Beyond meditation, there are many other ways to practice mindfulness. One such way is by being mindful of what you fuel your body with, from your diet to your sleep schedule.

As a first step, consider any unhelpful vices you may currently have. Do you drink more than you should? Are you a smoker? Asking yourself these questions is likely uncomfortable, but it is a very important step; without confronting these issues, you won’t be able to work through them. If you know that something is detrimental to your health—physical, mental, or otherwise—then taking the initiative to change that for the better is a definitive act of self-love. It may be tough, but in the long run, these changes have the potential to dramatically improve your quality of life.

Alongside this, try making small, but intentional, changes to your diet and sleep schedule. This might look like eating one healthy meal a week, calculating how much water to drink each day, or setting up a bedtime routine to help you to unwind and sleep more soundly. As with everything else discussed in this article, how you go about implementing this will look different for everyone. For example, some people may enjoy meal planning, while others may appreciate a bit more spontaneity in their dietary choices. The trick here is to find strategies that make your life easier, or healthier, or better overall, and then stick with them!

7. Treat Yourself With Kindness

Last, but certainly not least, treating yourself with kindness and care is crucial for self-care—after all, it’s in the name! This means giving yourself grace when you fall short of your goals, and understanding that self-care is about the long-term just as much as the short-term. Setting healthy expectations and boundaries, both with yourself and with others, is key.

This can also mean having fun! Try to treat yourself like you would treat a loved one—self-love is all about expressing your love for yourself. While everything should be done in moderation, giving yourself treats like going to your favourite restaurant and going on a nice vacation shouldn’t feel like they’re off limits. Neither should doctor’s visits, or trips to a therapist. Take care of your health—you deserve it!

It’s that time of year again! Shop windows are filled with roses, chocolates and images of curly-haired cupids with their bows. While Valentine’s Day is a wonderful day for romance, it’s also a great time to celebrate all the people you love in your life. 

For older adults, a day like Valentine’s can sometimes feel isolating, as they may have recently lost a spouse or might just be feeling a little bit withdrawn from others. For those who still have their partners, or are exploring a new romance, the day of love might feel a bit intimidating! What do you get for your new girlfriend or boyfriend when you’re in your late 80s? 

Thankfully, we have five suggestions for how older adults can get creative this Valentine’s Day. These are wonderful activities to do with your loved ones, or for you to suggest to them as ways for them to make the most out of this special holiday. 

Get Crafty

One of the most beloved childhood traditions is still just as fun as an adult! Crafting is the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, and there are so many options that there is sure to be an idea that works for your loved one. 

• Design Valentine’s Cards. This is a great opportunity to be as cheesy as you want to be! Visit your local craft store to find thin construction paper in a variety of colors. Grab some markers, bonus if they are the scented kind! Pick up some doilies, and then don’t forget the glue sticks and glitter! You can even find tiny stick-on gems and plenty of festive stickers. Making cards isn’t about making something look elegant and artistic, it’s just about having fun. So, cut out a giant heart and cover it with glitter! Maybe just put a few old pieces of newspaper underneath your work station for an easier cleanup at the end…
• Fabric or Paper Hearts. A chain of hearts is a beautiful decoration to hang in a window or outside on a tree. You can make them by folding paper over and cutting out a heart shape, or cutting hearts out of felt and attaching them together with string. If you are feeling extra artsy you can even embroider the hearts with sweet designs. 
• Bracelets. Bracelets are a great activity for all ages. Craft stores in a variety of colors and sizes, so you can get ones that fit with someone’s personality, and that are easier to handle if someone’s vision or dexterity isn’t as strong as it used to be. 
• Candy Jars. Pick up a flat of mason jars, and then hit up your local bulk store to get a selection of your favorite sweet treats! Then all you need to do is divide the candy into jars and top them off with a note and a ribbon if you want to. If you want to make this activity last longer you could even decorate the outside of the jars with painted designs! Just make sure you’ve selected a paint that is safe around food and is meant to be used on glass to make sure it’s safe for everyone. At the end of this activity you have several tasty gifts to hand out to friends and family. 
• Coloring. Not only is coloring an enjoyable Valentine’s Day activity, but, according to the Mayo Clinic, it’s also a great way to relieve stress! You can purchase a coloring book from your local bookstore, or you can even find free coloring pages online that you can simply print out at home. Coloring can be done with pencils, markers or crayons. If you want to take things up a notch you can even get a small set of paints and turn this activity into a paint night instead!

Baking

No one ever really needs an excuse to make some delicious baked goods, but it’s still nice to have one, and Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to break out the sugar and butter. And, because chocolate is such a star on Valentine’s, most people don’t associate the day with any specific baked good, so you can really get creative and experiment with whatever flavors tickle your fancy! 

The Good Care Group highlights the numerous benefits that baking provides to older adults, including a feeling of increased independence, a good opportunity to socialize and also being helpful for tempting the appetite of someone who maybe hasn’t been as interested in eating – something that can sadly be a symptom of a mental health condition like depression. 

Baking is also an excellent way to lower stress and increase creativity. Who doesn’t want that? Here are a few tasty recipe ideas:

• White Chocolate Raspberry Cookies. Strawberries get all the glory on Valentine’s Day – why not switch it up with another delectable berry? These cookies offer up the perfect combination of sweet and tart flavors and are sure to brighten up any Valentine’s tea tray! 
• Heart Sugar Cookies. Nothing quite captures the spirit of this adorable holiday like a perfectly ornamented buttery and sweet sugar cookie. These simple treats provide a delicious blank slate upon which you can unleash your inner artist. Then, once completed, these cookies can be packaged off to friends (or eaten by oneself over the kitchen sink, your choice).
• Chewy Chocolate Cookies. You didn’t think we could let this list go by without featuring at least one chocolate cookie, did you? There’s a good reason chocolate is so popular on Valentine’s – it’s absolutely delicious, and these cookies are no exception! Soft, decadent and just slightly salty, these cookies are the perfect addition to any baking extravaganza. 
• Lemon Shortbread. For the lemon lovers, this cookie is melt-in-you-mouth delicious. These cookies help to balance out the sweetness of the above cookies while still providing a deliciously sweet mouthful. 
• Apple Turnovers. Turnovers are always a hit, while also being a smart choice during a time of year when fresh produce is in short supply. These fragrant and comforting treats are easy to make with store-bought puff pastry, and provide a nostalgic flavor that is sure to make your loved ones come running back for more. 

You can turn your cookies and other baked goods into care packages to give to loved ones, or you can transform your living area into a tea room for a good old fashioned tea party! Find a cake stand at your local thrift store and display your baking skills alongside a warm cup of your favorite tea. You can even combine this with your crafting skills by making handmade invitations that encourage everyone to dress up in their best tea outfits!

Make Bouquets 

You don’t need to have any official training to become a florist! Well, OK, maybe for a professional one, yes, but not if you just love flowers and want to have fun making your own bouquets at home!

There have been many studies that demonstrate the remarkable positive impact that nature can have on our mental health, but it turns out that even the act of interacting with flowers can have similar benefits! Bloom and Wild, after reading up on studies about the impacts of flower arranging, decided to run their own small experiment. The results showed that the small sample of people experienced less stress, increased feelings of creativity and lowered heart rates when focused on flower arranging. While this area is still undergoing research, the findings are so far positive, and it is well known that creativity is beneficial for our well being. So, why not combine creativity with something that can also fill our homes with beauty and delicate fragrances? Here’s a step by step guide on how to arrange a perfect arrangement. 

1. Find a wholesale or bulk flower store. Since you’ll want to buy a variety of flowers and greenery it is a good idea to find a wholesaler, bulk store or grocer that will sell flowers for less than it would cost at a flower store. Plus, at these places you can buy flowers in bunches on their own, that way you can get creative and make your own arrangement instead of redesigning something that has already been put together by a professional. There are three kinds of stems you should look into buying. First, your focal flowers, the main stars of your arrangement. This might be something like roses, sunflowers or lillies. Second are your foliage or greenery. This might be something like cocculus, ferns or bear grass. Finally, you want filler flowers. Filler flowers are used to fill out your arrangement. They’re beautiful, but not the stars. Some common fillers are baby’s breath, snapdragons and sedum.
2. Cut everything down before arranging – and be sure to buy flower food!
3. Get to arranging! Experts suggest starting with the 3-5-8 rule, which is, according to Country Living, when you use 3 focal flowers, 5 foliage, and 8 fillers. Aside from that, make it your own and experiment with different heights, sizes and colors! Once done you have the perfect bouquet for your home or to give to someone you love. 

Romantic Movies + Games

There’s no better time than Valentine’s to break out your favorite sappy movies! Thankfully, there are no shortage of options when it comes to romantic movies. Hallmark, Great American Family and Netflix offer countless choices for stories that can whisk you into worlds of fancy and romance, or you can look to prolific writers like Nora Ephron, Richard Curtis or Nancy Myers who have produced some of the most beloved romance films in history, such as When Harry Met Sally, Notting Hill and The Holiday. 

Whatever you choose (or if you happen to choose several!), there are several ways to make your movie night extra fun and creative. Here are a few ideas:

• Turn your home into a movie theater. Offer up a film menu, set up a pretend concession stand and be sure to set up foot rests with extra cozy blankets and pillows. This gives you creativity through creating special concession treats and designing the film menu. Plus it’s a great date idea if your older loved one is exploring a new romance (or simply wanting to keep the flame running with a longstanding one).
• Play romcom bingo. You can design funny bingo cards for everything you might expect to see in a romantic comedy. Ideas include a meet cute, a kiss, and a misunderstanding that leads to a fight. Click here for some more great ideas. 
• Predict the plot. Choose a movie based on the title alone and then write down your predictions for how the movie is going to turn out. This is particularly fun with Hallmark and similar movies. The closest guesser gets a small prize. 

Poetry Party

Finally, Valentine’s Day is known for being a romantic day of love, so of course it should include some poetry! 

Sometimes just the word alone can feel scary, but poetry doesn’t have to be intimidating! It can be a wonderful way to express oneself, either through writing it or by finding a piece that speaks to you in some way. Of course, writing or reading poetry is something that can be done with two people, or you can turn it into a full blown poetry party where everyone writes something or brings one of their favorite poems to read out loud (or to have someone else read out loud if the thought of doing it yourself is a little bit too uncomfortable).

Here are some poetry party ideas:

• Have everyone bring a poem to read. You can provide a theme, such as romance, or something more specific. Libraries or a site like this are a great place to start.
• Have everyone write haikus. Haikus all follow the same syllable and sentence structure, and are quite short, so can be written in a relatively brief amount of time. Remember, poetry parties aren’t about writing the best poetry, they are about having fun and being creative, so try not to get too caught up in the idea of being good. Grammarly offers advice on how to write haikus. 
• Everyone write together! Have someone start by writing a line of a poem down on a page and then pass it to the next person. That person adds another line and then folds the paper so that only the last line of the poem is visible to the next person. Continue until everyone has gone and then read it aloud! Part poem, part mad-lib, and full fun!

February can sometimes feel like a dreary month. It can be cold and grey, and there often isn’t a lot going on in the social calendar. By incorporating some of these creative Valentine’s Day ideas into your loved one’s life, you can help chase off feelings of sadness and isolation. The more creative you are, the more you might want to lean into that feeling so who knows, this could be the start of an ongoing creative practice! And, if nothing else, having some tasty cookies or beautiful flowers around even for just a few days, is guaranteed to feel good. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Many people like to think that their life is going to remain the same forever. They imagine that they’ll live in the same house or apartment and keep up with their same routine until they die from natural causes at a very old age, preferably doing something they love like gardening or while out for a run. 

While this is a nice idea, it’s not always a realistic one. Of course, it’s recommended that people do everything they can to remain healthy as they age. This means eating well, staying active, keeping up their social life to avoid isolation and prioritizing sleep, however, the reality is that regardless of how healthy someone’s lifestyle is, there’s a good chance they might still need some additional support as they age. 

This doesn’t mean that older adults can’t still lead vibrant and stimulating lives, but simply that it’s normal for everyone to change and slow down as they grow older. While maintaining healthy habits are important and helpful, it’s inevitable that our bodies grow stiffer and a little less flexible, and that we all might have trouble recalling a name now and then or deal with a bit of confusion. 

Some might face unexpected illnesses or injuries that might require a level of care they are not able to access at home. Older adults are at an increased risk of injury due to falls, according to the CDC, with close to 40,000 individuals over the age of 65 dying from falls in 2021, and many others resulting in emergency room visits and life-changing injuries. And cognitive decline and conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease can also result in a drastic change of circumstances. 

But while some illnesses or injuries happen without warning, often the need for help can develop gradually. You might not notice that your loved one needs help until the situation has become serious, and then you suddenly need to jump into action right away. 

Having to arrange care quickly can put a lot of stress on a family, so it’s always preferable to recognize the signs that your loved one needs help as early as possible, so that you can sit down to have a chat about next steps. Not only is it less stressful, but it can also help with the adjustment of making such a change, as major life transitions can often be disorienting and upsetting to older adults. So, let’s look at 5 signs you should look out for in your loved one that could signal the need for assisted living.

Changes in Mood

It’s totally normal for people to go through a wide range of emotions each day – it’s one of the amazing things about being a human being! But at the same time, most people are fairly predictable. We all know that person who is always cheerful and up for any adventure, or that person who always seems to see the glass as half empty and tends to lean towards complaining about whatever is annoying them that day. 

So, with that in mind, it’s important to pay attention to the mood of your loved one to see if you notice any dramatic changes in their mood and behavior, as this might signal a decline in their mental state, such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Mood swings don’t have just one reason behind them, and there might be a perfectly logical explanation behind them, so one of the first things you should do is get curious. Did something good or bad recently happen to your loved one? Has there been some kind of major change in their life? Finding an explanation doesn’t mean they don’t still need support, but it can help you determine exactly what kind of support they’re in need of.  

Many older adults are faced with the struggle of losing their friends and companions as they age, which can be a very difficult reality to come to terms with, and might naturally result in some changes in mood. 

For others, they might be dealing with cognitive diseases or they might have always been moody, but the fluctuations in their emotions have increased with all the changes that accompany age. Some older adults might also struggle with a lack of purpose and feel that they are being left behind by the rest of society. 

Regardless of the reason behind it, mood changes in your loved one should never be ignored. Maybe they just need someone to talk to, but they also might require more extensive support and community, so it’s always worth a conversation if you notice that their mood is different than it used to be. Here are some behaviors to look out food:

• Lack of interest in activities they once enjoyed
• Excessive irritability, and lashing out
• Periods where they seem abnormally happy for no reason
• Cancelling on appointments or events and generally being antisocial

Issues with Cleanliness

Another common sign that an older adult needs help is that they are having trouble maintaining themselves and/or their living space. When this happens it might be accompanied by clear signs that your loved one is struggling with sadness or depression, or they might not even be aware that they are not able to clean and organize in the same way they used to. 

When your loved one is struggling with cleanliness that might be in regards to personal hygiene, or their living space. Let’s look at personal hygiene first. 

Someone who is having trouble with their personal hygiene might not shower frequently. You might notice they have a strong body odor. It is also very likely that they might not regularly launder their clothes, and you might notice stains on their outfits. Their breath might also be unpleasant and you might notice signs of tooth decay. 

When someone is having trouble with their personal hygiene they might also have greasy and unkempt hair. They might have trouble cleaning up after using the washroom, which could lead to other odors and issues with proper cleaning of their bathrooms as well. 

For someone struggling to maintain their home it is likely that you will find a lot of dirt and dust on the floors and surfaces, such as the kitchen counters. Toilets and showers might display a lot of grime and even mold. There also might be a lot of dishes and clutter, the latter of which can also present a major tripping and fire hazard. 

It might not just be cleanliness as well. For many older adults, taking care of the needs of a home may grow to be too much of a burden for them to continue taking on. Cleaning out gutters or shoveling snow off the walkway may no longer be safe or even doable. Of course, don’t write off your loved one if you notice a little bit of a mess or that they are a little slow to clear their driveway. But, if you notice that they seem to be struggling with keeping up their hygiene and household tasks then at the very least you should have a conversation. Maybe they need to hire a housekeeper or a gardener, or maybe the time has come for them to get more well-rounded support at an assisted living residence. 

Confusion and Memory Issues

It’s normal for everyone to struggle a little bit with their memory as they get older, but if you are noticing that your loved one seems to be experiencing frequent confusion or memory loss, then that might be the sign that they are dealing with some health issues that need immediate attention. Here is what you should look out for when considering confusion or memory problems in your loved one:

• Frequently forgetting the names of people they know well. 
• Constantly retelling the same stories, with no memory they that have already shared this same information.
• Confusion regarding their regular routine, where they are or who people are who should be familiar with them. 
• Forgetting something they’ve done many times before, such as getting lost while out on a familiar walking route.
• Constantly misplacing and losing items 

The National Institute on Aging offers some other guidelines on what to watch out for, as well as some of the differences between a more serious cognitive condition and the normal amount of forgetfulness that comes with age. But, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. If you suspect any memory or confusion issues with your loved one it’s always better to get it checked out than dismiss it, even if you’re sure it’s nothing. As with everything on this list, it’s always best to investigate, even if the issue seems minor. Best case scenario is that there’s no need for further action, and you’re shown your loved one that you care enough to speak up. But even if it’s discovered that your loved one needs further help at least you can rest easy knowing that you addressed it as early as possible, therefore getting them help as soon as you could. The earlier an issue is addressed the better chance that your loved one can have a higher quality of life for their remaining years. So never wait to speak up.

Family Support is No Longer Possible

Most of us would do anything for the people we love. Many adult children take on the role of caregivers to their parents, putting aside their own social lives and sometimes even careers in order to be able to do so. But sometimes the needs of your loved one might be more than you are able to provide for them. This could happen in a variety of ways:

Loss of Opportunities: Caring for your loved one would mean you need to take too big of a financial hit for you to be able to handle. Or perhaps the amount of care they need means that you would need to turn down career opportunities that could set you up for the rest of your life. 

Neglect of Family: Your loved one might be taking up so much of your time that you are not able to give enough attention to your children or partner and it’s beginning to put a strain on those relationships. 

Burnout: Caring for your loved one has put such a stress on your life that you are now experiencing burnout and it is affecting all areas of your life. The Cleveland Clinic offers more insight on burnout in caregivers here. 

Safety: You might want to care for your loved one, but their condition has become too unstable for you to be able to safely provide for them. They might frequently wander off and get lost. They might not be able to navigate the house without assistance, and easily fall. They might leave the oven on or engage in other activities that are dangerous to you and others in the home. They also might be very agitated due to medication or a cognitive condition and be verbally and even physically abusive. 

It’s never easy realizing that you are not able to provide the care your loved one needs, but if any of the above points speak to you then an assisted living residence will likely provide your loved one with the attention and support they need. And that way you can take care of your own needs so that you can show up for them in the best way you can offer. 

Isolation

Finally, you’ll want to keep an eye out for any indication that your loved one is dealing with extreme loneliness and isolation. This could happen at any time, but can be especially common for older adults who have recently lost a spouse or dear friend, or have moved to a new city or neighborhood. 

Older adults who are suffering from mental illness might also isolate themselves due to feelings of depression or grief. Someone who was previously very social might become withdrawn and quiet, and seem completely uninterested in visiting with friends or participating in activities they once enjoyed. 

If your loved one doesn’t seem to go out anymore, and doesn’t seem to be connecting with friends and other loved ones, it might be a signal that they need further support and could benefit from being part of a larger community to keep them company. 

Talking about assisted living with your loved one might bring up a lot of emotions. Some older adults are very resistant to the idea of change, and might view assisted living in a negative light. Because of this, it’s important to be patient and kind to your loved one when bringing up the topic. Be sure to listen to their fears and concerns, but then gently remind them of your concerns and all of the reasons why you think this might be a beneficial transition. And, of course, it’s always a good idea to consult with your family doctor to see if they have any further recommendations or concerns. At the end of the day assisted living is simply about providing your loved one with the best support and community for their needs.

We’re only a third of the way through the winter, and we’re heading into February, which is notoriously one of the most difficult months of the year for those of us who live in chilly places. The days are short, it’s often grey and overcast, and sometimes it’s so cold that it’s not even possible to leave the house. 

This can cause depression for even the cheeriest of people, but for an older adult who may already be dealing with limited mobility or struggling with an illness, it can sometimes feel downright unbearable. 

This can present a challenge for caregivers, who not only have to manage the emotions of the loved one they’re caring for, but also have to somehow process their own feelings about the season. 

It’s a difficult task, but not an impossible one! And the pay off is absolutely worth it. After all, everyone deserves to feel good, and if the loved one you care for is happy, then there’s a very good chance you are going to feel happy as well. Want to know how? Read on!

1. Make Time to Listen

You might be surprised at just how impactful the act of listening can be to someone who is feeling down or isolated. 

Older adults often struggle with feelings of loneliness and lack of purpose, and, even if you spend a lot of time together, you might just be going through the motions, instead of actually sitting down to spend some dedicated one on one time with your loved one. 

Older adults have so many wonderful stories to share, and what better time than now to hear some of them? Put aside a little of your time each day to brew a cup of tea, sit down with your loved one and just let them talk. Ask them questions and really listen to their answers. Ask them to tell you a story, or to talk about something that brought them joy recently. And be careful not to dismiss them if they start to talk about feelings of loneliness, anxiety or sadness. Yes, it might feel uncomfortable at first, and a natural instinct might be to try to cheer them up, but often people can feel better simply by expressing their feelings out loud. And sometimes, after doing that the feeling doesn’t feel as big anymore, and they might be able to move past it on to other things. So, instead of jumping to another topic or rushing to cheer them up, try to validate their feelings and let them work through what they’re feeling without putting any kind of judgement on it or trying to figure out a solution. Sometimes the solution is simply being there for another person.

Healthline tells us that even small moments of connection each day can give a real boost to our mental health, so make a small effort, and potentially see huge results!

2. Encourage Your Loved One to Seek Help

Of course, there are going to be some circumstances that call for more help than you can offer, and that is when it would benefit you and your loved one to recommend that they seek the help of a professional mental health therapist or counselor. While of course you might want to help your loved one through their mental health struggles, it could be harmful to both them and to yourself if you try to guide them through trauma or other mental health issues that you don’t have the appropriate training to handle.

Instead, encourage them to reach out to Total Life, where they can find therapists who have specific training in a range of mental health conditions such as grief, life transitions and cognitive decline. Sessions are offered over the phone and may be completely covered by medicare. 

There are also many community options that can provide support to older adults, such as group therapy sessions or simply events where people can get together to chat about shared experiences such as groups for veterans or for people who have lost their spouse. 

If your parent is reluctant to talk to someone you might share your own experiences with how you or others you know have benefited from therapy. There is no shame in seeking help, and in fact, those who do are very brave. 

3. Change Things Up

While most older adults thrive on routine, it’s also important to have things to look forward to. Anticipation can be incredibly valuable, especially when the weather is bleak and the days are beginning to feel a bit monotonous.

You don’t need to plan anything big or expensive, but planning a small outing or a fun activity can help brighten the mood of your loved one and give them something to look forward to, which can be very beneficial for mental health. 

For indoor activities, you might consider something like setting up a movie night where you pop popcorn and set up a pretend movie theatre. You could even have a little door prize and set up a concession stand. 

Sometime else might be arranging an arts and craft table for your loved one to spend time at every day. You might work on creating a collage or painting some winter scenes. You could even get friends and family involved and at the end have a gallery presentation in the living room. 

The National Environment Education Program also talks about the many benefits that going outside has on one’s mental health, especially in regards to seasonal depression. Getting 5-10 minutes of sunlight every day can be important for balancing your mood and also making sure your body is following its proper circadian rhythm. If your loved one is mobile enough that might look like taking a short walk around the neighborhood, but if not you could set up chairs outside so that both of you could take in the sunrise or sunset. Just be sure to wrap them in lots of blankets and maybe provide them with a warm beverage as well!

If you are following the advice above and spending more time talking with them then that is a great opportunity to find out more about their interests, which you can use to help plan more enjoyable activities for them to look forward to and participate in. 

4. Take Care of Yourself

It’s hard to care for someone else when you are not feeling your best. That’s why it’s so important for you to prioritize your own health as much as you are prioritizing the health of the loved one you care for. 

At this point, we probably all know the things we should be doing to best care for our physical and mental health, but it’s never a bad thing to get a reminder. Plus, even if we know something is good for us, it doesn’t mean we’ll do it, so maybe let this be your nudge to take a look at your habits and make a change for the better in 2025. 

• Diet. The food we eat impacts almost every element of our lives. The University of Alabama tells us that while we know that poor food choices, such as those high in fat in sugar, can lead to weight gain and heart disease, many people still aren’t aware of how much food can affect our moods and mental health. While it can be very tempting to reach for that bag of chips or that delicious looking donut, doing so might be the reason you’ve been feeling grumpy or having so much brain fog these days. Of course, you don’t want to deprive yourself of all treats, but in general we should aim for eating a diet rich in protein, fiber, good fats, such as the ones found in fish and nuts, whole grains and lots of fruit and vegetables. Yes, you can still have that burger or cupcake, but try to limit indulgences to only two or three times a week.
• Exercise. Modern advice is that we should be getting at least 30 minutes of moderate activity every day, with that exercise being a combination of cardio and strength training. And remember that is the minimum recommendation. Any excuse to move your body is a good one, whether that’s getting up to do a few stretches every hour, or parking a few blocks away from work so that you get a few extra steps in. 
• Sleep. Most people need 7-9 hours of sleep each night, but the stats for Americans are not good. Over 50 million Americains struggle with sleep disorders, which can have major impacts on your overall health. If you are having consistent trouble falling asleep or getting good quality sleep, then you should visit your doctor. And in general, try to sleep in a cool, dark environment and do your best to stay off screen for at least an hour before bed. 

5. Make Mental and Physical Wellness a Group Activity 

While you’re focusing on your own health, why not turn it into a team sport? Sharing your own goals for your wellness can be a great way to help emotionally support your loved one, as it can help give them the push they need to focus on their own health. Of course, your exercise or diet goals might look quite a bit different from what an older adult needs, but that doesn’t mean you can’t dedicate time to the cause together. 

You might set aside time for both of you to get some exercise in, or commit to making healthier meals for both of you. Of course, always check in with your loved one and their medical professionals before making any major changes to their diet or lifestyle. 

You and your loved one can be accountability buddies for each other, with suggestions laid out by Forbes. This not only keeps both of you on track, but can also provide a sense of purpose for your loved one, which can be helpful for their mental health as well. 

Of course, how much you intertwin your goals will depend on the health of your loved one, but even if you do it on a small scale it can be a great way to boost each others’ moods and build camaraderie. 

6. Dig Deeper

Everyone has their own unique experiences and background, and there may be certain differences that could become increasingly challenging as your loved one ages. Even if they are your biological parent, there could still be many different hurdles and experiences that they faced in their lives due to their ethnicity, religion, sexuality or other factors that you might not have had to deal with in the same way due to your age or where you were brought up. 

While some of these issues you may already be aware of and sensitive to, you should never assume that you know everything about your parents’ experiences. Quite often, children don’t know nearly as much about their parents as they think. So get curious. Many older adults haven’t had the opportunity to process some of the challenges they faced, and, as they get older, some of those things might bubble to the surface in unexpected ways. Is it possible for you as a caregiver to educate yourself further on these topics so that you can connect with your loved one in a more meaningful way? 

Most people just want to be seen and understood, and so you can imagine how powerful it might be for you to do the research to show them how much you care about what they’ve had to go through in their lives. Sometimes this work can be painful, but quite often it is beautiful and enriching, and can help you understand your loved one on a deeper level. 

7. Build That Circle

Everyone tends to function a little better when they are surrounded by the people they love, but for many older adults, they might not have quite the social circle that they used to. Some of their loved ones might have passed, and it’s also very common for older adults to move to be closer to family, which can be good in one way, but can also take them out of a familiar environment and way from friends that they were used to seeing frequently. 

So, as a caregiver a great emotional support strategy can be to help your loved one connect with members of their community. This might be by helping to facilitate daily phone or video calls with family members or friends who are not able to visit in person. Or, you might connect your loved one with a community center that has specific programming for older adults. Humans need connection to survive, so help your loved one feel their best by making sure they are getting as many chances as possible to connect with others. 

Everyone is going to have difficult moments during the winter, but with the above tips hopefully they will be few and far between. Just remember to have patience, kindness and love, and fun, and before you know it you’ll be seeing the first blossoms of spring.