A sense of purpose is essential to holistic wellbeing for all of us, but it’s particularly important for the seniors in our lives. An individual’s place in society and their responsibilities change as they age. Seniors sometimes struggle with transitioning into retirement or away from being a primary caregiver to children and grandchildren. Health concerns and regret about life may creep in, posing their own challenges. When it comes to finding purpose later in life, there are a number of ways you can help your senior loved one reconnect with their sense of meaning .
- Stay Creative. The arts have a huge positive effect on the emotional and even physical wellbeing of older adults. Seniors can find a sense of purpose in life by exploring hobbies and pastimes they might not have had time for when they were working or raising children. Retirement is the perfect time to pick up new creative pursuits, everything from pottery to painting to puzzles to scrapbooking. Encourage the senior loved one in your life to write that novel he or she has always dreamed of, or sign up for an online or in-person course to explore a new art form.
- Stick to a Routine. Boredom and restlessness can creep in when days are unstructured. Talk to your loved one about setting a routine, such as a bedtime and time to wake up, a certain day of the week dedicated to hobbies or chatting with relatives, or certain hours of the day set aside for fun activities. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and break the routine when it makes sense to do so, however!
- Give back. Everyone wants to feel needed in life, and seniors have so much to contribute to their communities. Being generous with their time, experience, and resources can help with finding purpose later in life. Encourage your loved one to find a way to give back that suits his or her own interests and abilities. He or she can volunteer to babysit for family members, adopt a pet or some new houseplants that need care, or get involved with a local charity or community school.
- Prioritize socialization. Seniors sometimes become isolated as they age. Staying up-to-date with family members through regular phone calls or video chats can help alleviate feelings of loneliness. Similarly, keeping in touch with friends through regular calls or meetups can re-ignite a senior’s sense of purpose. Encourage the older loved one in your life to seek out meetups or clubs in the area. If you aren’t able to visit a loved one in person or are unable to provide transport to and from outings, an in-home caregiver can be an excellent conduit for socialization.
If a senior you love could use assistance finding purpose and maintaining a daily routine, reach out to Senior Home Care of Tucson. Our team of compassionate caregivers is highly-trained and can meet a variety of care needs. We match every caregiver to the seniors they serve individually, taking into account personality and likes and dislikes. Just some of the many services we provide include:
- Planning and preparing meals
- Respite care
- Assistance with personal hygiene
- Transportation to fun outings, medical appointments, etc.
- Light housekeeping and laundry
- Companionship and socialization support
- Specialized care for seniors with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia
- And much more
Simply contact us online or reach out over the phone at 520-355-4787 to request a free in-home consultation. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have and to share more information about why we’re the top provider of Catalina home health care, and throughout the nearby areas.