As we grow older, our physical and mental health also declines. This explains why many people dread reading or hearing about aging topics. However, there have been studies on activities that can help us grow healthier as we grow older.
Optimism in seniors has been studied as one of the most helpful ways to help your loved ones have better health. It is often useful in the following ways:
Coping Mechanism
There are different things to deal with after surgery, especially for older adults. Recovering can be hard and discomforting, however, optimism is a great coping mechanism while going through this.
Older adults that are generally optimistic are less likely to suffer complications than pessimistic ones. It is a better coping mechanism to help your loved ones deal with whatever comes after surgery.
While optimism might not be natural for everyone, it is learnable. As a caregiver, you can move your loved ones into an assisted living community for them to meet other people.
Keeps Older Adults Healthy
Optimism can help control things like blood sugar and cholesterol level in older adults. Also, maintaining a positive mindset can boost your loved ones’ immunity and reduce their risk of cancer and other infections. Optimistic older adults have better cognitive and physical health when compared to pessimistic ones.
Generally, older adults with a positive mindset often have a healthier outlook than pessimistic older adults.
Social Engagement
Older adults living alone are more likely to suffer a risk of anxiety, depression, heart disease, stress, and other mood-related conditions. Optimism in older adults helps them to be more socially engaging. They have a large network of friends and acquaintances to relate with. So they are never at risk of suffering conditions caused by isolation.
There are a couple of programs and activities available in assisted living communities to help your loved ones develop this habit.
Reduce Stress Level
Stress has been found to be responsible for a lot of health complications in older adults. It can cause inflammation (which increases the aging rate), and increase the risk of dementia.
Optimism helps manage stress effectively, it lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormones, and increases the secretion of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Studies have shown that optimistic older women have a reduced risk of inflammation.
Optimistic people enjoy life more as they age, and their mental and physical health will significantly improve. They are everyone’s favorite and enjoy a lower risk of chronic illness.
Longer Lifespan
According to a study by Harvard University in 2022, people who are more optimistic enjoy longer lifespans. It is also found that women who live beyond 90 irrespective of the racial group are more optimistic.
More than 10% of longer lifespan is as a result of being optimistic. The effect on health depends on how optimistic you are. The more optimistic your loved ones are, the more the effect they feel on their health.
Optimism is an effective tool in humans, therefore ensure your older adults maximize it. Our retirement community can help your loved ones develop this habit.
