If you have a loved one living alone or in assisted living or memory care, you have probably found yourself focused this last year almost exclusively on checking in on them to make sure they are being kept as healthy and safe as possible. It’s been a roller coaster of a year and the pandemic has done a good job of shaking up everyone’s nerves and confidence in doing simple things like going to the grocery store or dentist.
All this concentration of worry and anxiety has caused many adult children to neglect their own health. Perhaps you have gained weight, put off check ups and dental visits and acquired all sorts of other unhealthy habits that, over time, can have a serious negative impact on health.
Now that we’re into a new year, it’s time to get in gear and do an inventory of where you are today and what you can do to help restore good health to yourself and your family.
A great place to start is by doing a health self-audit. Here are four questions to ask to check in on your own health:
- What am I eating? Small adjustments to what we put into our bodies can have major results. Now is the time to re-familiarize yourself with healthy regimens, such as the Mediterranean diet, known to be balanced and full of essential nutrients. Consider reducing the amount of alcohol you are consuming as well. Reduce your intake of high fat, carb-rich “comfort foods”.
- How much sleep am I getting? The restorative quality of a good night’s sleep cannot be overstated. Are you following the basics, such as not eating a heavy meal before bedtime, and finding ways to put worries on the back burner?
- Am I exercising every day? Exercise increases oxygen to the brain, essential for thinking clearly and maintaining healthy organs. Just 30 minutes of walking or other low impact exercise can help you feel better and reduce anxiety.
- How am I caring for my emotional wellbeing? So many therapists now conduct sessions online that there is no longer an excuse to avoid seeking professional help to make sure you are finding positive outlets for stress and engaging in more positive thinking.
At Anthem Memory Care communities we are continuing to take all the precautions recommended by the CDC and are working hard to make sure our residents and staff stay healthy. We feel we are closer every day to our goals of a COVID-free world which only deepens our resolve to protect, engage and love our residents.
Please feel free to contact us at any time to discuss your challenges and concerns. We are dedicated to serving, not only our residents but families as well. Our advice to all families of individuals in senior care is to stay informed, get involved and work on optimizing your own health!