5 Ways Your Senior Parent Can Handle Stress

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Stress Management Tips for Your Elderly Loved One in Park Cities, TX

Seniors experience stress for a number of reasons, ranging from health problems to financial issues. Finding ways to alleviate these feelings can boost their quality of life. Here are some tips to help your elderly loved one remain calm and handle stress. 

1. Keep a Journal

Writing in a journal on a daily basis gives your loved one a way to jot down anything that’s causing him or her stress. The act of writing out worries and concerns can serve as a form of stress relief while also providing your loved one with a chance to put his or her problem-solving skills to use on paper. Journals are a good option for seniors who aren’t always willing to discuss their concerns with other people. 

2. Spend Time with a Pet

Playing with a dog or petting a cat can significantly reduce stress levels. If your loved one can’t have a pet due to his or her living situation or other reasons, he or she can take advantage of pet therapy services. During a pet therapy session, a person brings a dog or cat for your loved one to spend time with and bond. 

3. Practice Gratitude

Whenever possible, your loved one may want to take time to reflect on everything he or she is thankful for in life. Focusing on gratitude can help your loved one realize how fortunate he or she is, and it can also boost his or her mood. Such realizations can reduce stress, especially when seniors focus on them on a regular basis. 

Caregivers need stress relief, too, so practicing gratitude can be a great idea for the whole family. Family caregivers sometimes need a break from their caregiving responsibilities. When they need respite care, University Park families can rely on professional caregivers to help their senior loved ones remain safe at home.

4. Get Physical Activity

Exercise can lower stress levels while also keeping your loved one in shape. Physical activity can be as simple as going for walks each day and taking in some fresh air. It can also include activities that are a bit more challenging, such as swimming or playing tennis. 

For seniors with mobility limitations or health conditions that make it difficult to exercise on their own, professional caregivers can be a wonderful asset. There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to address if their families opt for professional senior care. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place.

5. Find a Hobby

Seniors who have hobbies to focus on tend to have lower levels of stress. Hobbies offer a way for your loved one to keep his or her mind active without dwelling on things that cause anxiety or stress. Your loved one can choose from a wide range of hobbies, including reading, gardening, birdwatching, and working on arts and crafts. 

Stress can have a number of unhealthy physical and emotional effects on seniors, so lowering stress levels is an important part of boosting their overall wellbeing. In University Park, at-home care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Home Care Assistance, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. We offer a revolutionary program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy. If your loved one needs help with the challenges of aging, call one of our compassionate Care Managers today at (214) 363-3400.

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