According to statistics, the aging population of Los Angeles will exceed 1 million by 2030, accounting for one-fourth of the city’s total population. As people get older, they often go through a lot of life changes. This could often involve not being able to do as much as they once did, which can lead to feeling isolated, depressed, and down.
If your parents are getting older, or you have an elderly relative who you care about and want to ensure that you are supporting them to be as happy and fulfilled as possible, then it’s worth considering the various things that you can do to achieve this. While every senior person is going to be different, there are a few main things that most seniors agree they are looking for in their golden years.
Independence
Nobody likes to feel that they have to rely on others for everything, including seniors. Many seniors will have spent their lives looking after themselves, and having to rely on others can feel embarrassing and unsettling for them. Because of this, it is a good idea to do whatever you can to encourage and help your senior relative to be as independent as possible.
This could mean supporting them with moving to an assisted living facility such as senior living Los Angeles, where they can remain independent while having help on hand when needed, or making modifications to their home to make it easier for them to manage, so they can remain independent at home.
Social Life
For many seniors, loneliness is one of the biggest issues that they face when getting older. This has only been made worse by the recent coronavirus pandemic, where visits to senior relatives were discouraged or even prohibited, as a way to keep them physically safe.
But just like younger people, seniors who are spending a lot of time alone can quickly become depressed and anxious, having an impact on other areas of their life and their wellbeing in general. One of the best things that you may be able to do is simply visit more often, call to have a chat, or plan activities with your relative – of course, everyone’s level of introversion and extroversion is different, so make sure that it’s at a level they are happy with.
Support
Simply knowing that they can get support if it is needed will often be enough for lots of seniors, especially those who are determined to be as independent as possible. It is one thing to be independent, and another to feel like you have been left to figure things out on your own. Don’t overwhelm your relative by offering help to them, but make sure that they know you have got their back and will be there for them if they need you.
Joy
For many seniors, doing things that bring them joy is an important part of this stage of their life. After working hard before retirement, raising a family and making lots of sacrifices, they may simply want to dedicate more time to their hobbies, and things that they love to do, so it’s worth figuring out any ways that you can help to make this happen for them.
If you want your senior relative to spend this stage of their life happy, healthy and loved, there are several things that you can do to support them.
