So, what does it mean to have quality of life in your Golden Years? The topic is so important that the month of January is recognized as International Quality of Life Month.

Whether you’re approaching retirement age or helping a parent plan for their Golden Years, an important consideration is how to create and maintain quality of life. Older adult quality of life goes well beyond the size of one’s retirement income. There are plenty of people with substantial retirement accounts who don’t have quality of life. 

Beyond the basics of physical health, comfort, and safety, older adult quality of life encompasses the individual’s needs, interests, and goals so they can experience wellness and happiness, day-to-day. At the core of quality of life for older adults are social-emotional factors that empower them to maintain their dignity, independence, and social connection and which create opportunities for a fulfilling life.

Tips to Create & Enhance Quality of Life in Older Adulthood 

The habits and attitudes that you adopt during older adulthood can keep the mind “youthful” and contribute to feeling more energetic, motivated, and connected in life. It’s never too late to take action to create and enhance your quality of life.

1. Keep Your Mind Sharp

A mind kept active by learning, reading, exploring, and meditating pays big dividends! Keeping your mind sharp offers protection against dementia-related decline, improves memory and reaction time, and supports independent living. Here some ways to challenge your brain:

• Solve puzzles: jigsaw, word search, crossword, sudoku
• Learn sign language
• Learn a new craft 
• Learn a new skill including new technologies
• Keep a diary
• Play games—board games and digital games both have benefits
• Do an 'Escape Room' with friends—2 benefits: brain challenge and social connection!
• Exercise—it’s good for your brain! 

2. Don’t Be a Loner

As we get older, our social circles change—children grow-up and create lives of their own, so ours don’t revolve around their needs anymore. Work relationships change after retirement and casual get-togethers tend to dwindle. Social isolation and lonliness is a significant national health concern, particularly for older adults. Don’t fret! There are so many ways to maintain/create social ties and build community in the Golden Years. Try these:

• Join the Y, JCC, Senior Center, or a special interest club (art, photography, book club)
• Inquire at a local public library about online or in-person groups for seniors
• Volunteer – older adults make great readers to young kids, literacy coaches, and helpers at soup kitchens, or with programs like Habitat for Humanity. 
• Schedule a weekly date with one or more friends—and keep it!

3. Get a Move On!

Physical activity is essential for mental and physical health. It also supports healthy social connections. Regular physical activity helps an older adult maintain mobility, balance, strength, and heart and lung health. You don’t have to move like Jagger, but you do need to move, even if it is from a chair. Try these activities to do your body and mind good: 

• Chair (or mat) yoga
• Country line dancing or other dance class
• Swimming or water aerobics
• Walking with a friend
• Gardening

4. Bridge the Generational Gap

Keeping in touch with the younger folks in your family or community can be challenging. They’re busy living lives of their own and as we age we tend to put the onus of maintaining connections of the young person. Don’t wait for them to reach out—call, text, write a letter and don’t give up. Do, of course, let them know that when their lack of response bothers you and express how you feel Be proactive—suggest plans, invite them over, or schedule regular video chats to share what is going in your lives. 

5. Practice Relaxation

Establishing a routine relaxation practice helps to reduce stress, improves brain function, reduces muscle tension, and supports a healthy immune system. Some of the best ways to practice relaxation include: sitting (or lying) meditation, yoga, visualization, deep breathing, listening to soothing music, journaling, and spending time in nature. All have similar and their own unique benefits for mind and body health and to promote overall wellbeing.

• Set aside 10-15 minutes each day to practice
• Keep a journal of your state of mind before and after your practice 
• Try a meditation app to help you begin and progress

There are many other factors that contribute to older adult quality of life, some of which you can learn more about on our blog, including:

• quality sleep for older adults
• nutrition for wellness and brain health
• hobbies and volunteerism
• setting intentions
• maintaining intimacy and social connection

Redefine Purpose, Passion, and Leisure at Everbrook Senior Living 

Engaging in hobbies and leisure activities is vital to quality of life in the Golden Years. The activities we’ve discussed offer a sense of purpose and fulfillment, both of which support healthy, independent living for older adults. Really, though, it’s just the tip of the proverbial iceberg as there are as many ways to create meaning and quality of life in older adulthood. 

At Everbrook Senior Living, our best-in-class programs and services are focused on the unique interests and needs of every resident. We design custom programs to help our residents explore meaning and redefine purpose and passion for themselves. 

Whether it’s gardening, painting, a club focused around movies, books, or the NFL, or any other activity, we offer a multitude of options for creativity and self-expression and social interaction.

We create environments and provide care that addresses and nurtures an older adult’s physical, emotional and social well-being. A holistic approach is crucial in truly enhancing the quality of life for the elderly. Everbrook's caring and professional staff considers every aspect of an older adult quality of life. We wouldn’t want any less for our own family members and you should expect no less for you and yours.