If a senior loved one has felt down lately, they aren't alone. Many members of this population experience loneliness or depression as their life changes. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to boost their mental and emotional health. Incorporate these ideas into your senior care plan to help them improve their outlook.

How to Boost Mental & Emotional Health in Seniors

1. Keep Them Active

Promote physical activity, such as low-impact walking and swimming, since it does more than keep seniors strong, healthy, flexible, and coordinated. Exercise contributes to better sleep and provides mental health benefits by releasing endorphins that bring on euphoric feelings. Healthy sleep also aids mental and emotional health because your loved one will feel rested and energized. Additionally, exercise produces the norepinephrine hormone that helps reverse stress-related brain damage.

2. Encourage Socialization

Help your loved one socialize while keeping social distancing in mind by setting up virtual meetings with friends and family to stay in touch. Look into classes as well, such as craft and gardening options at the nearby senior community center. Local bridge and book clubs also provide socialization opportunities.

3. Spend Time Outdoors

Make enjoying time outdoors part of your senior care plan, as connecting to nature has shown to reduce stress and promote optimism. The natural world offers visual and cognitive stimulation through beautiful landscapes and soothing sounds, such as running water, rustling trees, and singing birds. Taking deep breaths of fresh air also helps relax the mind and body by slowing the heart rate and stimulating the vagus nerve, which regulates the body's "rest and digest" activities.

If a loved one requires more intensive senior care services to stay active, happy, and healthy, contact America Home Health Care in St. Louis, MO. This agency works with individuals of all ages, including seniors, who could benefit from in-home health services. Call (314) 830-3610 today to discuss your loved one’s needs, or visit their website for more information about caregiver options. You can also like their Facebook page for additional senior care tips and ideas.