According to the John A. Hartford Foundation, 94% of older adults say it's more important to maintain quality of life than it is to live as long as possible. After all, what use is it to live to 100 years old if you aren't happy and healthy?
The key to having an excellent quality of life is to focus on protective factors. Without them, it can be challenging for seniors to find meaning and purpose in their daily lives.
So what are protective factors, and what are the specific ones that help seniors thrive in Trinity, FL? Read on to find out.
Protective factors are what help seniors maintain their health, independence, and quality of life as they age. They can be things like strengths, resources, and supports.
What's important about protective factors is that they act as buffers against risks such as:
So rather than just get by, older adults thrive.
Protective factors can include both personal habits and community supports. Together, these elements work to reduce vulnerabilities and enhance resilience. As a result, seniors can adapt to challenges and enjoy meaningful and fulfilling lives.
Now that you know what protective factors are, let's go over the ones that seniors in Trinity, FL need.
One of the best and most effective healthy aging strategies is to keep up with social connections. Meaning social ties can significantly help older adults' mental and physical health, so be proactive in interacting with friends, family members, and neighbors.
To do this, find things like:
If you're already in a senior living community, then look to its daily social programming. For example, there may be activities like:
All of the above can reduce isolation and support a sense of purpose.
Senior resilience in Trinity, FL, is heavily dependent on reliable access to healthcare services. If you're able to get that, then this lowers hospitalizations and supports your independence. Luckily for you, local hospitals and clinics coordinate with area aging resources, and they connect seniors to care.
As for senior living settings, the staff often arrange:
A major protective factor is access to a safe living environment. Older adults should have:
In independent and assisted living support, there are additional layers of safety that residents can benefit from. For instance, in our community, we have:
What you eat can greatly affect how you feel. Older adults have changing nutritional needs, so it's essential that meals are tailored to them.
When you have regular access to food that meets your nutritional requirements, you'll have better:
If you aren't able to cook for yourself, then there are food aid services such as "Meals on Wheels." These home-delivered meal programs can be extremely convenient.
And in senior living communities, there are chef-prepared meals with nutrition oversight. This means that you'll get delicious food that's healthy for you.
Being stuck somewhere is no fun; not only are you isolated, but you can't get important things done either.
This is why safe and affordable transportation is a protective factor. It opens a whole world of opportunities for seniors, such as travel to:
If you aren't able to drive anymore, then check with the county's resources. They can refer you to transportation options.
Otherwise, if you're in a senior living community, they'll provide third-party methods for you to run errands, get to appointments, and have fun outings with other residents.
It's vital for people of all ages to get regular physical activity, but even more so for seniors. It can lower the risks of:
Fortunately, Trinity's planned neighborhoods and local parks give you ample opportunities for walking and other wellness activities. You can even pair up with other older adults, so it's more interesting!
You won't have to worry about being bored in senior living communities either. To help you out, we have fitness classes, a pool, and tailored exercise programs to support mobility.
According to the National Institutes of Health, 42% of Americans over the age of 55 will eventually develop dementia, and the number of new dementia cases per year will double by 2060. So it's essential that you do activities that challenge the brain. The following can protect against cognitive decline:
Emotional wellness for seniors is important too. Be proactive and seek out mental health services to reduce anxiety and depression, which can then improve your overall resilience.
These resources are all available in senior living as well. The daily schedule is full of activities to keep residents engaged and healthy. There are even activities that are tailored for memory care engagement, so no one's left out.
Now you can answer the question, "What are protective factors that help seniors thrive in Trinity, FL?"
As you can see, they're made up of various things, ranging from social connections and regular physical activity to good nutrition and cognitive stimulation. All of these factors come together to holistically support older adults, and this results in a better quality of life.
If you aren't able to access protective factors on your own, then consider moving into a senior living community. Everything's already set up for you, so all you'll have to do is get yourself into an apartment!
Contact us today to hear more if you're looking for a senior living community in Trinity, FL. Discovery Village Trinity has a controlled access entry system to give our residents peace of mind.