Life after retirement can be exciting and empowering for some, but empty and isolating for others.
That’s why communication is so important to them.
Senior citizens are using technology and social media to stay connected and fulfilled, but they need much more than that.
In this post, we’ll tell you what else they need to make the most of life beyond retirement.
What Matters Most After Retirement
Here’s what senior citizens want most when they get older.
1. Health
Osteoporosis, arthritis, hearing impairment, and incontinence are all common conditions the elderly suffer from. That’s why it’s important that they receive consistent, high-quality healthcare from attentive staff.
2. Relationships
It’s crucial that senior citizens build and maintain relationships with family members and friends.
These people provide companionship, which is invaluable at any age.
3. Community
As well as companionship, the elderly also need to build relationships with others in their communities.
They can do this by participating in group activities and themed events or going on outings.
The opportunity to socialize improves their well-being, as well as their mental health. It also instills a sense of belonging. Without these things, there is a stronger likelihood of experiencing depression.
4. Food
Food is one of life’s greatest pleasures, but as people age, they can become more selective about what they eat.
They need to be able to eat not only food that they enjoy, but food that gives them the nutrition they need to maintain their health.
5. Routine
Routines can be anchors and sources of comfort for senior citizens.
That’s why family members and care workers need to help in order to keep these in place.
6. Respect
Seniors appreciate being honored with respect. This can be shown in even small gestures, such as giving handshakes, addressing them with titles, or simply engaging in polite conversation.
7. Physical Activity
Staying active can be difficult for senior citizens, but it’s more important than ever.
Whether they’re playing sports, going for walks, or doing simple exercises from their chair, physical activity is hugely beneficial. It releases feel-good hormones and keeps health problems at bay, taking care of physical and mental health.
8. Comfort
There’s no place like home, and wherever senior citizens stay, their comfort should always be a top priority.
As they start to spend more time indoors than they used to, physical comfort becomes more and more important.
9. Financial Security
Some seniors require assistance in managing their money.
Otherwise, they can inadvertently neglect their financial responsibilities and end up with credit issues.
10. Independence
Some senior citizens struggle to take care of themselves and complete everyday tasks. However, this doesn’t mean that they should have everything done for them.
They need to have a sense of independence in order to maintain their self-esteem. Staff can create this by teaching them how to perform tasks and supporting and enabling them as much as possible.
Care for Seniors with Paradigm
At Paradigm Senior Living, we know what’s most important after retirement.
We’re dedicated to building, managing and servicing assisted living facilities that are based upon those crucial qualities.
Over more than three decades, we’ve cared for thousands of residents.
If you’re looking to invest in your own senior living community or interested to learn more about senior housing, contact us to see how we can help you.