Let’s Stay Connected and Age Well
“Growing old is a privilege denied to many” – Mark Twain
Whilst “getting older” may be out of our control, living our best life is up to us. Some could argue that living a happy, healthy and fulfilling life is the secret to ageing ‘well’. A study published by the University of California^ has shown that we can slow the ageing process by changing certain lifestyle factors such as:
1. Eating a predominantly whole-foods, plant-based diet
2. Performing regular, moderate exercise
3. Managing stress effectively and
4. Engaging social support & developing meaningful relationships
This week we have collated expert advice to help us age gracefully and gratefully.
Stay Connected
There have been numerous studies on the positive effects & benefits of human-to-human interaction, socialisation and the importance of friendships. Research suggests that developing meaningful relationships may contribute to optimistic longevity.
At The Richardson, our 7-day a week lifestyle program and unique, small communal hubs provide our residents with the opportunity to establish genuine friendships. What’s more, we have The Window of Love and additional resources for video calls to ensure our residents can connect with extended family and grandchildren who are unable to visit during this extraordinary time.
Whilst spending time with friends & family has been harder as of late, there are still opportunities for us to come together to interact with the people we love. Share your menu, with recipes in tow and use Zoom or HouseParty for a virtual dinner party with friends.
Try Something New
Taking up a new Hobby or enjoying an old pastime can give us a sense of ‘purpose’.
Online platform MeetUp allows people to connect with other people, communities and groups through online-hosted events. Connect with people to learn something new, like how to make authentic sushi. You can even join a book club and engage with people sharing similar interests or host your own event and inspire others.
Laugh, Laugh, Laugh!
Managing stress can be difficult at times, but there is certainly merit in the saying “laughter is the best medicine”. Laughing has many noted benefits & helps us reduce stress by releasing the body’s own feel-good chemicals, endorphins.
Find something funny to watch and laugh your way to a happier life with this list of the 50 best stand-up comedy shows.
“Love yourself first, and everything else falls in line” – Lucille Ball
Set Life Goals
Growing older doesn’t mean we have to stop setting life goals – at The Richardson, we are guided by our core values of integrity, respect, empathy and empowerment.
We focus on our residents and aim to enable every individual to continue living their best life; the way they choose.
There are many online resources to help us deal with stress, create a positive mind-set and establish life goals at any age. Big Life Journal has fantastic resources for all ages to help with a positive mindset. If you are struggling with mental health or need someone to talk to, Beyond Blue provides a fantastic free helpline: 1300 22 4636.
Generous hand, generous heart – Act of Giving
As humans, we are innately compassionate and empathetic beings. Often, an act of service or a small gesture of giving, to someone special, can give us great personal satisfaction.
At the Richardson, we encourage our residents to write notes of gratitude to their fellow Richardson neighbours. We also recognise & celebrate staff who ‘Go the Extra Mile’ through The Richardson GEM award. This monthly initiative gives residents, families and staff the chance to say thank you to those who make a significant difference to the lives of people they work alongside and support.
Recently, we came across this heart-warming video of a carer giving a meaningful gift to an older person. If you would like to arrange a photo cushion for your loved one, Big-W can print these for you. Local business Nicci and Lu also have beautiful & meaningful gifts that can be personalised.
If you require support or wish to speak to someone about your situation or that of a loved one, please don’t hesitate to contact us on (08) 9381 2800.
