Seniors who are determined to live their best life for as long as possible understand that health and wellness are more than just healthy eating and exercise; a healthy lifestyle involves mental, emotional, physical, and social well-being.
Adoption of a holistic or whole health approach involves knowledge, persistence, hard work, and dedication. And today’s seniors are up to the challenge of embracing a healthy lifestyle more than ever before.
Senior living communities are embracing this whole health approach to wellness by addressing the nutritional, fitness, and social health of seniors in their programs and marketing efforts.
According to the International Council on Active Aging, residents who participated in wellness programs enjoy a higher quality of life, rate their health very highly, and lived in their senior living communities longer than other residents.
What is Holistic Health?
Whole health is an approach to wellness that encompasses an individual’s mental, physical, spiritual, and social health. This holistic approach to wellness addresses all aspects of your health and wellness, providing an opportunity to improve and enhance all areas of your life as you age.
A healthy life is unique to each person, but we can agree that a healthy life enables you to be socially active, mentally healthy, and independent for as long as possible.
Nutritional Health
As we age, our bodies experience significant changes affecting our health. Chronic digestive issues such as excess gas, constipation, or other digestive issues can cause aversions to certain foods.
In addition, chronic medical conditions, like diabetes and heart disease, may necessitate a restricted diet. Dental changes, including sensitive teeth or dentures, can make it more challenging to chew heart-healthy food like apples or crunchy vegetables. These challenges make it vital to pay more attention to our nutritional needs for optimal physical and mental health.
Allegro Senior Living communities prioritize the nutritional health of residents. Their smart nutrition and wellness course can help residents reach their nutritional goals. In addition, residents enjoy a variety of delicious, nutritious, and well-planned meals that accommodate their dietary needs, as well as restrictions.
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, adults ages 60:
- Are susceptible to loss of lean muscle mass.
- Eating a variety of proteins such as seafood, dairy, soy, beans, nuts, and lentils can help prevent muscle loss.
- Should consume foods higher in vitamin B-12 or foods fortified with B-12, including tuna, salmon, clam chowder, beef, chicken, and eggs.
- Vitamin B-12 is involved in red blood cell formation, and proper nerve function. Increase daily fiber by consuming whole grain breads and high-fiber cereal, as well as eating more high-fiber fruits and vegetables such as apples, avocado, and broccoli.
- Should limit alcoholic beverages to two drinks or fewer for men and one drink or fewer for women a day
Physical Health
A regular fitness routine is one of the easiest and fastest ways to dramatically improve and maintain your overall health. Regular physical activity can help older adults prevent many chronic diseases, improve their mental health, confidence, and sense of purpose.
A single session of moderate to vigorous physical exercise provides immediate and long-term health benefits for adults 65 and older:
Immediate Benefits
- Improved sleep quality
- Reduced anxiety
- Reduces blood pressure
Long-term Health Benefits
- Reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease
- Lowers the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes
- Cancer prevention & risk, including bladder, breast, colon, endometrium, esophagus, kidney, lung, and stomach
- Helps with weight control
- Improves bone health
- Improves balance and coordination, reducing risks of falls
Allegro Wellness Programs offer a variety of fitness classes to keep residents motivated, and help prevent boredom, including:
- Water aerobics
- Yoga
- Stretch and stamina
- Meditation Strength training
- Group fitness
Social Health
Socialization is an often forgotten but crucial part of a healthy lifestyle. Older adults who are isolated and lonely are more vulnerable to chronic disease, and at risk for anxiety, depression, and dementia.
One of the many benefits of Allegro’s holistic approach to health is the many socialization opportunities available to residents. Allegro’s diverse resident communities are brimming with opportunities to meet and make new friends.
Residents attend well-planned activities and events, such as paintbrush classes, wine receptions, off-site excursions, and lively happy hours.
Improve Your Health & Wellness with Allegro Communities
Allegro’s revolutionary wellness lifestyle programs include signature programming, and thoughtfully curated events, intended to surprise, delight, and enrich the daily lives of residents.
Contact an Allegro advisor, for more information on how our wellness lifestyle programs can improve the health of your loved one.
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