Benefits of Senior Wellness Programs

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly a third of all seniors live alone today. With almost 47 million seniors in the U.S., and that number is growing each year, feelings of isolation are quite common, but they don’t have to be. Instead, the number of senior wellness programs is growing fast, and these programs mean a healthy, positive lifestyle that leads to physical and mental benefits for seniors.

Does Wellness Matter?

Wellness for seniors is key. It means preventing a number of chronic health conditions as well as lessening the effects of other conditions. The healthy habits senior wellness programs promote could lower the risk and impact of problems like:

Senior wellness programs do much more than that, though. The benefits of these senior centers abound. One of the biggest benefits is that they take a holistic approach to health. Seniors are encouraged to adopt a healthy diet, exercise regularly, become socially active, and work on stress relief within wellness centers, which could help promote wellbeing.

Additionally, they offer increased physical activity. Wellness centers provide all types of physical activity under supervision for seniors. It is now well established that exercise for seniors has many benefits that resonate beyond just being physically fit. Regular exercise among seniors is known to lower blood pressure, offer better control of blood sugar, and reduce cholesterol levels – all factors that increase stroke and heart attack risks. In addition, exercise is known to enhance blood flow to the brain, nurture the brain cells and lower the risk of dementia.

Exercise isn’t the only place where wellness centers really excel, though. They also offer nutrition advice. They regularly provide education on nutrition for seniors. Wellness programs usually even have nurses and or dietitians develop menu plans for seniors.

Additionally, they promote home safety. By joining a wellness program, participants get information on how to make their homes safer. From tips on reducing clutter to ideas about how to ensure every space is more accessible, these programs can help keep seniors safer in their homes for longer. Some even offer simple installation help for things like improved lighting and grab bars in the bathroom.

One of the biggest benefits of joining a wellness program is that it allows seniors to interact with others. Activities that encourage interaction with others may include dancing, solving puzzles, joining a book club, playing chess, going to the recreation park, playing bingo, or having brunch as a group. Isolation, depression, and loneliness are very common in seniors, and wellness programs go out of their way to improve socialization. Some wellness programs highly encourage that seniors volunteer their time and give back to the community. This type of charity is a two-way street; the recipients are thankful, and the volunteer develops inner satisfaction and contentment with life. Volunteerism can be done with a local charity at schools, hospitals, nursing homes, homeless shelters, or a food bank. The rewards of volunteering are immeasurable. Wellness programs are also fully aware of the importance of worship and spirituality. No matter what faith you practice, wellness programs provide spiritual support, including meditation, yoga, pet therapy, and even worship.

Real Health Benefits

Wellness programs can do so much for seniors, and they pay off in a big way. What are some of the tangible benefits seniors can expect after they join?