Addictions to drugs, alcohol or smoking can prove detrimental to an elderly or senior citizen’s health. If you’re taking care of a senior citizen or are one, you may have desired to learn healthier ways of curbing addiction for healthy senior living. Identifying how to lead a healthy senior life can be fulfilling and less stressful.
Whether you’re an elderly or a caregiver looking for practical tips, here are five options that will help you navigate the challenges of senior addictions.
Consistent Social Support
Loneliness and lack of social support are among the leading factors of increased substance abuse and addiction. If seniors feel left alone and abandoned, they might resort to alcohol or drug abuse to fill the void created by social abandonment. Building consistent social support helps boost the seniors’ mental health and inculcates a sense of belonging.
Enrolling them into a local home care service can help them maintain a social life after retirement. Family members can also help by visiting more often and encouraging seniors to participate in various family activities.
Vaping
For elderly smokers who want to continue smoking but with a lower level of risk, vaping is the way to go. Since vaping doesn’t involve burning tobacco, it’s considered a cleaner alternative to traditional smoking and an effective tool for quitting smoking. Caregivers and family members also remain protected from the secondary effects of smoking, as no smoke is released into the atmosphere.
For an effective vaping schedule, you’ll need a functional vape pen and a reliable vape pen battery from https://www.rokinvapes.com/buy-510-thread-vape-pen-battery/. These will ensure that you or your loved one enjoy a customized vaping experience at the right time.
Regular Exercise
Regular exercising is an excellent lifestyle change that can help seniors adopt a fulfilling life out of their addictions. It provides seniors in recovery with a new, different activity to engage with, reducing the time and energy spent worrying or feeling depressed.
Regular exercise is also a great social activity that helps senior citizens interact with their peers and create special moments. Every physically capable elderly should learn how to start exercising as soon as possible to tap into the benefits early enough.
Quality Sleep
When seniors get enough sleep, they enjoy good moods, lower stress levels and become less irritable. Generally, good quality sleep ensures that the mind is at ease, so seniors don’t have to yield to drug or substance abuse for temporary peace of mind.
You can help improve the quality of sleep by:
- Cutting out caffeine
- Meditating before bed
- Turning off blue screens at least two hours before bedtime
- Having a nighttime bath
If you or an elderly loved one still struggles with sleep quality after trying these listed tips, you might consider herbal remedies or medical support. Only ensure that you consult your doctor before use.
Regular Checkups
The best way to identify and treat possible health problems that arise from drug abuse and addictions is through regular medical checkups. These problems can be identified early before they worsen, and appropriate corrective action can be taken to reinstate seniors’ health. Regular checkups also help monitor how seniors respond to various treatments and medications.
Ultimately, finding the most practical healthy living tips for seniors depends on the type of addictions they’re dealing with. More often, these five tips should basically help with the most common addiction types we have today. However, it’s important to always work with a trusted medical expert for effective results.
Image from leah hetteberg on Unsplash
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While vaping is discussed as a potential alternative to smoking, it is not without risks. The long-term health effects of vaping are still being studied, and it may pose certain health risks, especially for young people, pregnant women, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. We strongly encourage readers to consult with a healthcare professional before making any decisions related to their health. This article does not endorse vaping or any specific products and assumes no responsibility for the consequences of its use.