Home & Lifestyle Spring 2019

••• Retirement Living NOW •••••

Retirement Living NOW •••••

Retirement Living NOW ••

The Importance of independence L oss of independence can be discouraging to older adults. They have spent their entire lives living independently, working jobs, raising families and making decisions. Everyone should have the opportunity to live independently with dignity, regardless of age, income, or disability. Independence gives seniors a sense of purpose. They have opportunities for achievement, can contribute to the lives of their family, friends and neighbours and enjoy activities that they’ve always done. The chance to set and reach goals has a big impact, even if they seem small. The effects of independent living can contribute to improved health conditions in some older adults. Increased memory skills are just one to name and an important factor in living a fulfilling life. Memory loss gradually happens as we age, but independence and activity boost memory skills. Higher activity levels increase blood flow to the brain and using the mind often helps to preserve memory. Daily routines help promote both memory and independence. Retaining balance and strength is a huge determining factor in someone’s ability to stay independent. It also motivates older adults to stay active, which may result in health benefits that foster independence. Personal independence boosts your confidence. Independent people naturally tend to be a little more confident on handling issues affecting their lives. This is mainly because they are more prepared to take actions and do things without having to wait for support or permission from someone else. The natural effects of aging can sometimes make independent living harder than it once

they cannot express themselves, they won’t feel like themselves. These feelings can lead to depression, anger, or destructive behaviour, which are damaging to both the senior and his/her caregiver. Make sure you or your loved one is able to maintain their sense of self in the environment they live in. They should be able to personalize their space with photos and items that reflect the things they care about and enjoy. It’s also beneficial for them to make choices in daily living, like the clothes they wear and the food they eat.

was. Difficulties with mobility, behavioural health conditions such as isolation and loneliness, and financial strains are just some of the contributors to a loss of independence in aging adults. While we cannot avoid some barriers to independence, we can take the time to understand the importance of independence in seniors and look for ways to increase opportunities for independent living. The ability to make choices throughout the day has a big impact on how you feel about yourself. When you are no longer managing

the decisions in your life, you might feel like less of an individual. Older adults have lived their whole lives with their own personalities and beliefs. If they reach a point when

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Make walking part of your routine Y ou carry your own body weight when you walk. This is known as weight- bearing exercise. Some of the benefits include:

increased cardiovascular and pulmonary (heart and lung) fitness,reduced risk of heart disease and stroke, improved management of conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, joint and muscular pain or stiffness, and diabetes, stronger bones and improved balance, increased muscle strength and endurance and reduced body fat.

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If it’s too difficult to walk for 30 minutes at one time, do regular small bouts (10 minutes) three times per day and gradually build up to longer sessions. However, if your goal is to lose weight, you will need to do physical activity for longer than 30 minutes each day. You can still achieve this by starting with smaller bouts of activity throughout the day and increasing these as your fitness improves. Physical activity built into a daily lifestyle plan is also one of the most effective ways to assist with weight loss and keep weight off once it’s lost.

L I V E S T R O N G E R

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*Offervalid from 1/11/16until 31/12/16atparticipating clubs.Available tonew 18+memberswho signup toan8weekfitnesspackage for$149.Packagepayableup front in fullat the timeof signing. Fitnessaccessonlyavailableat the clubwhere thepackage ispurchased.OfferexcludesCurvesSmart®andCurvesComplete®.Equipmentmayvary between clubs.Visithttp://curves.com.auorask in club for full TermsandConditions.©2016Curves. All rights reserved.

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& Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2019

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