Justine Irving is a Master of Applied Gerontology student at Flinders University. She is exploring the impact of purpose on the wellbeing of seniors in residential aged care. エイジングケアを学ぶ情報サイトはこちら
Having a sense of purpose is associated with many health benefits, including increased life satisfaction and better physical and mental health. Help your aging loved one identify and pursue activities that contribute to their sense of purpose.
Socialization
The elderly have a strong innate need to be social. They want to be around people who care for them, and they are often eager to find new social connections. It can be easy for them to neglect their socialization needs as their physical abilities decline, and this has a profound impact on their well-being.
Research shows that seniors who are isolated are at higher risk for a host of health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, depression, cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease – and even a shorter life span. This is why it is important for family caregivers to help their loved ones prioritize socialization in their lives, and this may mean a simple phone call or stopping by for a visit.
The benefits of a social life are numerous and go far beyond simply connecting with family and friends. Seniors who spend time with other people also have the opportunity to learn and grow from the knowledge and experiences of others. This can help them to remain intellectually sharp, and it can even contribute to their mental and emotional wellbeing.
In addition, the sense of purpose that comes from being social is an important ingredient for overall happiness in later life. This is because the ability to feel like one has a purpose in life is linked to better self-rated health and lower levels of depressive symptoms.
It is possible for many older adults to overcome the barriers to socialization that they face. However, these obstacles can be significant, and they can include the following:
In order to address these challenges, a broad range of sectors should work together to promote and support the participation of older adults in society. This includes public, private and civil society organizations. Efforts should focus on creating an environment in which older adults can thrive, and they should be aligned with local aging priorities and contexts. Moreover, the engagement of older adults in societal activities offers an opportunity to increase the global GDP by almost $6 trillion. This is a huge opportunity, and it should be embraced by all stakeholders in the community.
Exercise
The ability to stay active is key to aging well. Getting exercise boosts mood, helps stave off depression, improves sleep quality, and reduces chronic pain. It also prevents muscle loss and strengthens bones, bolsters heart health, helps lower blood pressure, and lowers risk of some diseases.
Taking up new challenges in older age and maintaining them can restore feelings of purpose. It can help to counteract the effects of loss, particularly when it involves family or social ties, and it can build self-esteem through the feeling of mastery that is associated with physical activities.
Finding a form of exercise that appeals to the interests and needs of each individual is vital. Most seniors can begin exercising without consulting a doctor, though people with major health conditions should check with their doctors first.
Exercise can be anything from a walk in the park to a fitness class or a dance lesson. Some popular forms of exercise for seniors include stretching exercises, core training, and balance exercises. These types of exercises improve balance, reduce fall risks, and increase the ability to recover from falls if they occur. They can also increase blood flow and lubrication in the joints, reduce fatigue, and help improve sleep patterns.
Many aging adults are looking to exercise more and have fun doing it. Incorporating a variety of recreational and social activities in addition to regular exercise can create a full life. For example, a senior may break a sweat at a morning Pilates class and spend the afternoon painting or watching a blockbuster film with friends.
The findings of this study are in line with a more general theory of behaviour change known as self-determination theory, which asserts that in order for behavior to change, an individual must meet three psychological needs: the need to feel competent; the need to belong; and the need to achieve autonomy. These needs are met when a person engages in meaningful activity, whether that is through volunteering or pursuing hobbies and interests. This synthesis provides gerontologists and public health practitioners with an approach that can be used to develop and enhance programs that promote active aging in the community.
Volunteering
As we age, we can easily become isolated. Getting out into the community and participating in volunteer activities can help keep older adults socially engaged, which is important to mental health. It also helps prevent depression, and seniors who volunteer have a lower risk of dementia compared to those who don’t participate in volunteering activities.
Volunteering is an activity that can be done in person, which may be challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, many research and practice centers have developed remote forms of volunteering for this population, such as the Phone Angel program in which Chinese American older volunteers provide support, referral, and emotional support to their fellow community members who are caring for a sick family member through phone calls (15).
Regardless of whether an activity is conducted in person or remotely, it is essential that the volunteer activity be well matched with the elderly participants’ capabilities, interests, knowledge, and skills. For example, the picture book reading in the REPRINTS program (12) was an appropriate activity for elderly participants with mild-to-moderate dementia because it was intellectually stimulating and manageable for them.
Seniors can use their years of experience and life lessons to teach others about a variety of topics, including coping with illness and grief. In addition, their rich life experiences can give younger generations a glimpse into what it is like to grow up in different times and cultures, and this sharing can promote understanding and empathy between the two groups.
The good news is that there are plenty of opportunities for older adults to get involved in their communities through volunteering. For example, a local garden may be looking for volunteers to assist with the upkeep of their grounds. In addition, some organizations facilitate peer-to-peer mentoring, such as AARP, which pairs older mentors with students who are interested in pursuing a particular field of study or career (17). In this way, seniors can share their passion and expertise while helping young people learn. They can also take this opportunity to learn something new and expand their circle of friends.
Learning
During their lifetime, many older adults focused on raising children, building careers and creating fulfilling relationships. But as these responsibilities begin to fade away, it can be difficult for seniors to find a new sense of purpose. Those who are able to remain connected to a purposeful life can benefit from improved mental and physical health, increased longevity, and even lower rates of cognitive decline.
Keeping active and finding a purpose can be as simple as learning something new, such as pursuing an interest or exploring a hobby. For example, a senior who is interested in learning to play a musical instrument may be able to enroll in a music class at their local community center. In addition to being a fun, social activity, it can also help keep the mind sharp and improve memory.
Learning can also be accomplished by participating in community groups and volunteering, or through taking courses at local schools. The importance of these activities is that they engage the mind, increase the amount of physical activity undertaken and can be done by just about anyone, regardless of age or physical condition.
These aging adults are also less likely to develop symptoms such as mild cognitive impairment, heart attacks or strokes and are more resilient in the face of illness and injury. They can maintain higher walking speeds and strong hand grips, as reported by a study published in JAMA Psychiatry.
This positive aging trend can be attributed to the fact that a person’s sense of purpose can be boosted by factors such as physical health, attitude toward aging and existing family and social networks. Those who report a greater sense of purpose are more likely to feel satisfied with life and have fewer depressive symptoms (Koren & Lowenstein, 2008; Pinquart, 2002).
We all have a role to play in encouraging the societal participation of older adults. This includes businesses, communities, NGOs, governments and healthcare providers working together to bring about this change. By promoting innovative, age-friendly approaches to business, community, and education, we can ensure that a new generation of aging adults can continue to find meaning in their lives at every stage of life.