According to 2015 Census Bureau figures, there were 53,364 seniors living in the United States who were aged 100 or older. Researchers spent decades trying to uncover the secrets to long life. Some of the oldest people on the planet live in what’s known as the Blue Zone. These locations include Costa Rica, the Greek island of Ikaria, the Japanese island of Okinawa, the Italian island of Sardinia, and Loma Linda, California. Scientists were also amazed to discover many of these centenarians continued bike riding, socializing, working, and having intimate relationships. In all the years of study, researchers found some common denominators, and here are a few tips related to these findings.
1. Stay Socially Active
Researchers from Brigham Young University evaluated nearly 150 studies concerning social relationships. The group learned that seniors with strong family and friend connections were less prone to premature death compared to adults who had no social links.
For families living in Amarillo, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Heroes Home Care, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
2. Eat Healthily
The healthiest centenarians prefer diets consisting largely of fruits and vegetables. Their diets also consist of more fish and poultry than red meat. A study performed by the University of Southern California’s Longevity Institute found proteins obtained from animal sources trigger two sets of genes that hasten the aging process. Eating healthier also makes maintaining an ideal weight easier.
3. Maintain a Sense a Purpose
Blue Zone residents have careers, hobbies, and passions that give their lives meaning. For many seniors, it may be volunteering their time to help others. Having a purpose gives seniors a reason to wake up and get out of bed in the morning, and having a reason to live seems to buffer older adults from mortality.
4. Engage in Regular Physical Activity
Physical strength also plays a role in lifelong endurance. Many older adults enjoy a wide range of physical activities. Some enjoy daily workouts, others walk, and many participate or compete in sporting events.
Seniors who need help exercising can benefit from professional home care. At-home care professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers.
5. Exercise the Brain
Many seniors taking part in the Blue Zone study demonstrated good cognitive health. Participating in activities, playing games, or completing puzzles that require memory, reasoning, and other mental processes proved beneficial. Cognitive clarity can also be attributed to diet, exercise, and not smoking.
Hiring a professional caregiver is one of the best ways to ensure your loved one makes healthy lifestyle choices. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Heroes Home Care, a leading provider of homecare services. Amarillo Heroes Home Care provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives. Call one of our compassionate Care Managers today at (806) 803-9991 to schedule a free in-home consultation.