Orange County Senior Home Care Experts Share Secrets to Happiness Despite Pain or Chronic Illness

Have you ever woken up and said, “It’s likely to be one of those days!” Perhaps your alarm didn’t go off, the hot water heater decided to quit working, and the dog chewed up one of your most loved shoes overnight. Then imagine if every day were “one of those days!” For a person coping with a chronic disease (and that’s the majority of the senior population), day-to-day struggles and challenges are often a given.

Our Orange County senior home care experts share some steps that the elderly can take to find and maintain a life of joy, even in the face of chronic illness. For instance:

• Pursue passions. Finding purpose and meaning in each and every day is extremely important – and possible. Many seniors discover satisfaction in assisting and supporting other people. Others thrive on being life-long learners. For some people it can mean recording earlier times for the next generation. Brainstorm ideas until you come upon one that ignites passion, and then make it a real possibility.
• Practice positivity. One easy way to realize an even more positive outlook on life is through journaling. Encourage your elderly loved ones to start each day by developing a list of everything they’re grateful for that morning, along with the seemingly mundane: the smell of fresh coffee brewing, a pet curled up in a sunbeam, a scheduled lunch date with a friend. At the conclusion of every week, sit together and read back through the prior entries for a quick and practical pick-me-up.
• Refrain from negativity. Adding in a measure of positivity as outlined above can naturally result in decreased negativity, but there are further steps that can be followed as well. For example, allow for breaks from activities that induce aggravation, allowing needed time to de-stress. Place the focus on tackling tasks that may be executed successfully, and discover an alternative solution for those that are too challenging, such as delegating those tasks to another family member or friend, or employing the services of an expert.
• Get away from the house. Sustaining as active a lifestyle as possible outside the home can be so exhilarating for older adults. Help your elder loved ones go out for hair appointments, shopping adventures, visits with relatives, and other fun outings, as much as they are comfortable. Even simply stepping outside and relaxing on the front porch when weather permits can significantly elevate someone’s spirits and outlook.

At CareWorks Health Services, it is our objective to help older adults attain the highest possible quality of life at all times. Our experts in senior care in Orange County are thoroughly trained and knowledgeable in providing pleasant companionship, stimulating activities, transportation, and more. Contact us online or give us a call us at (949) 859-4700 and see the difference our in-home care services can make for your senior loved one!