Children often lament they cannot wait to grow up and get out of school, but many older adults know one of the secrets to a happy life is to view learning as a lifelong venture. Roseville home care experts discuss 4 of the most important reasons why going back to school might be a healthy decision for your elderly loved one.
1. Stay Young at Heart
The image of a stodgy, cranky older adult doesn’t fit the mentality of many seniors today. At school, your loved one can mingle with people from a variety of different ages and backgrounds and enjoy learning to view the world from a different perspective. This flexible mindset can help your loved one find fresh inspiration and navigate through life’s challenges with a stronger mental attitude.
2. Activate the Body
Walking to class on a large college campus can be excellent exercise for seniors, and those who have limited mobility will find schools today are designed for greater accessibility. Seniors who attend school may also discover access to gyms and fitness programs is another perk that can give their physical health a boost while they take a break from the rigors of learning.
3. Engage the Brain
Going to school holds tremendous benefits for a senior’s cognitive skills. As your loved one ages, it is increasingly important to work on strengthening his or her reasoning, comprehension, and memory skills. Even taking one class a semester can provide enough brain exercise to help stave off age-related cognitive decline.
4. Enjoy Emotional Renewal
Many older adults reach their senior years and have difficulty finding a new identity after retirement. However, becoming a student can give your loved one an instant sense of purpose and revitalize his or her emotional wellbeing. Sharing knowledge with classmates, receiving positive feedback from teachers, and being an active member of a community are all ways to ensure your loved one continues to build self-confidence.
Even if your loved one doesn’t want to go back to school, there are other ways to receive similar physical, mental, and emotional benefits. At Home Care Assistance, our caregivers can assist with exercise and provide social stimulation, or your loved one can take advantage of our revolutionary Cognitive Therapeutics Method, an activities-based program designed to slow cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia. We are a leading provider of stroke, Parkinson’s, and dementia care in Roseville, and all of our care services are backed with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. For more information, call one of our knowledgeable Care Managers today at 916.472.0605.