What Makes Older People Happy

Naturally, every older person would enjoy good health, the ability to get around and to be in a high income bracket. This would enable them to enjoy a lot of things. They do also enjoy living in a good neighbourhood with family or social support. A certain amount of independence is certainly high on the list. If an older person is still able to drive a car, or at least have some form of transport , it enables them to feel that they are self sufficient and not having to rely on others for every little whim.

If they cannot drive or do not have their own transport, to have an arrangement in place whereby they are collected on certain days to do their own shopping or go to a show, would make a big difference in their lives so that they are not having to ask a family member or a friend each time.

If it is possible, depending on the health of an elder, going for a walk is very beneficial to keep the joints and muscles mobile, and the mind alert. Exercise of any form, provided that it is not too strenuous, is stimulating, relieves stress and gives a feeling of well being. An elder enjoys the company of others during a time of exercise or at any other time socially. Loneliness can often cause depression.

Having social support from family and friends means a lot to an elder, the feeling that they do belong, and making new friends is difficult enough when one is young, but it is even more difficult when you are a senior citizen and having to live alone.

Very often all an elderly is looking for is someone to lend an ear, especially as and when they are probably not quite as active as they`d like to be. One can read books, watch TV, or be creative in other ways, but interaction with others is critical for an older person, finding that many younger people are inclined to be so busy that they don`t have the patience or the time to just have some conversation with an elder, and maybe hear the stories that have been told before. If one could just stop and ponder over what it would mean to an elder to have half an hour of quality time in a day to tell those stories or to say what is on their mind.

Of course nutrition is an important factor, a well nourished person is generally happy, and it is important to ensure that the elderly don`t neglect themselves when it comes to eating, especially those who are living on their own, when it would seem to be too much trouble to prepare good nutritious meals.