A Senior-Friendly Health Plan for Lolo and Lola

We feel a little tug in our heartstrings when we think about our grandparents. They are like our moms and dads, only more generous. They are like our parents, only better at spoiling us. As we grow up, they grow old—and we wish we could be there for them as much as they were for us.

In the Philippines, senior citizens constitute 7% of the entire population. By ratio, there is one elderly for every five children below 15 years old. That’s a lot of hands to take care of them.

If you are among the lucky ones who still have their grandparents, make sure you return the favor. Not because it is what is expected of you, or because it is your responsibility, but because it is the right thing to do and it is what they deserve. If they are living with you in the city, utilize all the benefits of condo living to make them comfortable and healthier.

Creating health plans for your grandparents is so much easier in condo communities because of the facilities there that you can already use. Keeping fit and healthy will be so easy and hassle-free that they won’t even feel like they are exerting effort to be healthier.

Getting older doesn’t mean a slew of medical conditions and poor state of health for our grandparents. Well, not if we help them commit to a senior-friendly health plan for lolo and lola and keep them motivated to carry on.

Spend time under the sun

Many seniors around the world suffer from boredom and loneliness. Let this not be the case for your dear grandparents. Allow them take in fresh air and feel natural sunshine on their faces.

According to Harvard Health Publications, spending time under the sun increases the levels of Vitamin D, or aptly called the “sunshine vitamin.” Vitamin D is known to fight off osteoporosis, cancer, and depression. It is also known to boost the immune system. Fresh air, on the other hand, improves blood pressure and heart rate, cleans the lungs, and help you keep a sharper mind.

Living in a condo does not restrict seniors from getting these benefits. There are controlled open spaces where they can roam around. Even just sipping their morning coffee on the balcony or opening up the shades can mean a lot to their health.

Go out more

Apart from natural sunlight and fresh air, research by the University of Minnesota reveals that everyday access to nature improves quality of life for seniors. It found that natural environments, usually demonstrated by blue and green spaces, can promote feelings of renewal, restoration, and spiritual connectedness. They also provide venues for social interactions. Just the sound of water or humming of birds can make seniors feel better.

Apart from natural sunlight and fresh air, research by the University of Minnesota reveals that everyday access to nature improves quality of life for seniors. It found that natural environments, usually demonstrated by blue and green spaces, can promote feelings of renewal, restoration, and spiritual connectedness. They also provide venues for social interactions. Just the sound of water or humming of birds can make seniors feel better.

Living in the city does not mean you don’t get a feel of the great outdoors anymore. Condo developers now plan communities to have a bigger open space than actual usable floor space. In DMCI communities, there are landscaped gardens everywhere, swimming pools with water features, koi pond, and picnic grounds. There are also sky patios within the buildings. These green and blue spaces encourage elders to walk outside more and make them feel more alive.
Living in the city does not mean you don’t get a feel of the great outdoors anymore. Condo developers now plan communities to have a bigger open space than actual usable floor space. In DMCI communities, there are landscaped gardens everywhere, swimming pools with water features, koi pond, and picnic grounds. There are also sky patios within the buildings. These green and blue spaces encourage elders to walk outside more and make them feel more alive.

Splash for better health

Swimming just may be the best exercise for seniors, according to a research in Australia. That is, if your grandparents are prone to falls. The study found that elders who swim are 33% less likely to fall, which is among the leading causes of injuries for elders. Swimming was more effective in this regard compared to treadmills or stationary bikes. This is partly because swimmers are required to create their own base of support and produce coordinated movement of both upper and lower extremities when in the water.

Apart from this, swimming is also an ideal workout because it presents less risk for injury compared to other exercise routines. It is fun and low-impact, but yields tremendous results. Swimming is known to improve heart health, improve muscle strength, prevents osteoporosis, and increases flexibility.

Walk it out, sweat it out

Seniors should be encouraged to walk more. Condo spaces are designed in such a way to encourage this and other physical activities. There are walking, jogging, and biking paths to make it easy and safe for elders to go for a regular morning walk and avoid a sedentary lifestyle.

Walking for at least 15 minutes daily has numerous heart health benefits. It helps control blood sugar and makes insulin work better too. Walking is a low-impact exercise with great rewards from physical benefits to boosting mental health. You can also walk in groups while chatting away to promote social engagement.

Condos also have indoor gym facilities with low-impact exercise machines for seniors such as stationary bikes.

Play is also for elders

Condo living in the Philippines promotes close family ties and bonding. This is why there are a lot of common amenities designed for families such as the swimming pool, picnic grounds, and the playground.

If you are a couple living with parents, chances are that you often leave your children with them when you go to work or run errands. Do you know that this is good for them? Babysitting was found to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s for seniors. It is believed that regular social interaction have a positive effect for the elderly’s mental health. A study by Boston College researchers also found that emotional ties between grandparents and grandchildren reduce depressive symptoms for both groups.

This is where having a playground where kids can play in a controlled environment is important—not only to kids, but also to seniors who play with them and watch over them.

Keep them busy and creative

Seniors or grandparents are not just supposed to wait for you to come home. Keep them busy with things to do to keep their minds active and creative.

Explore bedroom designs that motivate them to think and be creative. For example, install a shelf of books in their bedroom or a pile of coloring books. Incorporate a work area in your condo design where they can write, draw, stitch, or do whatever it is they want to do with their hands such as sculpting, playing an instrument, or making crafts.

Let them cook (healthy)

The more elders age, the more they want to do things for their families. They love to cook for their children and grandchildren, for example.

For seniors to stay healthy, encourage them to cook healthy. Go for a fiber-rich, low cholesterol, and low-fat diet. Condos are very near markets and grocery stores where they can shop fresh produce. They get to eat healthy and do some sort of exercise by walking around—that’s hitting two birds with one stone! As a gift to elders, you may also start a tiny herb garden in the kitchen for fresh picks and more flavor. An indoor garden is a great addition to your condo interior design.

Some fear getting old, but when your needs are taken care of and you have a great support system, what’s there to fear? Make condo living the ideal living space for our dear seniors by maximizing what it has to offer.