Is Happiness Still Possible with Pain or Chronic Illness?

Have you ever gotten out of bed and figured, “It’s likely to be one of those days!” Maybe your alarm didn’t go off, the hot water heater chose to quit working, and the dog chewed up one of your favorite shoes overnight. Then imagine if every single day were “one of those days!” For a person living with a chronic disease (and that is the majority of the senior population), daily struggles and challenges can be a given.

However, there are numerous steps that the elderly could take to realize and maintain a life of joy with pain or chronic illness. For instance:

• Follow passions. Finding purpose and meaning in every day is essential – and attainable. Many older adults uncover happiness in assisting and supporting other people. Others thrive on being lifelong learners. For others, it could mean recording earlier times for the following generation. Brainstorm ideas until you come upon one that sparks passion, and then make it a real possibility.
• Practice positivity. One great way to quickly attain a more positive take on life is through journaling. Encourage your senior loved ones to start each day by developing a summary of everything they are grateful for that morning, including the relatively mundane: the smell of fresh coffee brewing, a dog curled up in a sunbeam, an upcoming lunch date with a relative. At the end of every week, sit together and read back through the previous entries for a quick and reliable pick-me-up.
• Steer clear of negativity. Including a measure of positivity as discussed above can naturally bring about decreased negativity, but there are additional measures that can be undertaken as well. For instance, permit breaks from activities that create irritation, permitting needed time to de-stress. Put the focus on taking on tasks which can be carried out successfully, and discover an alternate solution for those that are too challenging, such as assigning those tasks to another member of the family or friend, or employing the services of a specialist.
• Leave the house. Keeping as active a lifestyle as possible outside the home is often so energizing for older adults. Help your senior loved ones go out for hair appointments, shopping excursions, visits with friends, and other fun outings, as much as they are comfortable. Even simply going outside and relaxing on the front porch when weather allows can significantly elevate someone’s spirits and outlook.

At Home Sweet Home In-Home Care, providers of elder care Kalamazoo and the surrounding area trusts, it is our aim to help older adults achieve the highest possible quality of life without exception. Our thoroughly trained and experienced caregivers provide pleasant companionship, interesting activities, transportation, and much more. Contact us online or give us a call at 269-373-5444 in Kalamazoo, (269) 849-9252 in St. Joseph, 269-763-5350 in Paw Paw, or 269-963-9888 in Battle Creek and discover the difference our in-home care services can make for your loved one!