We tend to think of improving seniors’ wellbeing in terms of longevity, but the truth is that quality of life matters just as much as quantity. In fact, the two are deeply linked: Seniors who stay engaged and keep having fun also tend to live longer—and they certainly enjoy themselves a lot more.
It can be hard for them to do that in practice, but fortunately, West Hollywood is full of resources for aging well. Here are some of our favorites:
Healthy Aging for Seniors in West Hollywood, CA
Seniors in West Hollywood are in luck: Our area is absolutely full of resources for aging well. From quality shoes and exercise classes to reduce their fall risk to organizations that help them find both meaningful connection and emotional support, here are some of their best options.
- Keep it Balanced
Few things impact daily quality of life like confidence and a positive outlook—and for older adults, few things can impact confidence like the risk of falling. Especially for seniors who’ve fallen before, fear of falling can make it hard
Here’s the good news: It’s possible to improve our balance with certain kinds of training and exercise, just like strengthening a muscle…and the City of Beverly Hills offers plenty of exercise classes designed to help. They coordinate activities like chair yoga, dances and even lawn bowling, all of which go a long way toward improving seniors’ stability and body awareness. And because these classes also happen to be fun social occasions, it’ll be easy for your loved one to motivate themselves to come back.
- Help Them Find Their Footing
Shoes may be the single most important piece of clothing for seniors. If you’ve ever tried doing yard work in dress shoes or gone dancing in flip flops, you know just how much our choice of footwear defines how we move around in the world.
That difference is even more profound for seniors. Not having the right kind of shoes for an occasion might be inconvenient for younger people, but it can make it nearly impossible for older adults to even leave the house. On the other hand, a good pair of shoes can improve seniors’ balance and stability, helping them get around with a confident, sure step.
If a senior if your life needs footwear, your best bet is a shoe store that serves doctors, nurses and service professionals such as Elan Shoes. These stores offer shoes that are practical and comfortable enough to wear all day, but stylish enough that fashion-conscious seniors will actually put them on. They also tend to have a wide range of styles, many of which are slip-resistant.
Resist the urge to save time by shopping for shoes online. Sizing and shoe shape varies from brand to brand and style to style, so the only sure way to know you’re getting something your loved one can wear is to make sure they try it on in-store.
- Talk it Over…Or Cut Loose
Arch support is just one of the types of support older adults need to keep flourishing into old age. As much as we like to think of ourselves as proud and independent, the truth is that we all need other people. Sometimes we need a shoulder to lean on or a sympathetic ear; other times we just need friends to relax and have fun with.
Seniors are no different, but due to the barriers they face, they often struggle to get the social time and emotional support they need to thrive. That’s why both social services and community centers are such important resources. Here in West Hollywood, we’re lucky enough to have both rolled into one in the form of the LA LGBT Center. The Center offers a variety of counseling services for seniors, including group therapy focused on a wide variety of issues, like older adults living with HIV, cancer and grief. They also offer nutritional services like pantry pickup to ensure your loved one gets the food they need.
It’s not all serious, though. The Center also offers a wide range of fun social events like field trips, dances and art classes. Some of their offerings are meant specifically for seniors, while others are designed to help older adults connect with and befriend people from younger generations. Our favorite is their fabulous and heartwarming Senior Prom, which invites older adults to revisit a key milestone of youth that they may not have been able to enjoy back in the day.
Caregivers are Resources for Aging Well in West Hollywood
Quality of life is just as important as quantity, but thanks to many resources in the area, seniors in West Hollywood don’t want for either. From footwear and exercise classes that improve stability to social events and counseling services, there are plenty of resources for aging well right in your backyard.
If a senior in your life needs a little more direct assistance, FirstLight Home Care of West Hollywood is here to help. Our compassionate caregivers can offer gentle, warm companionship to make every day better, as well as practical help with everyday tasks like bathing, dressing and cooking.
To learn more about how we can help your loved one, contact us today.
