Lifestyle and living for seniors: Stay warm and healthy this winter | The examiner

If you haven’t prepared for winter yet, now is the time. While we may not collect nuts or make a den to hibernate in like some animals in the animal kingdom, or chop firewood like some people expect to spend months under the snow, there are some things you can do to stay warm and healthy. to stay. both physically and mentally.

The Australian Government’s Department of Health and Aged Care notes that the annual flu vaccine is free through the National Immunization Program for all adults aged 65 and over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults, and people with specific medical conditions.

It’s also cheap and important to everyone else. Timing is also important. Bupa Health Services medical director Dr Tony MacDermott said the flu season has arrived earlier in recent years. “We expect the peak to occur sometime in June, compared to August when the season peaked in recent years,” said Dr MacDermott.

When booking yours, keep in mind that there are different flu shots for different age categories: six months to under five years, five years to under 65, and 65 and over.

The most efficient way to stay warm is directly on the body. For example, an electric blanket (to warm the bed initially), good clothing (including a nightcap or hat) and good covers are much cheaper than room heaters.

Now you can’t stay in bed all day, but most people can go to bed earlier and make the most of the daylight hours. You can then aim to spend more time in a sunlit part of the house, but you can also go outside as often as the weather permits.

Another trick is to shower or bathe at a time when the bathroom does not need as much or no heating at all.

Physical activity also helps keep your body warm. It doesn’t have to be strenuous; any movement is better than sitting still.

Research led by Australia’s Monash University has found that living in areas with shorter distances to green space (and with lower crime rates where people feel safer going outside) is associated with fewer modifiable risk factors for dementia.

“Living near green space can encourage or allow people to exercise more – for example walking or running – and also socialize – for example talking to locals in a park,” Associate Professor Matthew Pase, senior author of the paper that has been published on this subject, said. “It can also limit environmental stressors such as air pollution and noise.”

Remembering to be physically and socially active will also be good for your mental and physical health in the short term.

Another way to socialize is to join a local group or club that interests you. Volunteering or otherwise being involved means you’re in regular contact with other local people who are kind enough to donate their time, or have the same interests as you, or both. You can also look into other community organizations that encourage your attendance or participation.

Monash University is currently leading a research project to assess and address social isolation and loneliness among older Australians.

“We know that socializing benefits our health, well-being and quality of life,” says technology and aging sociologist Dr. Barbara Barbosa Neves.

Announcing the project, the university also said that while face-to-face interaction is important, we should not underestimate the significance of a phone call, online chatting or even the old-fashioned way of writing letters.

Don’t hesitate to contact a consultancy firm. They can be very helpful when something is letting you down.