Protective Factors That Can Promote Senior Well-Being

According to stats from the US government census, there is a gray wave upon us because the baby boomer generation will start entering their senior years in 2030.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by 2030, all baby boomers will be age 65 or older, accelerating the nation's shift toward an older population.

This grey wave will significantly shift the age demographics here in Marysville, CA, making it more critical to safeguard the senior population.

Interested in learning more about the protective factors approach? Read on to learn more about this essential senior wellness topic and healthy aging strategies.

What are Protective Factors?

So, what exactly is the Protective Factors Approach?
Think of these as the conditions and behaviors that act as a shield to protect seniors from potential risks. These risks might include things like physical harm, social isolation, or challenges to senior mental health.

The Protective Factors Approach recognizes the multifaceted nature of effective senior well-being.
It generally includes a varied constellation of different tricks, techniques, and perspectives.

Here are some of the major protective factors that seniors need to pay attention to if they want to live the best possible lifestyle.

They should stay physically active by getting regular exercise and movement. They should have meaningful relationships and senior social connections through social interactions.

Mental stimulation: Engage in plenty of activities and opportunities for mental stimulation to challenge the brain.
Balanced diet: Eat a balanced diet, avoiding malnutrition.
Coping skills and emotional well-being: Coping skills rooted in optimism or spirituality can support emotional well-being for seniors.
Sense of purpose: Seniors also need to have a sense of purpose, which can be difficult in retirement.

Why protective factors matter

These factors are considered protective because they mitigate against common problems people face in later life. Physical activity prevents muscle loss, which can prevent weak legs that tend to cause seniors to experience painful falls.

According to the Administration for Community Living, many older adults who fall or fear falling lose confidence and reduce their activity and social engagement, highlighting how effective fall prevention can help maintain social connections.

As you can see, there's a lot of interplay between these elements. The protective approach recognizes that health benefits are interconnected. Enhancing well-being in one area of life has a ripple effect in enhancing other areas as well.

The approach encourages us to turn away from purely medical or problem-focused views of aging. These approaches tend to neglect important aspects of well-being.

For example, when senior difficulties are excessively medicalized, seniors, their caregivers, and loved ones can sometimes lose sight of the importance of having a sense of purpose.

According to JAMA Network Open, a stronger sense of purpose in life is linked to a lower risk of death in U.S. adults, suggesting purpose relates to better health outcomes.

Physical activity and brain health

Here is a closer look at some of the most significant protective factors.

First, there is the need for physical activity. It is fairly obvious why this is needed for seniors. It helps with balance and muscle strength, which are key to preventing falls and injuries. Likewise, it also improves cardiovascular health, which can help fight chronic illnesses.

This is an area where we see the interconnectedness of protective factors, as there is clear evidence that physical activity benefits the mind.

For example, studies indicate that exercising can improve mood, boost cognitive function, and make people feel less anxious and depressed. The great news for seniors is that even moderate activities, such as walking, are enough to unlock these useful health benefits.

Mental Engagement

Mental engagement is also a key part of senior wellness. Think of things like reading a novel, solving a puzzle, or learning new skills. All of these activities keep the brain active and slow the rate of cognitive decline.

Having hobbies is also a fantastic way to find purpose in life. Many seniors struggle with retirement because their lives start lacking a sense of achievement. The solution is to find a new hobby or pursuit to fill the unprecedented leisure time granted by retirement.

Preventive care and vaccinations

There is also the preventive healthcare approach, which can help catch senior health issues early on, such as:

High blood pressure
Diabetes
Or even cancer

When we find these conditions sooner, it makes them much more treatable.

Despite the clear importance of the preventive healthcare approach, the CDC states that only around 7% of older adults ever access all the available preventive services.

One of the most useful preventive services is the senior vaccine program. By staying up to date on vaccinations, seniors can protect themselves from potentially fatal illnesses such as the flu or COVID-19.

If you are in doubt about your vaccination status, you should consult your usual doctor.

Combating Loneliness and Building Connection

Seniors should also make new social connections, as loneliness is a serious problem for older adults.

A common situation is when seniors work the same job for decades, and a large proportion of their social interactions throughout the week happen in or around the workplace. Think of people working in customer or client-focused jobs.

In some industries, making small talk is practically part of the job description. When someone in such a social role retires, they find that the opportunities for meaningful interactions are significantly reduced. The resulting loneliness is about more than just feeling bad; it could potentially cause worse health care outcomes as well.

Picking up a new hobby or joining a new social group is the perfect way for seniors struggling with loneliness in retirement to make new connections and get that all-important social interaction fix.

Senior Safety Tips

Senior living communities take all these protective factors into account by creating a supportive, warm environment. There are always activities, events, and services to help seniors nourish their mind, body, and soul.

Here at Marbella Marysville, we are committed to boosting senior well-being through our Supportive Assisted Living Program and Vibrant Life activities and Events.

If you're interested in seeing how we weave protective factors into the social fabric of our community-driven senior accommodations, it is best to come and see the community for yourself.