Healthy aging is about prioritizing health and wellness, so you’re able to stay active and independent for as long as possible. However, while maintaining age-related health conditions is vital for improving quality of life, it can seem almost impossible to keep up with health concerns and stay proactive against any form of health decline. 

While physical activity, healthy eating, and regular visits to the doctor are sure ways to maintain your wellness, you might have found yourself wondering if there’s an easier way.

Using technology for health and wellness is simple, convenient, and (most importantly) enjoyable. Technology covers many aspects of wellness, and it’s been reported that older adults generate over 7 trillion dollars of economic activity. It’s no wonder there are so many available gadgets and apps to keep seniors healthy! 

Our motto at HarborChase is simple – Celebrate Senior Living. Our luxury senior living communities provide the tools, encouragement, amenities, and activities individuals need to prioritize wellness and lead active lifestyles. We’re sharing our tips for using technology to keep your health and wellness in check. 

Stay Active & Track Your Progress

Exercise is vital for healthy living, no matter your age or lifestyle. To this end, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that adults over the age of 65 complete at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week. Fortunately, there are many varying options for staying active. Whether you enjoy yoga classes with your friends or take a daily walk around the block, keeping your body moving is rewarding and fun. But how can you keep track of the amount of activity you get each week?

Technology can help you keep track of your fitness levels, set goals for your activity levels, and even discover new ways to get moving! If you want to regulate health conditions through exercise, smartwatches like the Fitbit and Apple Watch come with plenty of services that allow you to: 

• Count the number of steps you take each day
• Monitor stress management, sleep, and mindfulness
• Log food and water intake to get a better picture of your nutrition habits
• Track heart health through metrics that measure your breathing rate, heart rate variability, and resting heart rate

Smartwatches aren’t the only way to keep yourself moving. For example, if you use streaming devices that connect to your television, there are also outlets to discover fitness options. YouTube, which is offered on many streaming devices as a downloadable app, is a great platform for free workout channels that share exercises and routines that you can safely do at home. 

Combat Loneliness & Increase Connectivity

Mental health is equally as crucial as physical health, and seniors are at a statistically higher risk for conditions like depression, isolation, and anxiety due to reasons that relate to their age group. For instance, older adults are more likely to live alone or at a distance from loved ones, experience grief, or face health problems that limit socialization opportunities. 

Studies have shown that socially isolated seniors are more likely to struggle with mental health issues and experience chronic health conditions. Fortunately, technology can help older adults stay in touch with family and friends, which is especially important for those who live at a distance from them. 

Promote Home Safety

In addition, older adults can utilize technology to stay safe and enjoy peace of mind at home. Monitoring systems come in many different forms. For instance, electronic doorbell systems with cameras and smartphone apps allow you to keep track of people who come by your home and can be programmed to send you a text message or notification whenever there is activity in front of your house.

Medical alert systems can also provide peace of mind should an accident or emergency occur – especially if a person lives alone. In this instance, wearable technology can immediately notify emergency responders. 

Technology trends have come so far, and they continue to progress and add convenience and ease to our lives. We encourage you to use technology for health and wellness and start prioritizing healthy aging. 

At HarborChase Senior Living, our luxury senior living communities always look for new and innovative ways to integrate technology into our residents’ lives. We invite you to find a HarborChase community near you and learn more!