What Makes a Healthy Senior?

by Mallory Durst, Certified Physician Assistant, The Hallmark

Staying well as we age isn’t something achieved by doing just one thing right. Just as we are individuals with many interests and sides to our personalities, staying healthy as seniors also takes a multi-faceted approach. We must care for the many sides of ourselves to be truly well. With so many resources, activities, and opportunities for self-exploration, doing that at The Hallmark isn’t as hard as you might think.

Healthy seniors can enjoy wellness in all of their many aspects of life. These include physical health – but also spiritual, emotional and mental, intellectual, social, occupational, financial, and environmental wellness. Ideally, we can strive to achieve wellness in all of these areas. Here are some ways to do exactly that:

· Physical – Eating right, exercising, getting enough sleep, and keeping up with doctor appointments and treatment programs

· Spiritual – Exploring your own purpose, value, meaning, and religion

· Emotional/Mental – Seeking to manage and understand your emotions, staying mentally active, and asking for help when you need it

· Intellectual – Expanding your knowledge and skills, reading, creating, and exploring interests

· Social – Developing and maintaining friendships, attending activities, and contributing to your community

· Occupational – Mentoring and contributing skills and talents to others and your community

· Financial – Managing your resources, having a plan, donating, budgeting, and setting goals

· Environmental – Appreciating your natural and social surroundings, organizing your space, and recycling and conserving

At The Hallmark, our residents have many opportunities to improve all areas of wellness, from physical activities and social events to learning opportunities and religious gatherings. Exercise classes, Bible studies, hobby clubs, gaming events, and more bring our residents together each and every day.

As you think about ways to increase your own wellness, consider putting it in writing with a care plan. Your care plan helps you identify your basic care needs and share your care preferences with others. In it, you can include your identifying information, health conditions, allergies, medication information, medical provider contact information, emergency and power of attorney contact information, and final directives. You can also create a list of The Hallmark’s activities and events designed to improve your overall wellness and match them to your individual interests. This can help you ensure you are caring for all facets of your own wellness. If you find in your plan that you are lacking support in any one area, you can be sure to find resources and activities to help.

We are more likely to stay well as we age when we have close and easy access to friends, activities, and support – like at The Hallmark! We encourage all of our residents to take advantage of the many physical, spiritual, mental, and intellectual enrichment opportunities we have to offer.

Mallory Durst is The Hallmark’s own Certified Physician Assistant. Providing adjunct care to current primary care physicians and specialists, she evaluates and treats acute ailments, such as colds and infections; uncontrolled conditions such as hypertension, congestive heart failure, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and diabetes; and pain, wounds, weakness, and more. Residents may schedule an appointment with Mallory on Tuesdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. by contacting at the Reception Tower Desk.