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How would you rate your quality of life? On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being low and 5 being high, what number would you assign to the quality of life you’re living today?

The World Health Organization defines quality of life as how a person lives their life “in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns.” Quality of life is so important, there’s actually a month dedicated to it. January is International Quality of Life Month, which sounds like a great way to start a new year.

At Right at Home, quality of life is so important to us, we’ve made it our mission: “To improve the quality of life for those we serve.”

But how can you improve your quality of life? Here are three lifestyle factors that might help.

Independence
At Right at Home, our business is helping people who want to stay independent as they age. And with good reason—people who feel they have autonomy and control over their life live longer. “If I … can take care of myself, then I shall be satisfied,” said one older adult in a survey by Uppsala University in Sweden. “It’s important not to have to trouble others, and to be able to carry out the duties I can.”

Staying independent: Staying independent while aging—or, put another way, not feeling like a burden to others—is closely dependent on health. Eat a healthy diet, get regular exercise, don’t smoke, and drink only in moderation. Get an annual physical exam and all the recommended screenings, and keep your vaccinations up to date. See a dentist regularly, and take care of your mental health. Consider making in-home adaptations that can prevent falls and help your mobility as you age, such as grab bars in the bathroom and improved lighting.

Satisfying Relationships
“Dozens of studies have shown that people who have satisfying relationships with family, friends, and their community are happier, have fewer health problems, and live longer,” according to an article from Harvard Health Publishing. “One study … found that lack of strong relationships increased the risk of premature death from all causes by 50%—an effect on mortality risk roughly comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, and greater than obesity and physical inactivity.”

Building and preserving relationships: This is sometimes easier for extroverts and for people with large families or longtime friends. If that doesn’t describe you, find comfortable ways to connect with like-minded people. That might be talking to a neighbor, going to the local senior center, or doing volunteer work. Volunteer work, in fact, has been shown to create a sense of purpose, which many people also equate with quality of life. Find easy ways to stay in touch with friends and family—with letters, calls, emails or whatever works best for you.

Having a Positive Mindset
Attitude and resilience have both been shown to affect physical and mental health. “Studies have shown an indisputable link between having a positive outlook and health benefits like lower blood pressure, less heart disease, better weight control and healthier blood sugar levels,” notes health columnist Jane Brody of the New York Times. Resilience is our ability to cope with and bounce back from adversity and, like a positive attitude, it can be learned and improved.

Learning how to cope: Most older adults have experienced what some might consider the “mixed blessing” of many ups and downs in life. How does one gain such a balanced attitude about coping with whatever challenges life brings? “Like building a muscle, increasing your resilience takes time and intentionality,” says the American Psychological Association. “Focusing on four core components—connection, wellness, healthy thinking, and meaning—can empower you to withstand and learn from difficult and traumatic experiences.” It’s no coincidence that those four components themselves are common factors in quality of life. Dipping a toe into the pond can have many positive ripple effects.

Quality of Life Can Improve Longevity

What does quality of life mean to you? What are the things that bring personal meaning to your life? It’s good to think about these questions, because improving your quality of life could improve your longevity. Yes, research has shown that a person who feels they have a good quality of life might live longer than someone who doesn’t. Why not give it some thought today?

Binte Jannat provides in-home care to seniors and adults with disabilities. Our screened and trained professional caregivers can provide services that help improve quality of life, from nutritious meal preparation and light housekeeping to help with hygiene and dressing.

How would you rate your quality of life? On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being low and 5 being high, what number would you assign to the quality of life you’re living today?

The World Health Organization defines quality of life as how a person lives their life “in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns.” Quality of life is so important, there’s actually a month dedicated to it. January is International Quality of Life Month, which sounds like a great way to start a new year.

At Right at Home, quality of life is so important to us, we’ve made it our mission: “To improve the quality of life for those we serve.”

But how can you improve your quality of life? Here are three lifestyle factors that might help.

Independence
At Right at Home, our business is helping people who want to stay independent as they age. And with good reason—people who feel they have autonomy and control over their life live longer. “If I … can take care of myself, then I shall be satisfied,” said one older adult in a survey by Uppsala University in Sweden. “It’s important not to have to trouble others, and to be able to carry out the duties I can.”

Staying independent: Staying independent while aging—or, put another way, not feeling like a burden to others—is closely dependent on health. Eat a healthy diet, get regular exercise, don’t smoke, and drink only in moderation. Get an annual physical exam and all the recommended screenings, and keep your vaccinations up to date. See a dentist regularly, and take care of your mental health. Consider making in-home adaptations that can prevent falls and help your mobility as you age, such as grab bars in the bathroom and improved lighting.

Satisfying Relationships
“Dozens of studies have shown that people who have satisfying relationships with family, friends, and their community are happier, have fewer health problems, and live longer,” according to an article from Harvard Health Publishing. “One study … found that lack of strong relationships increased the risk of premature death from all causes by 50%—an effect on mortality risk roughly comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, and greater than obesity and physical inactivity.”

Building and preserving relationships: This is sometimes easier for extroverts and for people with large families or longtime friends. If that doesn’t describe you, find comfortable ways to connect with like-minded people. That might be talking to a neighbor, going to the local senior center, or doing volunteer work. Volunteer work, in fact, has been shown to create a sense of purpose, which many people also equate with quality of life. Find easy ways to stay in touch with friends and family—with letters, calls, emails or whatever works best for you.

Having a Positive Mindset
Attitude and resilience have both been shown to affect physical and mental health. “Studies have shown an indisputable link between having a positive outlook and health benefits like lower blood pressure, less heart disease, better weight control and healthier blood sugar levels,” notes health columnist Jane Brody of the New York Times. Resilience is our ability to cope with and bounce back from adversity and, like a positive attitude, it can be learned and improved.

Learning how to cope: Most older adults have experienced what some might consider the “mixed blessing” of many ups and downs in life. How does one gain such a balanced attitude about coping with whatever challenges life brings? “Like building a muscle, increasing your resilience takes time and intentionality,” says the American Psychological Association. “Focusing on four core components—connection, wellness, healthy thinking, and meaning—can empower you to withstand and learn from difficult and traumatic experiences.” It’s no coincidence that those four components themselves are common factors in quality of life. Dipping a toe into the pond can have many positive ripple effects.

Quality of Life Can Improve Longevity

What does the quality of life mean to you? What are the things that bring personal meaning to your life? It’s good to think about these questions because improving your quality of life could improve your longevity. Yes, research has shown that a person who feels they have a good quality of life might live longer than someone who doesn’t. Why not give it some thought today?

Binte Jannat provides in-home care to seniors and adults with disabilities. Our screened and trained professional caregivers can provide services that help improve quality of life, from nutritious meal preparation and light housekeeping to help with hygiene and dressing.

Most of us have felt the sting of loneliness at some point in our lives. It’s a normal part of life, along with all the times we may have wished for the opposite—just a few minutes of peace and quiet! But ending-social-isolation-in-seniors can actually lead to physical and mental health problems as you age.

“Social isolation is a serious yet under-recognized public health problem that is often associated with old age,” said Jianfeng Feng of Fudan University in China, in an article published by the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation in New York City. Dr. Feng’s team studied more than 460,000 adults in the U.K., aged 57 and older, for 12 years. “Given the findings of this study,” she said, “social isolation may be an early indicator of an increased risk of dementia.” Other studies in other countries have come to the same conclusion.

But the effects of loneliness on aging don’t stop there. “There is robust evidence that social isolation and loneliness significantly increase risk for premature mortality, and the magnitude of the risk exceeds that of many leading health indicators,” said Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Ph.D., a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University, in an article published by the American Psychological Association. In fact, notes the article, social isolation can cause as much harm as “smoking 15 cigarettes a day or having alcohol use disorder.”

Are you an older adult and need some ideas for banishing loneliness? You’ve probably heard many of the typical suggestions for coping with loneliness, like volunteering, visiting the local senior center, and going to an exercise class. With a little imagination, and by focusing on your interests, you can increase the fun factor. Here are a few suggestions for staying connected with other people that you may not have considered.

Join or Start a Reading Group
Whether you’re a seeker of science fiction, a lover of poetry, or a nonfiction fan, you’re likely to find people who have the same interest. Check with your local library or bookstore, which often host reading groups. If you don’t find one, why not ask for their help starting one? They’ll get more readers or buyers, and you’ll gain a new way to connect with others. Here’s how it works: Members of the group read the same book, then gather (in person or online) to discuss it and give their insight on the characters and plot. Reading groups often meet monthly to chat about the latest book the group has read, but they could meet on any schedule. For a twist, consider hosting a “silent reading” group, where people read their own book in the same place. A silent reading party has been going strong in the lounge of a Seattle hotel since 2009!

Host a Game Day
Lots of families and young adults enjoy “game nights,” but there’s no reason to restrict the fun to the evening hours. Plenty of people are at their sharpest earlier in the day. Especially if the games you want to play involve logic or strategy, your group may appreciate this tweak in the usual timing. Offer tea and coffee, and ask guests to bring a snack to share. Depending on how many people you invite, you can have more than one game going. Think cards, board games, or even jigsaw puzzles.

Join a Pen Pal Organization
You may already enjoy exchanging emails or handwritten letters with friends, children or grandchildren. Why not extend your reach? Start locally—perhaps residents of a local senior living community or nursing home would enjoy exchanging letters. If you’d rather connect with someone nationally or internationally, there are numerous safe, well-run companies that have been around for years. These sites offer privacy and security measures and may suggest you get a P.O. Box if you prefer not to share your home address. Look for Worldwide Snail Mail Pen Pals on Facebook, or search for the websites of PenPal World, PostCrossing (postcards only), and the International Geek Girl Pen Pals Club (where you need not be a geek or a girl).

Start a Baking Group
Who says cookie exchanges are only for Christmas? The joy of baking and sharing goodies is seasonless, and grandkids aren’t the only ones who enjoy a good treat. If you know a few other people who enjoy baking, why not have a monthly exchange? It can be fun to share favorite family recipes and even try new things (and maybe have a chuckle!) with a forgiving group of co-bakers. Try taking inspiration from birthdays, holidays, the seasons, or local events. You could even share your cookies, pies and other treats with the local firefighters, police department or mail carriers.

When You Enjoy It, You’ll Stick With It
The more you enjoy what you’re doing, the more likely you’ll stick with it. Your new activity or hobby may even lead to other ways to connect with people. And remember, your Right at Home professional caregiver can help with mobility issues so you can gather with your new friends. The caregiver also would be happy to visit for a social call or activity. Let us help you tackle loneliness.

A final note: If you are experiencing loneliness or isolation, you may be at risk for depression or other health problems. It’s important to talk to your health care provider for further assistance.