5 Things People in Their 70s Should Do Every Day (2024)

By the time adults get into their 70s, overall health and wellbeing can vary. Some individuals within this age group are completely healthy, others have multiple health issues, and many fall somewhere in between. Regardless of what’s going on health-wise, there are many things people in their 70s can do every day to maintain physical, mental, and emotional health. Here are five recommendations.

1. Find Purpose in Life

Many of the world’s longest-living people report finding purpose in life drives them. This is certainly true for people in their seventh decade of life. Purpose can involve a variety of meaningful goals and activities, some of which may involve:

• Volunteering
• Exploring new hobbies and interests
• Sharing experiences with grandchildren

2. Get Sufficient Sleep

It’s a myth that older adults need less sleep. In fact, the National Sleep Foundation recommends adults 65 and over get 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night. Chronic health issues and mental health challenges can sometimes affect sleep habits, and your loved one’s doctor should be able to make specific recommendations if such issues are a factor. In general, people in their 70s may enjoy better sleep hygiene by:

• Sticking to a regular sleep schedule
• Avoiding excessive daytime napping
• Staying active throughout the day
• Maintaining a quiet, comfortable sleep environment

3. Avoid Falls

The risk of falling becomes greater with each passing decade. One of the ways people in their 70s can minimize this risk is with forms of exercise that target muscles that play a role in balance and coordination. Gentle forms of exercise such as yoga and water-based activities can help with this goal as well. Fall risks may also be mitigated by:

• Removing household fall hazards
• Using grip bars around toilets and tubs/showers
• Making appropriate home modifications

A home caregiver can help your loved one exercise in safety and comfort. Elderly home care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.

4. Keep the Brain Engaged

Mental health is just as important as physical health for people in their 70s. In fact, there’s plenty of research suggesting aging brains benefit from regular stimulation, which can also reduce cognitive decline and maintain mental alertness. Reading, working puzzles, and learning new things are just some of the many brain-stimulating activities that can help seniors in their 70s maintain good brain health.

Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Richmond, VA, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Home Care Assistance. Using our proprietary Balanced Care Method, our respite caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity.

5. Get Regular Exercise & Eat Healthy Foods

These are two things that naturally work well together to produce a wide range of physical, mental, and emotional benefits for people in their 70s. Exercise can keep older bones and joints strong while naturally boosting mood by stimulating the release of “feel-good” hormones called endorphins. Forms of exercise like yoga and daily walking can also provide an opportunity to clear the mind and relax.

Many studies show healthy eating has numerous benefits for older adults. What’s also great about healthy eating is the many options people in their 70s have, even seniors with picky tastes. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends older adults follow a balanced diet that includes:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Beans, whole grains, and other healthy starches
• Low-fat dairy products
• Lean proteins

Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of elder care. Richmond families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia. Call us today at (804) 207-4746 to learn about our high-quality in-home care services.

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5 Things People in Their 70s Should Do Every Day (2024)

FAQs

5 Things People in Their 70s Should Do Every Day? ›

Reading, working puzzles, and learning new things are just some of the many brain-stimulating activities that can help seniors in their 70s maintain good brain health. Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care.

What should a 70 year old be doing? ›

Focus on Mental Health

Some seniors enjoy journaling. Others like to meditate. Even reading a joke each day can count as a mental health activity. The main point is to do at least one special thing your loved one knows will make him or her smile each day.

How far should a 70 year old walk every day? ›

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), healthy seniors should walk 7,000 – 10,000 steps per day. That's an average of three to three and a half miles throughout the course of a day.

What is the best exercise for a 70 year old? ›

Swimming, short walks, pickleball, and cycling are all enjoyable, social, and—BONUS—low-impact ways to improve your cardiovascular health. With a fifteen-minute walk a few mornings a week, a game of pickleball on Wednesday afternoons, and a couple of water aerobics classes, you'll hit that cardio goal in no time.

How to be healthy at 70 years old? ›

Taking care of your physical health involves staying active, making healthy food choices, getting enough sleep, limiting your alcohol intake, and proactively managing your health care. Small changes in each of these areas can go a long way to support healthy aging.

How to increase energy after 70? ›

How Seniors Can Boost Energy Levels
  1. Exercise your mind. Staying mentally active will not only keep you sharp, but also can help with mental health. ...
  2. Exercise your brain to boost your energy. ...
  3. Don't Smoke. ...
  4. Eat Foods High in Protein. ...
  5. Get Lots of Sleep. ...
  6. Do things that are meaningful activities. ...
  7. Manage Stress. ...
  8. Stay Hydrated.

How do I keep my 70 year old busy? ›

Enjoyable Activities to Keep Elderly People with Limited Mobility Busy in their home
  1. Explore Different Hobbies. ...
  2. Let them be Creative. ...
  3. Make Reading a Routine. ...
  4. Add Some Brain Games. ...
  5. Use Birds as Companion. ...
  6. Exercise Regularly. ...
  7. Be a Part of Charitable Work. ...
  8. Herb Gardening.

What time of day is best for seniors to walk? ›

However, many experts suggest morning walks can help energise the body, promote better sleep and ease arthritis pain. Alternatively, the afternoon is also a good time when body temperature peaks, potentially leading to improved performance.

How fit should I be at 70? ›

Get aerobic exercise: Most older adults need about 2½ hours of aerobic exercise, like brisk walking, every week. That's about 30 minutes on most days. Endurance exercises like walking, dancing, and playing tennis help your breathing, heart rate, and energy. Stay flexible: Try stretching and yoga.

How many minutes should it take a 70 year old to walk a mile? ›

Mile: Average Walking Times by Age and Gender
AGEGENDERTIME
60–69Male20:00
Female21:40
70–79Male21:17
Female23:43
10 more rows
Mar 9, 2023

How to lose belly fat over 70? ›

Get active. For most healthy adults, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends moderate aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, for at least 150 minutes a week or vigorous aerobic activity, such as jogging, for at least 75 minutes a week. Strength training exercises are recommended at least twice a week.

What is the number one exercise to do as you get older? ›

The squat is the most important exercise for seniors,” Eric Daw, a personal trainer dedicated to older adults, told AARP. Older adults-even those who do not exercise regularly—may not realize it, but they do squats throughout the day.

Can you reshape your body at 70? ›

The good news for seniors who have never engaged in a resistance training program, is that it's never too late to start. In fact, many studies show that seniors over the age of 70 can experience similar gains from regular strength training as young adults.

How often do couples in their 70s make love? ›

David Lee, then at The University of Manchester's School of Social Sciences, the study found that more than half of men (54%) and almost a third of women (31%) over the age of 70 revealed they were still sexually active, with a third of these men and women having sex frequently – 'frequently' meaning at least twice a ...

What foods should a 70 year old eat? ›

Wholegrain cereals, wholemeal bread, fruit, dried fruit, dried peas, beans and lentils are all excellent sources. Make sure you drink enough water to prevent constipation. Remember, most older people need 6–8 cups of fluid each day.

At what age do you start feeling tired and old? ›

Well, this depends on a person's age, health, fitness level and lifestyle. Generally, the more years that pass, the more you'll value your beauty sleep, and its true senior fatigue is a real thing. However, most people start experiencing a decline in their energy levels by the time they reach their mid-thirties.

How do I find my purpose in life after 70? ›

Something to do: Esty notes that “those of us over 70 who are thriving are active.” Whether your passion is volunteering, crafting, taking continuing education classes, golf, or some other hobby or pastime, she says that “activities that engage us fully and give pleasure are the ones that are essential to our well- ...

What happens to the body at 70 years old? ›

With age, bones tend to shrink in size and density, weakening them and making them more susceptible to fracture. You might even become a bit shorter. Muscles generally lose strength, endurance and flexibility — factors that can affect your coordination, stability and balance.

Should a 70 year old live alone? ›

The consequences of living in isolation or dealing with feelings of loneliness as a senior can be detrimental. Some accompanying health risks include: Higher rates of depression, anxiety, and even suicide. Risk of premature death.

What can I expect when I turn 70? ›

What to expect: As we continue to age, we may be concerned about losing cognitive function. It may be harder to learn new tasks, recall information or keep track of everyday household items. That's normal as our brain grows older. The brain changes caused by Alzheimer's disease, however, are not a normal part of aging.

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