Functional Activities: Promoting Quality of Life in Older Adults
Functional activities are activities of daily living (ADLs) that promote quality of life in older adults. ADLs involve performing basic self-care tasks such as bathing, dressing, and toileting. These activities are essential for independent living and maintaining an optimal quality of life. It is important for older adults to be physically and mentally active in order to reduce the risk of disability, improve physical and cognitive functioning, and delay the onset of age-related health problems.
The purpose of this article is to discuss the importance of functional activities in promoting quality of life in older adults. It will also provide strategies for supporting older adults in engaging in functional activities to maximize their quality of life.
It is well established that functional activities are essential for older adults to remain independent and maintain their quality of life. Physical activity is associated with improved physical and cognitive functioning, lower risk of disability, and delayed onset of age-related health problems (Lambert, 2016). In addition to the physical benefits, functional activities also provide psychological benefits such as improved mood and social engagement (Bauer et al., 2018).
It is important for health care providers to support older adults in engaging in functional activities to maximize their quality of life. Health care providers should assess the functional status of their patients and provide appropriate interventions to promote physical activity. This can be done through education, physical activity programs, and access to resources (Lambert, 2016). Health care providers should also ensure that older adults have access to safe environments to engage in functional activities.
In addition, family members and caregivers can play an important role in promoting functional activities in older adults. They can provide physical and emotional support, and help to create safe and comfortable environments for the older adult to engage in functional activities (Bauer et al., 2018).
In conclusion, functional activities are essential for promoting quality of life in older adults. Health care providers, family members, and caregivers can all play an important role in supporting older adults in engaging in functional activities. By doing so, older adults can maintain their independence, improve their physical and cognitive functioning, and reduce their risk of disability.
References
Bauer, J., Wertheimer, A., & Schulman, M. (2018). Enhancing functional activities in the home environment: A review of the literature. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 44(7), 18-27.
Lambert, E. V. (2016). Promoting functional activities in older adults. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy, 39(2), 69-75.