In the midst of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, many seniors are advised to stay confined to their homes or rooms. The need for a simple, well-rounded wellness program that promotes senior health and wellness has never been more important. Activity – mental and physical — is essential to keeping seniors healthy, active, and motivated. This is why many senior living providers and caregivers are looking for a fresh approach to engaging residents in wellness activities while keeping them comfortable and abiding by social distancing regulations.
Health literacy is our ability to understand health information and make the best health care decisions. A seminal study of these skills has issued a troubling report card: just 12 percent of all adults – and 3 percent of seniors – have proficient health literacy.
“Low health literacy has been linked to poor health outcomes, such as higher rates of hospitalization and less frequent use of preventive services,” says Callie Whitwell, chief operating officer and founding partner at Lifetime Wellness. Her company provides person-centered wellness, life enrichment, and recreational programming to independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing and rehabilitation, and memory care facilities throughout Texas and Oklahoma.