How important is someone’s neighborhood in relation to his or her health? Some may say that only the decisions one makes about diet, exercise and lifestyle truly affect health. However, when individuals look beyond the basics of their health, they may be surprised by what they find. A recent study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society states that a senior citizen’s neighborhood may indeed impact that person’s health either positively or negatively. By learning more about this, some elderly individuals may be motivated to improve their living situations when possible to protect their health and lengthen their lives.
The Importance of Neighborhood Social Dynamics
Neighborhoods with poor social dynamics are also hard for seniors who typically depend on others to help them as they age. They may feel as if they have no one to reach out to and no one to ask for help. This may lead them to feel socially isolated and may significantly impact emotional and mental health.
While it may seem difficult to get away from a disadvantaged neighborhood, seniors should make every effort to do so as a way to care for their overall health. They may consider selling their homes and moving to assisted living facilities where they will find both social and medical support. They may also want to consider moving to a more modern neighborhood or to a neighborhood that is closer to family. Both of these options may open up easier transportation services. Seniors may also find themselves closer to medical care in general.
