As seniors age, a healthy and well-balanced diet allows seniors to maintain physical abilities as well as cognition and brain health. So what does a well-balanced diet include exactly? Along with vitamins B and D, potassium, and zinc, a senior diet should have high levels of calcium. Here’s why!
About Calcium
When calcium is suboptimal, it depletes from the bones. Consequently, they become brittle and prone to fracture, which leaves seniors more vulnerable to injury. Philadelphia Home Care specialists and geriatricians recommend that seniors try to get around 1,200mg of calcium each day.
Benefits of a Calcium-Rich Diet
Adequate calcium decreases the risk of colon cancer, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and weight gain, and is also key in:
- Supporting optimal brain function
- Reducing the risk for blood clots
- Promoting healthy cellular communication
- Enhancing enzyme activation
- Maintaining normal blood pressure
- Strengthening bones and teeth
How to Increase Calcium Consumption
Adding a calcium supplement to your aging parent’s or relative’s diet is one way to boost calcium consumption, however there are also many natural food sources chalk full of the vitamin. Consider adding the following calcium-rich foods into your loved one’s diet:
- Black-eyed peas and white beans
- Blackstrap molasses
- Fortified juice and breakfast cereals
- Leafy greens like kale, bok choy, and broccoli
- Low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese
- Soy and almond milks
Interested in learning more about senior health? Call (215) 645-4663 and chat with the senior care experts at Home Care Assistance of Philadelphia. Our trained and compassionate caregivers help seniors meet daily nutritional needs by helping with grocery shopping and meal preparation, and can also assist with household chores and transportation. And don’t forget to ask about our Balanced Care Method, a senior care approach that focuses on a healthy diet, daily exercise, and promoting social ties and feelings of purpose for older adults.