As rates of heart disease are high in senior populations, it’s important to find ways to help your senior loved one promote his or her heart health. While there is no way to eliminate your elderly loved one’s risk for certain heart conditions, you can reduce his or her chances for heart disease by helping him or her make positive lifestyle changes. At Home Care Assistance, the Philadelphia senior care experts suggest that including the following food items in your loved one’s diet can help promote a healthy heart.
1. Nuts
Almonds, walnuts, and other nuts typically contain unsaturated fat and lots of fiber, both of which can help lower your loved one’s bad cholesterol levels. As high-levels of LDL cholesterol are one of the primary causes of senior heart disease, eating nuts every day may help your loved one avoid heart conditions. Though most nuts tend to be high in calories, incorporating a small handful of almonds into your loved one’s diet can help his or her heart, without making him or her put on weight.
2. Salmon
Omega-3 fatty acids are one of the most important nutrients for seniors who are concerned about their heart health. Since these acids reduce inflammation throughout the body, they are also responsible for diminishing the blood vessel damage that can lead to heart disease. To help your loved one avoid this kind of heart condition, ask a family member or Philadelphia part-time caregiver to prepare salmon twice a week for your loved one. Whether baked or boiled, salmon is also a delicious dish that your loved one can enjoy with a side salad for a healthy and filling meal.
3. Olive Oil
Known as one of the healthiest fats on earth, olive oil is good for senior heart health and for making delicious dinners. Like the Omega-3 fatty acids in salmon, the antioxidants in olive oil are shown to reduce inflammation in the body, which can reduce your loved one’s risk of developing heart disease. For an easy way to incorporate olive oil into your loved one’s diet, try mixing up your own salad dressing. Using equal parts Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil, whisk homemade salad dressing to put on top of a leafy spinach salad. Or, for a truly heart-healthy and yummy dish, drizzle the dressing over your loved one’s baked salmon.
If you’re concerned that physical or cognitive challenges will make eating healthy difficult for your loved one, reach out to Home Care Assistance. Our professional caregivers are expertly trained to provide assistance that can make following a nutritious and heart-healthy diet easier, including grocery shopping, meal prep, and cooking. For seniors who have cognitive conditions, our caregivers can also provide more comprehensive in-home assistance to promote senior health, wellness, and safety. To learn more about our care services, including Alzheimer’s and dementia care in Philadelphia, give a Care Manager a call at (215) 645-4663 and ask to schedule a free in-home consultation.