Living a healthy lifestyle is vital to a senior’s mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. Poor habits can cause severe health problems and reduce independence, among other issues. Below are some tips family caregivers can use to help their elderly loved ones avoid poor health in the golden years.
1. Stay Physically Active
Exercising is an excellent way for seniors to reduce the risk of aches, pains, broken bones, and more. Aging adults should try to work out for thirty minutes at least three times per week. To make the routines more manageable, encourage your loved one to take up low-impact exercises that keep him or her active and help with balance, flexibility, stress reduction, and weight management. Some of the safest activities for older adults include walking, swimming, yoga, and arm and leg stretches. Motivating your loved one to start slowly could reduce the risk of fear and boost his or her physical activity.
Getting plenty of exercise is just one of the many ways older adults can maintain their health while aging in place. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional homecare services. Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
2. Avoid High-Cholesterol Foods
When creating a weekly menu for your loved one, plan low-cholesterol meals instead of ones that contain red meat, pork, pasta, cakes, and other unhealthy items. Some foods can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other serious conditions. However, eating plenty of leafy greens, berries, lean meats, and plant-based foods can reduce cholesterol intake and boost cardiovascular health.
3. Stop Smoking
Most tobacco products can raise the risk of cancer and damage respiratory health, which puts seniors at higher risk for severe problems when it comes to infectious diseases. To boost your loved one’s lung, heart, and brain health, he or she should stop smoking cigarettes or cigars or using other tobacco products that contain nicotine and other harmful ingredients. An excellent way to stop this bad habit is to encourage your parent to eat healthy snacks, take up fun hobbies, and socialize more. Possible strategies include joining a book club, volunteering, journaling, and learning how to play a musical instrument.
If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of in-home care. Philadelphia Home Care Assistance provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
4. Get Plenty of Rest
Poor sleeping habits can harm your loved one’s quality of life and increase the risk of health problems like confusion, lack of energy, and negative mood swings. Encourage your parent to get at least eight hours of sleep each night, and make sure he or she avoids taking long naps during the day. You can achieve this by developing a good sleeping routine that cuts out heavy meals and too many beverages before bedtime. The plan should also include:
- Removing background noises
- Turning off lights
- Keeping the bedroom at a comfortable temperature
- Suggesting relaxing activities like a warm bath
5. Visit the Doctor Regularly
Each time your loved one visits the doctor for a checkup, the physician can evaluate his or her health and determine if further testing is necessary. A primary care physician will usually conduct annual tests for vision, hearing, heart health, blood pressure, and more, all of which are vital to your loved one’s wellbeing. Catching health problems early on can prevent the conditions from worsening and allow you to develop an adequate care plan at home. In addition to visiting the doctor, your loved one should see a dentist as often as necessary to prevent poor oral hygiene.
Staying healthy is one of the best ways to remain independent in the golden years. Living independently is important for seniors who want to maintain a high quality of life. For some, this simply means receiving help with tasks that have become more challenging to manage over time. Even when families have the best intentions, they may not have the time to provide the care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. If your loved one needs help for a few hours a day or a few days a week, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of respite care Philadelphia seniors can depend on. For reliable in-home care services, contact us at (215) 645-4663 today.