As you come to care for the senior members of your family, helping them to stay fit and healthy doesn’t mean they have to lose their independence! In fact, helping your loved one maintain their healthy habits, and even introducing new ones, is far easier than you may think. Instead of spending hours inside, encourage them to embrace the outdoors and embark on a short walk or hike to prevent harmful diseases. For more ideas, why not take a look at our suggestions below to help ensure seniors stay healthy.
- Eat Well
When it comes to promoting health, it is important to help seniors by ensuring that they eat well. As you get older, good nutrition plays an essential role in how well you age and it is a fact that several illnesses, including the likes of high blood pressure, heart disease and obesity can be prevented, if not controlled, with a good diet. What is a good diet you ask? A good diet is made up of fruit, vegetables and fiber or, in other words, a good diet involves consuming the right amount of food and drink in the right quantities.
- Stay Active
Regardless of your age, it is never too late to get started! In order to ensure your loved one remains active, encourage them to go on regular walks or hikes, whether it is with a group of friends or yourself. Alternatively, why not take your loved one swimming, or sign them up to a water aerobics class depending on their health? Not only will staying active help ensure that your loved one is feeling and looking their best, but it can help prevent numerous diseases including heart disease, arthritis, diabetes and even cancer. Most importantly, however, you should never let your loved one exercise alone. Whilst seniors may need to reduce the amount they exercise, they could also be more subject to falls regardless, which we explain more about in further detail below.
- Prevent Falls
Unfortunately, we become increasingly susceptible to slips and falls as we age, which is why we must take the relevant steps required to prevent irreversible damage to our bodies. Diseases, such as osteoporosis that affect the quality and density of bone, make it even more vital that we prevent the risk of falls occurring. Luckily, preventing falls and potentially life-threatening injuries doesn’t have to involve getting rid of the luxuries in life. Preventing falls can be as simple as replacing loose carpets or removing rugs that may catch your feet. Similarly, you should ensure all electrical cords are kept out of the way, including clutter, to prevent a fall occurring. For two-story homes, ensure that the stairs are well lit and are equipped with rails on both sides for additional support.
- Get Regular Check-Ups
There are numerous benefits of regular doctor’s check-ups. Not only will arranging regular check-ups help reduce your loved ones risk of falling ill, but visiting the doctor on a regular basis will help detect potentially life-threatening conditions or diseases before they take their toll. Regular check-ups include cancer screenings, sensory screenings and immunizations. Ultimately, getting regular check-ups helps your loved one stay on top of their health, which is paramount when it comes to enabling them to live a longer, healthier and happier life.
- Quit Smoking
It doesn’t matter how old you are, it is never too late to quit smoking. Quitting smoking is critical in order to improve the quality of your health. Smoking can kill by causing cancer, and even heart failure. For a senior, it is even more important to quit because the health problems can be even more serious. This is because smoking reduces overall bone density, which can also lead to the development of osteoporosis.? Moreover, quitting smoking will also help your loved one save money, and thus help them enjoy the finer things in life, such as going abroad.
There are several ways you can help your loved one stay healthy. From motivating them to stay active by going on regular walks in the park or hikes and consuming the nutrition their bodies require, to encouraging them to quit smoking in order to enjoy the finer things in life, you can help your loved one continue thriving with these simple steps.
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