How to Help Your Senior Loved Ones Stay Fit
When your loved ones retire at an older age, you might notice that they start having a significant decline in their physical fitness and abilities.
While this is normal as people age, neglecting their physical fitness can cause them to experience many health issues and injuries. Here are a few ways to help your senior loved ones stay fit and active throughout retirement.
Walk With Them
First, one easy activity that you can participate in to help keep your senior loved ones fit is going on walks. Going on a walk should be a manageable physical activity since it doesn’t require too much strain or strength on the body. If your senior loved one has already started having some physical problems, be aware of their energy levels and physical needs.
If needed, slow down or take a shorter walk. However, letting them go without the physical activity of a walk can actually be more detrimental to their health. There are many health benefits of walking regularly as a senior. Keeping them active will help them stay healthier and live longer. Going on consistent walks can help your senior loved ones to maintain a healthy weight, improve their cardiovascular health, boost their mental health, and sleep better.
Take Them to the Pool
Another way to help your senior loved one stay active and healthy is to take them to the pool. Many forms of exercise might not be as accessible as your loved one ages because their strength, agility, and flexibility will decrease. However, swimming is a great option for exercise as it works their entire body and increases their heart rate.
You also won’t have to worry about your loved one experiencing unnecessary strain or injury when they’re swimming as long as they’re using good form and swimming correctly. Because swimming is easy on the joints, it’s a great exercise for seniors. Swimming together can be a great way to connect and stay healthy, and it can also help your loved one to get out of the house and socialize.
Do Stretches With Them
Finally, when you’re trying to add various activities to your loved one’s routine to keep them healthy and active, remember to include stretching. Even though stretching might not seem like a particularly strenuous workout, it has lots of health benefits, particularly for seniors. It can help to improve their strength, mobility, and range of motion. Stretching is an exercise that is almost always prescribed when seniors are recovering from an injury because it helps to restore their muscles and joints. If your stretching routine becomes too easy for your loved one, try adding a little more resistance. Adding resistance or circuits to your stretching routine can help your senior loved ones to build and maintain greater flexibility and strength.
So, if you’re trying to help your senior loved ones to stay active so they’re healthier and live longer, remember this article. You can walk with them, take them to the pool, and do stretches with them, among other activities. If you keep your loved one accountable, they’ll be more accustomed to including physical activity in their daily routine.
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How to Prevent Seniors From Falling Ill During the Winter
As your parents age, their health begins to decline and they are more susceptible to illness. This can be worrying since even common illnesses can pose a big problem for them, especially during the winter. Fortunately, there are things you can do to help your parents stay healthy and avoid getting sick.
Get Them Vaccinated
Preventative measures should be your top priority when it comes to the health of your parents. One of the most common forms of prevention is vaccines. With a vaccine, individuals are given a small amount of a virus, bacteria, etc. in order to prepare their immune systems. After a vaccine, their immune systems are prepared to handle the disease and they can fight it off if they encounter it.
There are a few vaccines you should make sure your parents have. Each year, they should get a flu vaccine. This is because there is a new strain of flu each year and the vaccine is updated to account for this. You should also make sure your parents have gotten the COVID-19 vaccine as well as all booster shots. With the proper vaccines, their immune systems can be protected.
Feed Them a Healthy Diet
When your body is healthy, it’s less likely to get sick. You need to make sure your parents are taking care of their bodies. A healthy diet is key. Their diets should contain all the essential nutrients because these help their bodies function properly.
Their diet should include plenty of fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains and lean proteins. You can find meals that combine several nutrients. Soups are often rich in critical vitamins and minerals essential for staying healthy. They are also an easy meal option for elderly individuals.
Keep Things Clean
Germs can be transferred to many surfaces and in turn, transferred to you. To keep your parents from getting sick, you need to make sure everything is kept as clean as possible. Start by sanitizing all the surfaces in their home and performing regular cleaning. You should also wipe down anything that comes into their home. While they’re out, make sure they are washing their hands often. They should also avoid touching their eyes, mouth, or nose.
In the winter, it’s very common for anyone to get sick. Seniors are especially susceptible to sickness at this time and you should take extra measures to keep them healthy. With your help, they can avoid becoming ill.
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Conversations to Have With Your Senior Loved One
As you age, your body inevitably becomes weaker and more susceptible to disease or health problems. This can make things like working or traveling more difficult or even impossible. If you have senior loved ones, it is essential to have some conversations to prepare for the future and to adapt to their changing needs.
Finances
According to recent studies, of households with seniors over age 60, around 80% are struggling financially. A large factor probably contributing to this number is that many people in their sixties or older are retired or not able to work. Without a regular source of income, it can be difficult to stay financially stable.
You should discuss with your senior loved one budgeting strategies to make the most of the money they do have. Make sure that they are setting aside money for the most important things like healthcare and groceries. Budgeting money wisely, especially when you are older, will help you live a healthier and happier life.
End-of-Life Planning
End-of-life planning isn’t necessarily a fun topic to talk about, but it is a practical thing that should be discussed. You may find it easier to talk about end-of-life planning if you do so early on when your loved one is still very healthy. However, if you don’t get around to it until later or until your loved one is terminally ill, don’t put it off any longer or dread it.
End-of-life planning can take a lot of weight off your shoulders once they pass because everything will be figured out beforehand. For example, they can decide what type of funeral they would like to have. Some types of funerals include an open-casket funeral or a memorial. A memorial service will be held without the casket present.
Health
Your loved ones will probably experience more health problems as they get older. Even if they were very healthy in earlier years, they may still experience health problems in their senior years. Moving them to senior housing can help them take care of things from simple grooming habits to keeping track of medications. Make sure to emphasize that a move to a senior home would greatly improve their life; you are not trying to get rid of them.
Whenever you have hard conversations with senior loved ones, make sure that you have compassion. Show them that you care about them and their feelings. Many transitions and life circumstances can be difficult for them, so try to understand their perspectives.
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Common Issues That a Poor Diet Can Cause in Seniors
As people age, they tend to eat fewer calories. This is largely due to a diminished appetite, and the decrease in calories can make it difficult for seniors to get the proper nutrients in their diet. Nutrient deficiencies can lead to a variety of issues, including fatigue, pain, and even heart problems. If you or someone you love is struggling to get enough calories, one or more of these common issues might occur.
Heart Problems
Seniors are more likely to experience a chronic magnesium deficiency which can significantly impact heart health. Low magnesium levels could cause high blood pressure and even heart disease due to the role magnesium plays in regulating several key heart functions.
Magnesium-rich foods include leafy greens such as spinach and kale, legumes such as peanuts and chickpeas, and nuts such as almonds and cashews. Whole grains like whole wheat and quinoa are also good sources of magnesium. If you are struggling with getting enough magnesium into your diet you might need to supplement.
Digestive Problems
Constipation is a very real problem among seniors. In fact, around 33% of people over the age of 60 experience issues with constipation. One major cause of constipation is a diet low in fiber. That is why it is especially important for seniors to increase their intake of fiber-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, seeds, and whole grains.
Eating more fiber helps improve the digestive tract. Not only does it reduce the risk of constipation, but it also helps maintain a healthy microbiome in your gut. Without enough fiber, your gut bacteria will begin breaking down your intestinal lining for survival.
Weakened Bones
Nutrient deficiencies can also lead to a decrease in bone density. Your body requires several key nutrients for strong bones. Calcium and vitamin D strengthen bones and prevent bone loss. Of course, your bones are supported by your striated muscles which means that sufficient protein is also vital for bone health. Eat more dairy foods, leafy greens, tofu, and bony fish to get more calcium. Vitamin D is found in fortified milk, oily fish, and eggs. Many of these foods are also rich in protein.
It’s vital to get the proper nutrients at any stage of life. However, the golden years are of particular concern. Talk with your doctor about what nutrients you might be lacking and create a dietary or supplementation plan together. The quality of your diet might just be the difference between a good quality of life in your later years and poor health.
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Why You Should Take a Bigger Role in Your Parents’ Finances
As your parents get older, one of the things you’ll need to take over for them is their finances. As their memories start to go, they can run into financial trouble quite easily. These are a few of the reasons why you should take a bigger role in your parents’ finances.
Take Something Off Their Plate
Every person goes through a transition as their parents age where they have to play more of a caregiver role. This is the circle of life, your parents take care of you as you grow up, and you help take care of them when they begin to need more help. In regards to their finances, stepping up and offering to help them can be a great way to take some stress off of their shoulders.
If your parents are getting older, and are having some trouble managing their money, they can run into some serious issues. Helping them gives you the chance to ease some of their stress and help them continue to be taken care of.
Prevent Fraud
One of the most common money issues that aging parents deal with is fraud. Scammers often directly target older adults with their ploys, and your involvement can make all the difference. Scammers can get information from your parents in many different ways. Older people will open scam emails and download corrupt files without knowing that they’re being scammed.
Seniors are less likely to acknowledge when they’re victims of identity theft. Having a more knowledgeable individual backing them up with their financials can help them both prevent fraud, and also better report it if it ever does happen.
Ensure They’re Taken Care Of
The final reason you should be more involved in your parents’ finances is that it’s something you can actively do to make sure they’re taken care of. Many parents are unwilling to let you become too involved in their lives, even if they’re aging. It can take a lot of convincing to get your parents to let go of their independence. Finances are a good way you can get started, by taking over some payments and ensuring that their bills are paid on time. If you are more involved in your parents’ finances, you never have to worry about them missing house payments, forgetting prescriptions, and spending too much each month. You can rest easy knowing that they’re always going to be taken care of.
Every person reaches a point where they need to be more involved in their parents’ day-to-day life. Helping with their finances helps you make sure that they stay safe and provided for. These are some of the reasons you should consider being more involved with your parents’ finances.
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How to Keep Senior Loved Ones Comfortable During Winter
The winter months are a time for rest, relaxation, and comfort. Especially if you have senior loved ones, keeping them comfortable is an important part of getting through the season. To help take care of your loved ones as much as possible, consider the tips below.
Make Sure Their Heat Works
Many people who are older get colder more easily because they have less fat on their bodies. Especially if their mobility is limited, they may be unable to adjust the thermostat themselves. It’s important to make sure their heat works so that they can stay comfortable throughout the colder season. In order to do this, plan ahead during the warmer months to have their HVAC system checked.
It’s important to have your HVAC system regularly maintained so it doesn’t break. Replacing your HVAC system can be expensive, but having it regularly maintained allows you to catch any issues before they become serious. It’s also helpful to make sure they have plenty of blankets and warm clothing so that they can stay warm.
Help Them Eat Healthy Food
Another important step in keeping your older loved ones comfortable in the winter is helping them eat healthy, nutritious food. With energy levels lowering, if they live on their own, they may be unmotivated to cook healthy things for themselves. However, the nutrients in these healthy foods is what will keep them healthy and strong throughout these colder months.
Soup provides warmth and tons of healthy nutrients. It’s also soft and easy to chew if your loved ones have dental issues. Soup is also great because you can prepare it ahead of time and leave it for them to eat periodically. You can prepare a big batch of soup, and keep it in their fridge or freezer for them to heat up when they get hungry. This will ensure that they always have enough healthy food to eat.
Keep Them Company
One of the biggest struggles for older relatives is loneliness. It’s easy for people to forget to visit their aging loved ones, but the loneliness of living in an assisted living center or other place is real. To keep your loved ones comfortable during the winter, make a real effort to keep them company. Visit as often as you can, and bring them to your home if at all possible. Especially during the holidays, making the effort to be near them can transform their season from dull and depressing to happy and hopeful.
As your loved ones grow and age, it becomes time for you to take care of them. During the winter, they need extra care and help. If you want your loved one to be as warm and comfortable as possible, consider these things you can do to take care of them.
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How to Accommodate Elderly Loved Ones in Your Home
It can be difficult to know how to accommodate elderly loved ones in your home. They may need more help than you’re used to giving, and they may not be able to do the things they used to do. Here are some tips on how to make your home more elder-friendly.
Renovate the Bathroom
One way to accommodate elderly loved ones in your home is to renovate the bathroom. For instance, you might install grab bars in the shower or tub, or add a raised toilet seat. These simple modifications can make a big difference in the safety and comfort of your elderly loved ones. In addition, they can also help to prevent falls and other accidents. So if you’re looking for ways to make your home more accommodating for aging family members, don’t forget about the bathroom. With a few small changes, you can make a world of difference.
Make Room for Them Downstairs
As people age, they often require more assistance to move around. Stairs make it harder to move around for many seniors. This means accommodating them in your home may require some changes. If you have a multi-level home, consider making room for them downstairs where they will have easier access to the kitchen, living room, and bathroom. This will make it easier for them to get around and allow them to remain independent for longer. If you’re not able to make changes to your home, there are still ways to help them get around safely. Installing a stairlift or providing a ramp can help them move around more easily and give you peace of mind knowing that they’re safe.
Give Them a Private Space
The final way to accommodate elderly loved ones in your home is to create a private space for them in your home. This could be a bedroom, den, or even just a corner of the living room that is set aside as their own personal space. Furnish the area with comfortable furniture and decor that reflects their taste and personality. Then, make sure that the rest of the family respects their privacy by not entering the space without permission. By creating a private space for an elderly loved one, you can help them feel more comfortable and relaxed in your home.
These are just a few ideas on how to accommodate elderly loved ones in your home. By making a few simple changes, you can make your home more elder-friendly and provide them with the assistance they need to remain independent. So if you have an aging family member, don’t wait to make some changes to your home.
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Why Seniors Need to Eat a Healthy Diet
Taking care of your health is an important part of your life, especially when you are in your golden years. A healthy diet is one of the easiest and most effective tools you have to take care of your health at home. As a senior, it is important that you take special care in choosing a diet that meets your nutritional needs and gives you the energy and strength you need to navigate your life.
Maintain Brain Health
Your brain is one of the most important organs in your body, and it needs to be taken care of. Certain foods have known qualities that allow them to help your brain health be its best. Things like omega-3 fatty acids have shown a major positive impact on brain health in people of all ages. By taking care of your brain health you can make sure that you can enjoy your later years and spend your time comfortably with the people you love.
Prevent Heart Disease
The right diet can also help you to keep heart disease away. When you are able to take care of your heart you can feel better generally and have more stamina. A low-fat diet can reduce the risk of heart disease. Eating lots of whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables will also help you to protect the health of your heart.
Build a Strong Immune System
As you age, your immune system can take a lot of damage and have difficulty fighting off the various illnesses you are exposed to. The food you eat can help you to build up your immune system and be more resistant to many illnesses. As you choose foods that you want to incorporate into your diet, think about the nutritional value they bring to your life. It’s important to treat yourself sometimes, but you want to make sure that your diet is generally good so you take care of your health needs. The stronger your immune system is, the easier it will be for you to stay healthy and accomplish all your goals.
Eating a healthy diet brings a lot of benefits to your life and can help you to feel more comfortable from day to day. Even making small changes to your diet, like adding in more vegetables can help you to feel better and improve your health. Your health is your most important resource, so do what you can to take care of it.
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Why You Should Keep an Eye on Aging Parents
Your parents probably did a lot to ensure your health and safety when you were a child. As they grow older, the roles reverse. You should start to look out for their health and safety more as they become more fragile.
Health Concerns
The most obvious concern for aging people is their health. As the human body ages, organs and other parts of the body tend to not work as well as they used to. Some common health concerns in the elderly include heart disease, dehydration, and bone or joint problems. Even if your parents haven’t had a history of health problems, make sure to be on the lookout for these and other common health problems in elderly people. Encourage your parents to make exercise, even as simple as walking or biking, a regular part of their daily routine to keep their bodies moving and healthy.
Protect Them Financially
Just because your parents are older doesn’t mean that their finances are secured for life. The elderly are more likely to be victims of identity theft. Hackers and scammers tend to target the elderly because they have more secure income from retirement funds and social security. Additionally, elderly people tend to be more trusting and can fall for scammers’ tricks. Talk to your aging parents about suspicious calls or offers and about not giving out their personal information.
Mental Health Concerns
When you get older, your body isn’t able to do a lot of the same things you could do when you were younger. While this is normal for all people, it can be very frustrating to not have the same capacity for certain hobbies and activities. Additionally, memory and mental capacity often worsen with age as well. These physical changes paired with the loneliness often associated with old age can lead to serious mental health concerns. Spend time with your aging parents to discover other hobbies and activities they enjoy that they can keep doing at their age. Make sure that they feel fulfilled with what they are able to do in order to help them continue to enjoy life.
Aging parents don’t need to be treated like toddlers, but there are factors in their lives that need to be watched out for. Keeping an eye on aging parents can help ensure that they still have a fulfilling and enjoyable life as they grow older. This is also a great way to show your appreciation and love for them.
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How to Improve Senior Cardiovascular Health With Diet
From the day you are born, it is important to take care of your heart so you can live a long and healthy life. And as you get older the importance of taking care of your heart only increases. When you are in your senior years it is important that you eat a healthy diet that supports your cardiovascular health so you can enjoy your time doing the things you love with the people you care about.
Increase Fiber
Fiber is an important part of your diet for many reasons, but it can have a very positive impact on your heart health in particular. Eating foods that are rich in fiber can help you to improve your digestion and ensure that your heart is getting the nutrients it needs to perform appropriately. You can get fiber by eating whole grain foods and from eating vegetables. You can also increase your fiber intake with supplements if necessary. Getting enough fiber will help you to feel better and be healthier.
Reduce Meat
Eating less meat from day to day can help you to protect your heart. Plant-based diets can reduce cardiovascular health risks as well as diabetes. It is okay to eat meat occasionally and even just cutting down on meat once or twice a week can have a positive impact on your health. You could try implementing a meat free monday into your week to help cut down on the meat you consume.
Eat Healthy Fats
Some people think that they need to avoid all fats in order to maintain their heart health, and that isn’t necessarily true. In fact, certain kinds of fat can actually improve your heart’s health when you eat them in moderation. The omega 3 fatty acids in fish for example can have a positive impact on your cardiovascular system. So while you may want to cut down on some fats, you don’t want to avoid fat all together. It is also important to pay attention to low or no fat foods, since in many cases they make up for the lack of fat with an increase of sugar and other unhealthy elements.
Taking care of your heart health doesn’t have to be a hugely complicated thing. In fact, you can help control your heart’s health with a little additional care and thought about the things you eat. Eating a heart healthy diet can improve your health in important and impactful ways over the course of your life.
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