In today’s fast paced society, many people often get their priorities mixed up and focus on things that are more materialistic in nature. Because of this healthy aging becomes an issue.
Health should always be on the top of everyone’s list. If you are caring for an elderly loved one, you understand how important it is to look after not only their safety and finances, but also their health. Being able to care for a loved one as they age can be extremely rewarding, however, it can become stressful and overwhelming if your loved one has poor health conditions.
Caring for your elder requires you to take into consideration a myriad of things, and if they are in poor health, it can really make your job as a caregiver a lot harder. Ensuring that you include activities into their daily routine that caters to their mental and physical well-being will help your senior live a more happier and healthier lifestyle. It will also make your job as a caregiver a lot easier and fulfilling.
We’ve put together 4 tips to promote healthy aging that can help you safeguard their health and help them life a fulfilling and comfortable life.
1. Have a Proper Diet Plan In Place:
One of the most important things to do is to make sure that you elder has a proper diet plan in place which fulfills all of their daily nutritional requirements. Seniors are extremely vulnerable and prone to illnesses, having a healthy diet in place ensures that they continue to be in good health. For seniors, any diet should be low in salt and fat. Both dietary substances are known to slow down recovery from illnesses if consumed in large amounts.
Fat and salt are both absorbed into the blood and can make circulation sluggish. Consuming too much fat can also block your arteries. One way to combat this, is to include plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables into their diet. These help to provide essential minerals and vitamins needed for tissue regeneration. Fiber is also important to include in their diet, because plenty of fiber helps to keep their bowel movement regular. If you need help putting together a nutritional plan for your loved one, you can visit us on our website or give us a call at (865) 332-5000.
2. Keep Their Mental Well-being & Safety In Mind:
Creating a safe environment for your elderly loved one to live in will help provide peace of mind for you and for them. Knowing that they are safe in their home can relieve a lot of stress and there are simple things you can do to accomplish this. De-cluttering their living space and securing furniture etc. will help to eliminate slips, falls and accidents. You should do all you can to make sure that your loved one feels safe in their home and when taking part in daily activities.
Another helpful tip is to create a daily routine for the elder in your care. Establishing a routine can put your loved one’s mind at ease, knowing what they are going to be doing on a daily basis is very calming for seniors and gives them a sense of security and control. Daily routines also help to alleviate stress and confusion for both you and your loved one. Remember, mental wellness is very important when it comes to healthy aging.
4. Keep Them Active With Exercise Routines & Other Physical Activities:
When it comes to healthy aging, some seniors may not be physically able to exercise on a daily basis, while some of them may need assistance to complete physical activities. Even a little bit of light exercise, say fifteen to twenty minutes can make a huge difference in their overall health. Exercising on a regular basis will help them feel stronger and more energetic, as opposed to when they get not exercising at all. You can choose something they enjoy doing to include in their exercise routine. Now apart from the traditional exercise routine, there are also other activities they can do to get their body moving. The exciting thing to remember is that they can do these activities with you or with other members of the community (such as neighbors, family, friends).
A few of these activities can include going for a walk, gardening either at home or at a community garden, biking, playing at the park with grand-kids, dancing, grocery shopping, and even walking their pet. Swimming and Tai-Chi are also very popular in the elderly community and are very effective physical activities.
3. Keep Track Of Doctor’s Visits & Screenings:
It is important to encourage your senior to get regular health checks, these checkups are to make sure that their body is functioning properly and it also helps diagnose any illnesses before they become serious or life threatening. It’s always a good idea to write down any ailments they may be having at home. Sometimes life can get really busy and you may forget to mention something important. By keeping notes on their health, you will have everything documented and be fully prepared for their doctor’s visit. Staying up-to-date with their vaccinations are also important, so be sure to mark your calendars for any upcoming vaccinations they need to take (eg: the flu shot etc.) so that you do not miss those dates. Keeping up to date on their doctor’s appointments and vaccinations can significantly improve the long-term health of their life and alert you to anything that may need to be observed in the future.
By incorporating these 4 tips, you will be able to tremendously improve your loved one’s health and overall well being. We hope that you found this blog post helpful, we would love to hear your thoughts so please leave us a comment below!