Following a healthy diet could lower your senior loved one’s risk of various conditions, including dementia, diabetes, and arthritis. Healthy foods provide nutritional value that boosts independence and longevity by keeping the body functioning as its best. Below you’ll find some of the most nutritious foods for seniors and details on how each item can slow down the aging process.
Blueberries
The compounds found in blueberries help the body fight against age-related issues such as memory loss, poor bone health, and cognitive impairment. Whether your parent eats blueberries for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, the antioxidants in the fruit can fight against free radicals that damage cell membranes in the brain. By reducing oxidative stress, your loved one could maintain good mental, physical, and emotional health.
Salmon
Eating fatty fish like salmon gives the body the vitamin D boost it needs to increase longevity and enhance quality of life. The fish contains essential nutrients that can reduce wrinkles and blemishes, helping your loved one feel and look great in the senior years. To receive maximum benefits, your parent should eat at least two servings of salmon (or other fatty fish) each week.
If your loved one needs help planning and preparing nutritious meals, a home caregiver can be a wonderful source of support. Maintaining a high quality of life can be challenging for some seniors, but professional caregivers can help them obtain this goal. Families can trust Clearwater Home Care experts to help their elderly loved ones focus on lifestyle choices that increase the chances of living a longer and healthier life.
Broccoli
You should add more vegetables to your loved one’s diet, especially anti-inflammatory foods like broccoli, which is packed with anti-aging nutrients such as fiber, vitamin K, and folate. The calcium in broccoli can keep the bones healthy and reduce pain. Vitamin C is also prominent in broccoli, and it can increase collagen production, giving skin the protein it needs to maintain elasticity and strength. Lutein is another anti-aging nutrient found in broccoli, and consuming adequate amounts can preserve brain function.
Soybeans
Seniors who feel great can manage stress and anxiety better, which enhances their overall wellbeing and slows the aging process. Eating soybeans can boost your loved one’s self-esteem by making him or her look great and feel fantastic. Collagen and elastin in the skin usually decrease with age. However, nutrients in soybeans can protect the skin and keep it looking smooth and wrinkle free. The phytochemicals in this food can also balance your loved one’s estrogen levels and reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Family caregivers also need to pay attention to their own health, and that involves taking time to nurture their own wellbeing. Caring for a senior loved one can be rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming for family caregivers who have other responsibilities they need to focus on. For these families, the perfect solution is respite care. Clearwater families rely on our caregivers whenever they need time to rest, work, run errands, and even go on vacation.
Red Wine
The anti-aging properties in red wine make it an excellent choice for seniors, especially those who are trying to give up unhealthy beverages like beer and liquor. Drinking a glass of wine each day could boost your loved one’s memory by stopping brain cells from breaking down. Slowing down this process can allow your loved one to maintain independence. The resveratrol in red wine can also stave off conditions like heart disease and some cancers.
A trained professional caregiver can be an ideal resource when you’re trying to help your loved one lead a healthier lifestyle. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of home care. You can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia. Call one of our friendly Care Managers today at (727) 330-7862 to learn more about our customized care plans.