Unhealthy lifestyles tend to show their effects as people begin to age. While seniors cannot do much about the follies of their youth, they do have a new chance to start anew that begins today. These are the healthiest lifestyle changes seniors can make to see dramatic impacts on their overall health and happiness over the next phase of life.
Limit Alcohol Intake
Social drinking has become the norm, and even seniors may feel pressured to overindulge during social events. Other seniors may begin drinking more as a way to quench their grief or loneliness. Too much alcohol leads to negative health events faster in seniors whose aging bodies may not be able to keep up with filtering out the toxins. Seniors should limit their drinking to 1-2 alcoholic beverages a day. Some people may benefit even more by abstaining completely.
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 Clearwater Home Care Home Care Assistance provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
Drop Smoking or Vaping Habits
Some seniors started smoking before the negative effects were well known. Others might have given up the habit in favor of vaping out of the belief that it’s safer than smoking. Both habits fill the lungs with chemicals that are known to potentially do harm. Quitting these habits can extend your loved one’s life by keeping his or her respiratory system strong.
Start Following a Healthy Diet Plan
Eating healthy can be challenging when temptation abounds every time seniors view an ad or drive past their favorite restaurant. Help your loved one avoid temptation by having someone help with grocery shopping. Your loved one is also more likely to eat healthier if he or she grows some fruits and vegetables at home.
Move More Throughout the Day
Seniors often see gains in their health after only short amounts of regular exercise. Talk to your loved one about moving more during the day. Simply walking around the house, standing up to make a meal, and doing a few stretches can all add up to a total workout by the time the day is done.
Delegate Risky Tasks to Others
Independence is something every senior who lives at home should try to maintain. However, there comes a time when certain tasks are too dangerous for seniors to do. Learning to let go and let others handle chores that pose a health risk can help your loved one avoid injuries that could limit his or her mobility.
Many older adults are choosing to age in place, and some need a helping hand to continue living at home safely and comfortably. Luckily, there is professional elder care seniors can trust and rely on.
Focus on Staying Social
Seniors often focus on eating better and quitting smoking, and these are definitely good things. However, they also need to remember that friends and family members can help them boost their health. Socialization can take your loved one’s mind off of his or her worries, and seniors who are surrounded by people who care are more likely to have help during times of need. Seniors need to make an effort at this stage in life to cultivate a supportive social circle that helps them maintain positive mental health.
Making healthy lifestyle changes can make it easier to maintain independence 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 Clearwater seniors can depend on. To find out how one of our dedicated caregivers can help your family and your loved one, give us a call today at (727) 330-7862.