The senior years represent a time when there should be more opportunities to enjoy life. Spending time with loved ones, traveling, and engaging in new hobbies are just a few things seniors can look forward to doing after retirement. Staying healthy is the best way for older adults to make sure they can do all of the things they’ve always dreamed of doing, and your senior parent can start taking better care of his or her health by incorporating these ideas into his or her wellness plan.
1. Let Go of Bad Habits
Smoking, excessive alcohol use, and drug abuse are all habits that have a negative impact on overall wellbeing. Some seniors developed these habits when they were younger, but it’s also common for older adults to start misusing substances in an attempt to handle painful life events. These habits can all be difficult to stop without help. Encourage your loved one to reach out for help from a counselor or a group program. Each day your loved one avoids engaging in these habits brings him or her one step closer to better health.
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 home care. Clearwater Home Care Assistance provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
2. Stay Hydrated
Every system in the body relies on water to help it run efficiently. Dehydration can cause seniors to experience difficulty with thinking and reasoning. Joint pain is also worse when there isn’t enough fluid in the body to keep things lubricated. If your loved one doesn’t like water, try adding flavor by infusing it with fruit. You can also find special water bottles that help you keep track of how much water your loved one drinks throughout the day.
3. Make Movement Fun
Seniors need to get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. If the thought of this makes your loved one groan, it’s time for him or her to look at exercise in a new way. Dancing is one way to sneak more movement into the day without feeling like it’s a workout. Hiking in the wilderness or walking around a lake are also great ways to stay more physically active.
Getting plenty of exercise is just one of the many ways older adults can maintain their health while aging in place. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional senior home care. Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
4. Eat More Fiber
Fiber helps seniors stay fuller for longer, which cuts down on cravings for unhealthy food. A high-fiber diet also reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Try increasing the amount of fiber in your loved one’s diet slowly by making small changes. Swapping out white bread for wheat is one change many people find easy. You can also serve high-fiber cereal for breakfast or add more beans to your loved one’s diet.
5. Focus on Injury Prevention
Getting hurt in the senior years can lead to a rapid decrease in health. Some injuries require seniors to stay off their feet for a period of weeks, which reduces how much physical activity they’re able to do, and it can take a toll on mental health. Severe injuries could limit independence even more. Try to look for ways to help your loved one avoid getting hurt. Delegating risky activities to a younger adult in the family or a professional caregiver is one way to make sure your loved one doesn’t experience a preventable injury.
Staying healthy is one of the best ways to remain independent 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 schedule a free in-home consultation, call one of our friendly Care Managers today at (727) 330-7862.