Regardless of age, obesity can lead to health conditions ranging from diabetes to asthma. For seniors, the associated health concerns can be life-threatening. Here are five ways to reduce the risk of obesity in seniors.
1. Choose the Right Food
To lose weight, seniors need to modify their calorie intake. For healthy, sustainable weight loss, it’s important that seniors modify what they eat and how much they eat. Aging adults should follow diets filled with fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. They should also avoid unhealthy foods that can lead to cardiovascular events, such as red meat, processed foods, and refined grains.
A well-balanced and nutritious diet can enhance health and stave off diseases. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional home care. Clearwater, Florida, 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.
2. Modify Eating Habits
Seniors may also need to modify how much they eat. Overweight seniors likely consume too many calories every day. To reduce the chances of overeating, seniors should eat healthy, filling foods such as chicken, nuts, apples, eggs, and Greek yogurt and stop consuming empty calorie snacks like potato chips, baked goods, and sugary beverages. Seniors are more likely to overeat if they skip breakfast. If they eat a healthy, hearty morning meal, they can avoid mid-afternoon hunger pangs. Other ways to prevent overeating include eating small portions, eating slowly, and eating at home instead of restaurants.
Modifying eating habits without aid and motivation can be challenging. 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.
3. Get Moving
To reduce the risk of obesity, regular physical activity is also essential. However, this doesn’t mean seniors should embark on a rigorous workout regimen the minute they decide to lose weight. Instead, seniors should ease into exercise, allowing the body to acclimate to physical activity. They could start by taking a walk around the block every night after dinner. When that gets too easy, they can hop on a stationary bike or sign up for a senior aerobics class at the local community center. When seniors make incremental weight loss progress, the results are more sustainable.
4. Sleep Eight Hours Per Night
Inadequate sleep may make it difficult to lose weight. Sleep deprivation causes the body to overproduce the stress hormone cortisol, which can lead to weight gain. For seniors who have difficulty sleeping seven to nine hours per night, working on their sleep hygiene may help them lose weight. To sleep better, seniors should create an ideal sleeping environment. The room temperature should be cool, the lights should be out, and the noise should be minimal. They should also stop looking at screens and electronics an hour before they get into bed and develop relaxing nighttime routines. A pre-bedtime meditation session helps some seniors fall asleep, while others like to read comforting books.
5. Turn Off the TV
When seniors live sedentary lifestyles, they’re at a greater risk for obesity and the associated health conditions. To mitigate this risk, seniors should keep track of how long and how often they sit. They should never stay seated for more than an hour, and their TV time should be broken up by rounds of stretches. When seniors are mindful of their lifestyle habits, it’s easier to get active, maintain healthy behaviors, and lose weight.
Reducing the risk of obesity by maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be challenging for both seniors and their family members. You and your parent can use some external help to overcome this challenge. Whether your elderly loved one needs part-time assistance with basic household chores or you need a break from your caregiving duties, the Clearwater respite care experts at Home Care Assistance are here to help. All of our respite care services are backed with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we never ask our clients to sign long-term contracts. Call (727) 330-7862 today to schedule a free in-home consultation.