Essential Lifestyle Health Tips for Seniors

Even if we reach old age, it is never too late to pursue a healthy lifestyle. We need to take care of our body and prevent any illness, most especially when we reach 65 years or older because even a disease that is as simple as a flu, it can progress and lead to more serious complications. Thus, it is important that we should be vigilant in monitoring our elderly loved one’s health.

Availing services such as senior care in New Jersey is one of the things that you can give to your loved one to help them secure their health. Listed below are also some essential lifestyle health tips for seniors that you should follow:

1. Keep them active and let them take supplements as necessary

It’s never too late to start adopting a healthy lifestyle, no matter your age. As we reach our senior years, these practices are even more important since they can help ward off chronic diseases and keep us mentally sharp. It’s never too late to start adopting a healthy lifestyle!

Take up the sport or hobby they love
This takes any possible guilt out of exercising and lets them enjoy it for hours at a time. Joining an active club or team brings in additional benefits, and may even make them feel younger! Let’s look at what happens when seniors play team sports:

Between the ages of 30 to 60, seniors drop their risk of mortality by 11%, a 9% reduction in heart disease and a 6% reduction in diabetes for men.

Seniors who engage in sports and activities for 2+ hours per week are 40% less likely to die within the next 10 years.

Seniors who play team sports are 40% less likely to develop dementia than those who don’t.

Physical activity is shown to increase cognitive ability, improve memory and reduce depressive symptoms. It can even help ward off Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

Let them start taking supplements
Supplements are a great way to supplement our diet. A healthy diet is important for a healthy body, but you don’t need to struggle on your own. There are many natural supplements available today that can help increase your immune system and even make the performance of your body organs better.

Start a simple exercise routine
We’ve all heard that exercise is good for us. It’s never too late to start this habit, and it might be exactly what they need. Exercise reduces the risk of chronic disease, improves mood and makes body feel better.

Keep socializing
Even though our minds may not be as sharp as they used to be, socializing can keep us engaged with others and feel vital and connected to the world around us. Even though we may be in a wheelchair, there are many ways to socialize.

Stay motivated
The ability to get around and live on your own will take motivation, as well.

2. Prepare a healthy diet for them and make them wash their hands frequently

You should prepare wholesome and nutritious dishes for your seniors. Fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, legumes and nuts are ideal. Include lean protein such as fish or skinless poultry. You can also include eggs as a source of protein to make the diet more interesting.

What should I do to make sure my senior eats healthy?

• Encourage them to eat at least three times a day by offering snacks between meals if necessary.

• Allow them to eat what they want as long as it is nutritious and not junk food.

• Offer healthy snacks such as fruits, nuts, yogurt with whole grains and seeds.

• Avoid sugar-rich or high fat food items.

• Keep snacks in their reach so they have control over their diet.

• Do not give them anti-diabetic drugs (medications that lower insulin levels) unless absolutely necessary.

How to wash hands frequently?

Regular hand washing will help prevent the spread of germs. You should encourage your senior to wash their hands before eating and after using the bathroom. Keep sinks, faucets, counters, and other hard surfaces clean so that germs have less of a chance to spread. Do not allow seniors to use unwashed utensils or food-spoiling items on the table or kitchen surfaces.

3. Help them how to manage stress and get plenty of rest

We all know that in old age, it becomes more difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The body also changes, which can result in new challenges that weren’t an issue in our younger years. However, there are certain things we can do to ease those challenges and live with some peace of mind. Managing stress and getting plenty of rest should be a top priority if you are 50 and over.

What Can I Do to Help Seniors Manage and Reduce Stress?

Communication is everything
Learn what your aging loved ones stress triggers are. If they’re not in great health, are on medication or have had a stroke, then it’s important to find out what the most stressful times of the day are for them. Then, you can try not to schedule activities at those times and avoid getting angry with them. Remember that they’re not used to this new way of living so an outburst may just scare them more than anything else. Avoid asking them for favors whenever possible too. Unfortunately, for you, it may mean lots of less sleep.

Get your parent out of the house.
If you want to keep them healthy and happy, it’s probably best to get them out of the house daily if possible. Visiting a senior center or a church is one way to keep them busy while also getting some social interaction in their life. Seniors are generally happier once they have something to look forward to during their day so try setting up some events for them that will make them smile.

Prepare meals at home.
Many seniors get stressed out by the idea of preparing their own food. While you may not want to cook every meal, you can help them with some meals such as breakfast or lunch. If they know exactly what they’re getting, this will make them happier in general and make it easier for them to prepare that meal when they’re at home alone.

4. Take steps to prevent them from infections

It is not always possible to avoid infections, but taking these preventive steps can significantly improve the quality of your future life.

Preventing infection starts with a healthy immune system. Immunity can be strengthened by eating nutritious food, exercising, and avoiding too much time in the sun or smoking cigarettes. They should also take all medications as prescribed to ensure that you stay well for as long as possible.

With a weak immune system, infections can set up shop in your body, making you feel weak and causing pain and discomfort. The more infections you have, the more you will be susceptible to getting other infections.

They can also help prevent infection by limiting their exposure to germs so that they do not spread from one person to another. They can avoid spreading germs around on:

Hands – This means washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the restroom or before touching your face.

Handle and store food properly – It is important to keep your hands away from cutting boards and knives, especially when you are not eating. Use clean utensils for cooking and after using the restroom.

Avoid touching the face – You should not touch your face with unwashed hands because germs are easily transferred by this simple action.

Keeping fingernails short – This will help limit the transfer of germs from one person to another.

Washing hands after touching pets or livestock – Make sure that they wash their hands after petting dogs, cats, or other animals. If they need to handle livestock, have them wear disposable gloves.

5. Schedule annual checkups

It’s important to schedule annual checkups for your seniors in order to keep an eye out for any potential health problems they may be experiencing. For example, cancer screenings are important for seniors because it is more common among this age group. Based on the results of your seniors’ regular checkups, you should be able to recognize when they have problems that need medical attention.

For instance, if your senior has stomach issues or is experiencing chronic pain, a checkup can help you identify how serious their problem is and what needs to be done in order to treat it. In some cases, you may need to take them to see a specialist for treatment.

You should also schedule regular dental checkups for your aging loved one, because reducing dental problems will make it easier for them to enjoy optimal health. Involving yourself in your seniors’ dental care process isn’t a bad idea, either. For instance, you can get their teeth cleaned on a regular basis, which will help keep them looking and feeling their best.

Do not be afraid to involve your community as you are caring for an aging loved one, especially when it comes to healthcare and other important necessities. This can be especially important if they aren’t able to take care of these matters on their own anymore. In many cases, your aging loved one will appreciate the extra effort you put in to protecting their health.

If your senior loved ones need skilled care, we at Serenity Senior Care offers exceptional nursing care in New Jersey.

We take pride in our high-quality home care services in Bloomfield, New Jersey provided by our compassionate and highly skilled caregivers. Our services can be personalized to suit your specific care needs, including medical and non-medical care at affordable rates.