4 Healthy Habits Older Adults Need to Maintain

Living a stress-free life in the golden years is something most seniors want. The habits older adults engage in generally affect their lifestyle, from taking on daily tasks independently to the type of medications they take to treat health issues. Seniors don’t need to make significant changes to continue living healthy, but they should add good habits to their daily routines and let go of negative behaviors that impact their health and longevity. Even simple steps like getting more exercise, eating better, and practicing cognitive-boosting strategies may help your aging loved one maintain independence and happiness in the senior years.

Focusing on Good Nutrition

Healthy eating may increase energy levels and help seniors control their weight. Consuming the nutrients needed daily may stave off certain illnesses and diseases. For example, adding veggies such as leafy greens to meals may sharpen the mind and lower the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Foods full of antioxidants, including fatty fish and green tea, may enhance your loved one’s memory and keep him or her mentally alert. Speak with your parent’s physician to determine what foods your loved one should avoid and what to include in his or her diet. 

Sticking to nutrient-dense foods and making healthier lifestyle choices may help your loved one enjoy a high quality of life. If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a trusted provider of home care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping.

Getting Adequate Sleep

Lack of rest may cause irritability and poor cognitive and physical health. Therefore, your loved one should get at least eight hours of sleep each night. Make sure your parent’s sleeping conditions are comfortable. For example, noise inside the home shouldn’t impact your loved one’s sleeping routine. The bed should also be comfortable, and your loved one should avoid taking naps on furniture that could negatively affect mobility, such as couches and reclining chairs.

Staying Socially Active

Spending time with family, friends, and other aging adults may keep the brain active and reduce stress. As a result, your loved one will be more likely to slow down the progression of cognitive decline, which may lower the odds of medical conditions like high blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks, and obesity. Socialization may also include physical activity if your parent chooses to join classes or group sessions while working out at the gym or a senior community fitness center. Volunteering with local organizations is another way to keep your loved one socially engaged, whether he or she helps out at a hospital, library, or local animal shelter. For families living in Columbus Dementia Care may be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Assisting Hands Home Care, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.

Attending Regular Doctor Visits

Even the most mentally and physically active seniors need to visit their doctors for regular checkups. Some conditions produce minor warning signs that are often confused with the normal effects of aging. However, medical tests and regular physicals allow your loved one’s primary care physician to determine what changes need to be made, whether that applies to your parent’s diet, workout routine, medications, or living arrangements. Medical visits should also include regular dental and vision checkups.

Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of senior home care. Columbus families may rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that may stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia. For compassionate, reliable in-home care, trust the experienced professionals from Assisting Hands Home Care. Reach out to one of our dedicated Care Managers today at 614-678-5887 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.