24-Hour Home Care Heart Healthy Tips for Seniors

It’s important for seniors to pay attention to heart health since they have a greater likelihood of developing heart disease and the issues that come along with it. Maintaining a healthy heart also assures seniors can continue doing many of the activities they love. To help seniors achieve optimal heart health, 24-hour home care and loved ones can collaborate to create a well-rounded wellness plan.

Seniors deal with many challenges as they age. Some may lose mobility, while others struggle with cognitive issues. For this reason, not all seniors can maintain their health as they once did. This can be frustrating and lead to depression. The important thing that 24-hour home care can focus on is letting those seniors know it’s okay to start slow and that they will be with them the whole way.

Focus on Physical Activity

Exercising regularly is necessary for maintaining a healthy heart. Physical activities of a moderate level, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming, should be the focus of at least thirty minutes of daily activity for senior citizens. Before beginning any exercise plan, seniors should discuss concerns and questions with their doctor to determine issues that might arise with preexisting medical conditions.

Many seniors hear the goal of 30 minutes daily and give up before starting. This is where 24-hour home care can step in and help them break down the steps needed to reach that goal. There is nothing wrong with starting at five or ten minutes daily as long as seniors work consistently and strive to do more over time. Offering an alternative plan helps seniors reach smaller goals and build confidence, which is key to long-term success.

Healthy Eating Leads to a Healthy Heart

In order to maintain heart health, seniors need to eat a healthy, balanced diet. People over 60 should aim for a diet high in fruits, vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids. Seniors should strive to reduce their dietary intake of salt, sugar, saturated, and trans fats.

Sometimes this is harder than it seems, especially if seniors have maintained the same diet for most of their life. Loved ones and the 24-hour care team may need to encourage seniors to make diet changes by creating healthy meal plans for them or cooking unfamiliar foods so they can try new things.

Decrease Tobacco Usage

Habits are hard to break, but smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease. It is important for seniors to either give up smoking or avoid being around people who do. If loved ones are concerned about seniors’ smoking habits, talking with medical professionals about options is important. Stopping smoking cold turkey might have side effects that seniors and loved ones should be aware of.

Many seniors can lower their risk of heart disease by adhering to these heart-healthy measures. They must also forge a good relationship with their medical team and feel comfortable asking questions. Loved ones and home health aids can help seniors make the most of their efforts by supporting changes along the way.

If you or an aging loved one are considering 24-Hour Home Care in Keyport, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Lares Home Care 888-492-3538 or 732-566-1112.

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