It’s that time of the year again when everyone wants to make a fresh start and get healthy after holiday indulgences. But, most people will abandon their resolutions within a month. Seniors who are making it a priority to get healthy this year should try to make small daily changes instead of trying to make big life changes all at once. According to studies the best way to make healthy changes last is to consistently make small actions towards being healthy.
You can help your senior parent with their goals to get healthy this year. In-home care is a great gift for seniors that will help your senior parent stay committed to healthy living. With in-home care seniors have the support they need to take care of the house, shop for healthy food, and make exercise and healthy meals priorities. If your senior parent wants to get healthy this year these 5 New Year’s resolutions will help them achieve that goal:
Exercise Three Times Per Week
Ideally seniors should be exercising daily, but for some seniors that’s just not a realistic goal. Setting a goal of exercising three times per week for at least 30 minutes is a much more achievable goal than exercising every day. By setting an achievable goal seniors are more likely to meet that goal. And when they meet the goal they are more likely to keep going with their plan to make healthy changes.
Eat More Plants
The most recommended diet for seniors is a diet that is mostly plants and lean proteins like turkey, chicken, or fish. There are a lot of easy ways for seniors to switch their meals to include more plants. Adding one vegetable to each meal can double a senior’s plant intake, which means doubling the vitamins and minerals they’re getting. In-home care helps seniors find new and interesting plant-based meals to try and can help them cook meals too.
Manage Stress
Chronic stress can have a big impact on a senior’s health. Chronic stress can make autoimmune disorders worse. It can also cause symptoms of conditions like anxiety or depression to be worse. This year seniors who want to be healthy should make a better effort to reduce their stress. Meditation, exercise, journaling, support groups, and professional counseling are all great things seniors can do to reduce their stress and improve their health.
Get Regular Health Screenings And Check Ups
It’s very common for seniors to avoid going to the doctor unless they’re actually sick. But seniors should be proactive about their health. Getting regular screenings for things like cancer and dementia are important. So are vision and hearing tests, dental care, and regular physical checkups. You can help your senior parent stay healthy throughout the year by helping them schedule appointments for routine screenings, dental cleanings, and health checkups now.
Prioritize Better Sleep
Sleep plays a much bigger role in overall health than most people realize. And seniors, who are prone to sleep disturbances and insomnia, can benefit from better sleep. To improve the quality of their sleep seniors can try things like getting in-home care, replacing their mattress, using light-darkening curtains, and taking a hot bath or shower before bed. Seniors who have a hard time sleeping because of a medical condition like sleep apnea should talk to their doctor or schedule a sleep study to get professional advice on improving their quality of sleep.
If you or an aging loved one is considering in-home care in Danville, CA, please contact the caring staff at Provident Care Home Care today at (209) 578-1210.
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