Heart disease is still the most common cause of death in the US, and the risk goes up with age. But here’s the good news: 80% of heart disease can be stopped before it starts. Even better, older individuals with senior home care in place gain the support they need to incorporate heart-healthy habits into their daily routines.
Get Moving—Even Small Steps Matter
Many older people think that being heart healthy means getting in a lot of exercise each day, but that’s not true. Simply working on sitting less each day and moving just a bit more is ideal—and with caregivers by their side, exercise won’t seem like such a chore.
Caregivers can gently encourage seniors to go for short walks, do some light gardening, or stretch during breaks in the commercials. Researchers found that people who wore a fitness tracker and tried to move more sat less for an average of seven minutes a day and had their systolic blood pressure drop by 10 points over 20 weeks. This proves that even small doses of activity can have a big effect.
Support Heart-Healthy Meal Preparation
What seniors eat is also important for their heart health, and caregivers know this, which is why they strive to provide seniors with healthy options throughout the day. For instance, a Mediterranean-style diet that is high in nutrients and includes fruits, vegetables, nuts, olive oil, fish, and low-fat poultry is beneficial for the heart because it has a mix of protein, carbs, fat, and antioxidants.
Additionally, instead of focusing on what they can’t eat, caregivers can take a positive approach by adding more colorful, healthy foods to a senior’s plate. They can incorporate a bit of competition into the meal plan to see how many colors of foods the seniors can eat in each meal or help them rework family favorite recipes with heart health in mind.
Help Establish a Consistent Sleep Routine
It is easy to forget that sleep is good for heart health, but the research is clear. The more poorly a person sleeps, the more likely they are to have heart failure. People who sleep better may also have less inflammation, lower blood pressure, and lower cholesterol levels. Caregivers can help seniors get better sleep by making sure their bedroom is comfortable and conducive to sleep, helping them stick to a calming evening routine, and limiting sugary snacks before bed.
Introduce Light Resistance Activities
People of all ages can do resistance training, which is good to know since studies have shown that those who did resistance exercise once, twice, or three times a week for an hour or less had a 40% to 70% lower risk of getting heart disease.
The best part about resistance training is that it doesn’t require a gym membership. Caregivers can safely add resistance activities to a senior’s day by introducing them to resistance bands, even in a seated position.
Monitoring Medications and Maintaining Communication
Senior home care providers also encourage seniors to be open and honest with their doctors. Many common medications for osteoarthritis, autoimmune diseases, cancer, asthma, and other conditions can damage the heart. That’s why doctors need to know what seniors are taking, how it affects them, and any concerns they have.
Senior home care providers are key when it comes to helping seniors boost their heart health so they can continue aging in place successfully.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering senior home care in Edison, NJ please contact the caring staff at Expert Home Care today at. (732) 937-5320
Sources:
https://www.silversneakers.com/blog/qa-heart-disease-warning-signs/
https://newsroom.heart.org/news/healthy-sleep-habits-help-lower-risk-of-heart-failure
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30376511/
https://www.silversneakers.com/blog/qa-what-is-mediterranean-diet/
https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/to-lower-blood-pressure-even-five-minutes-of-exercise-helps
New study finds an extra five minutes of exercise per day could help to lower blood pressure
We have been providing Home Health Care to New Jersey families since 1985, and have grown to become one of the largest licensed providers of Live-In Home Care in the upper New Jersey area. Our many years of New Jersey home care experience has produced a company that over 8,000 clients have come to rely on confidently, for help.
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