A well-balanced, heart-healthy diet—rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains—reduces plaque build-up in the arteries to deliver a free-flowing stream of oxygen to all parts of the body, including the brain.
Why An Efficient, Nutrient-Rich Diet Is Essential To Senior Health
A nutritious diet is especially important for seniors’ health. That is because a variety of factors puts older adults at greater risk of malnutrition, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. These factors include chronic disease, physical disability, isolation,limited income and medications that limit nutrient absorption.
Skin-Deep Advice For Better Senior Health
Senior skin care: how much our skin and wrinkles betray our age depends a lot on our genes as well as our lifestyle, such as smoking, diet, physical activity and how well we protect our skin from the sun. Even in our later years, lifestyle can help us improve our skin health, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).
Caring for Seniors’ Muscles, Joints and Bones
As we age, our bones lose density, muscles lose flexibility, and joints become worn over time. Mobility can become limited and balance can be affected, making us more at risk for falling and fracturing bones. Seniors are especially prone to falling, and also to diseases such as osteoporosis and arthritis, which can impose limitations in the most basic activities of life.
Battling Sleep Changes in Seniors and Elders
It’s important for caregivers to understand that even the healthiest seniors find that their sleep habits change. At any age, insomnia is the most common sleep complaint, but for adults over the age of 65 even more so. In fact, one out of every four senior adults reports symptoms of poor sleep.
The Importance of Staying Hydrated for Seniors and Elders
Because more than sixty percent of the human body is made up of water, staying hydrated is important to keep our bodies functioning properly. Elderly adults are among the most at risk groups for dehydration, one of the most frequent causes of hospitalization after age 65. Because of the potentially serious consequences of this condition to seniors, as a caregiver it’s important to recognize the causes and symptoms of dehydration as well as how you can help your loved one stay properly hydrated.
Slowing the Progress of Age-related Macular Degeneration
As we age, the fact that we may end up wearing glasses to help us read does not surprise us. Irritating as that may be, the need for reading glasses can be a common result of the wear our eyes experience as they grow older. However, some eyesight changes can denote the onset of a serious condition called age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss in adults 50 years and older.
Get Moving: How Seniors Can Slow The Effects Of Aging
With a little effort, you can slow the telltale signs of aging. Research and senior citizens who exercise and eat a good, balanced diet are proving this. Research at the Buck Institute for Age Research in Novato, Calif., reaffirms the health benefits of exercise and found that it can even reverse the aging process.
Good Nutrition Gives Seniors What They Need for Better Living
Hunger and malnutrition prove to be a much greater issue for seniors than younger adults due to a wide range of social circumstances, such as living alone, and health conditions, such as dementia.
Dental Hygiene Is Essential to Senior Health
Dental hygiene for seniors affects far more than dental health. Good teeth can help seniors get the benefits of a balanced diet, while poor dental health can have a negative effect on other conditions, such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.