Seniors And Healthy Diets: It's Important

Eating healthy is important at every age, but as you get older, your diet becomes especially important. Following an unhealthy diet at an older age increases the risk for certain diseases like high blood pressure, and it can affect mobility and lead to overall discomfort. If you have an aging parent or loved one, it's important they eat healthy.

Bone Strength

With age, it's not uncommon to lose bone mass, which in turn increases the risk of broken bones, even from a minor fall. In addition to broken bones, a loss of bone mass can even affect mobility. A diet that incorporates healthy amounts of calcium and vitamin D is essential to keep bones healthy. 

Eye Function

Old age and vision loss are the norms for this age. While you might not be unable to reverse any eye conditions, such as cataracts, you can help keep your loved one's eyes healthier by ensuring they consume green vegetables and carrots as part of their regular diet. Drinking plenty of water can also help keep their eyes healthier, especially if they suffer from dry eyes.

Immune Defense

A common cold might only have you sick for a couple of days, but for your aging loved one, the opposite is true. It's essential you keep your loved one healthy in order to keep their immune system in full defense mode. Omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in fish like salmon are a great place to begin. From common colds to pneumonia, a well-functioning immune system is important. 

Home Care Can Help

Life is busy, and while you might want to cook healthy meals for your loved one, you might not have the time. A senior home care service can help. These professionals come into your loved one's home and can help with everything from grocery shopping for healthy foods to preparing them, as well as helping your loved one with other personal tasks, such as light cleaning and medication administering.

Additionally, if your loved one has special dietary concerns based on any preexisting conditions or medications they take, the home care professional can prepare meals based on these requirements. A senior care professional can also provide your loved one with meaningful social interaction, which is just as important as a healthy diet. 

Make sure you do everything you can to keep your loved one healthier. Speak with a home care professional who can help with this goal and provide additional care for your loved one.