Quinn Tobias
Preoccupied with the activities of daily life, many overlook nutrition. Often, individuals fail to consume three nutrient-dense meals a day and complete 30 minutes of exercise. This trend frequently appears in the elderly population as a result of numerous contributing factors.
These factors include immobility, suddenly living alone, medical conditions, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s, low income, and mental health disorders. Recognizing these factors and their looming impact, family members, friends, and seniors’ caregivers can help promote a healthy lifestyle for this population.
Promoting this lifestyle for older individuals can occur by following some simple tips. These tips look to enhance the lives of seniors and include the following:
1. Consume Foods with a High Nutritional Value
As we age, we require fewer calories to maintain our bodies. Therefore, the calories we do consume should feature nutritionally dense foods. When selecting foods from the grocery store, individuals should focus on selecting those foods that include…
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Brightly colored fruits
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Vibrantly colored vegetables
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Lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, and nuts for a good source of protein
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Whole-grain or fiber-rich foods
Choosing ingredients that align with some of these categories will assist in ensuring that the geriatric population has a nutrient-dense diet.
2. Encourage Physical Activity and Movement
While maintaining strenuous workouts and activity becomes difficult with age, those who are growing older should still receive encouragement to be active. This activity can come from a walk to get mail at the mailbox, participating in activities at the local senior center, or simple arm and leg exercises from the comfort of a chair. As a result of these exercises, seniors will reap numerous benefits, including increased appetite and thirst.
3. Stay Hydrated!
From the time we were young, we have learned the importance of staying hydrated. The importance of hydration does not decrease as we age; however, our sense of thirst may decrease. Understanding this, older individuals should strive to consume roughly 64 fluid ounces of water daily. While this may seem daunting, 64 fluid ounces of water equates to eight glasses of water a day. Consuming around this much in fluids will promote a healthy body for individuals of all ages. The value of hydration is significant to remember in the hot summer months!
4. Limit your Salt Intake
As we age, many individuals face high blood pressure. This looming threat of high blood pressure can worsen with high salt intake. Therefore, older individuals should try to limit their salt intake. They can do so by reducing the amount of salt they put on their food at the table. A second approach to reducing salt intake includes limiting consumption of processed foods, as these foods often have high sodium levels. When purchasing foods at the store, seniors, loved ones, or caregivers should note and compare food labels as these indicate the levels of sodium food in a product. Some low sodium alternatives include fresh and dried fruits and fresh and frozen vegetables, which may help quench a desire for salt
These simple tips can positively impact seniors' health as they will improve their nutrition and outlook on life. Furthermore, these tips can improve health conditions such as constipation, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Together, working to make healthy choices for our loved ones will not only make their lives better but also our lives.