Following a well-balanced diet can help seniors maintain a healthy weight, boost their energy levels, and enjoy a better quality of life as they age. To ensure their aging parents’ nutritional goals are met, family caregivers need to encourage their senior loved ones to eat foods high in minerals, vitamins, fiber, and other important nutrients. Here are a few reasons nutrition is vital for seniors.
Enhances Bone Health
There are many foods that contain the vitamins and nutrients seniors need to prevent osteoporosis. Consuming protein and various vitamins can contribute to good bone, muscle, and joint health. Protein contributes to a large percentage of bone mass, and it can also influence growth hormones and growth factors in the body that indirectly alter bone health. Make sure nutrition remains a top priority in your loved one’s diet.
Seniors who need help preparing nutrient-dense meals can benefit from professional in-home care. Homecare providers can benefit aging adults in a variety of ways. From cooking nutritious meals to offering timely medication reminders, the dedicated caregivers at InCasa Home Care Services are available to help your elderly loved one 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Boosts the Immune System
Nutrition is a crucial factor that affects the body’s natural resistance. Failing to get the nutrients the body needs could result in malnutrition, a condition that suppresses the immune system. Poor immune health makes seniors more susceptible to colds, the flu, pneumonia, and other infections. However, your loved one can eat foods high in protein, folate, iron, zinc, and vitamins A, B, and C to strengthen his or her immune system. These nutrients help the body fight against bacteria and harmful toxins.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional home care service. Edmonton families can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable while aging in place.
Staves Off Memory Loss
Seniors are at higher risk for developing dementia or Alzheimer’s due to poor lifestyle choices, including diet. Poor nutrition could lead to degenerative inflammatory disease, which can damage the part of the brain called the medial temporal lobe. The medial temporal lobe is critical for long-term memory, vision, emotion, comprehension, language, and sensory input. The issue can be prevented when seniors eat the necessary foods to keep their brains functioning normally.
Increases Circulation
Switching to a healthy diet can reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and heart disease. The foods your loved one eats may impact his or her blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and weight. Failing to control blood pressure and cholesterol could cause narrowed blood vessels, plaque buildup, and the tightening of the arteries, which leads to poor circulation. If less blood and oxygen reach the heart, the risk of coronary heart disease increases. However, ensuring proper nutrition is a natural way to increase blood flow. Healthy foods are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, flavanols, and other nutrients that widen blood vessels, strengthen capillary walls, and increase circulation.
Eating nutrient-rich meals isn’t the only way older adults can boost their wellbeing. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional elderly home care. Edmonton, AB, InCasa Home Care Services is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life. To hire a dedicated caregiver, call us at 587-609-6854 today.
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