Good nutrition is essential for people of all ages, but it may be even more important for seniors. When your aging loved one consumes a healthy diet, he or she may be more likely to maintain better physical and emotional health. Here are five reasons seniors need good nutrition.
1. Enhance Cardiovascular Function
Good nutrition that includes the recommended daily allowances of potassium can enhance cardiovascular function. When seniors are deficient in potassium, they may be at risk for developing a cardiac arrhythmia, chest pain, or high blood pressure. Potassium-rich foods include bananas, oranges, and almonds. Consuming foods rich in potassium may also enhance sleep quality and promote optimal circulation.
Eating nutritious meals is not 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 home care. Edmonton, Alberta, Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
2. Reduce Infection Risk
As people age, their immune function tends to decrease. Your loved one needs to consume foods rich in vitamin C because adequate vitamin C stores can prevent many types of infections, including bacterial, fungal, and viral. Foods rich in vitamin C include all citrus fruits. If your loved one is unable to eat citrus because of digestive issues such as heartburn or acid reflux disease, he or she can eat green leafy vegetables instead.
3. Promote Optimal Bowel Function
If your loved one doesn’t consume enough fiber, digestive issues such as constipation and diarrhea may develop. Good sources of dietary fiber include legumes and fresh fruits and vegetables. While fiber is an essential part of a well-rounded diet, consuming too much can lead to bloating, excessive trapped gas, and abdominal pain. If this happens to your loved one, encourage walking or talk to the doctor about over-the-counter anti-gas tablets.
4. Accelerate Wound Healing
Older individuals may be more susceptible to developing skin breakdown such as decubitus ulcers and diabetes-related stasis ulcers. Once these wounds have developed, they can be difficult to heal. To accelerate wound healing, your loved one needs to consume foods rich in vitamin C and protein. Both of these nutrients promote optimal collagen function while supporting a healthy circulatory system.
Some seniors need help preparing nutrient-dense meals that speed up the recuperation process. If your aging loved one needs occasional help with bathing, grooming, cooking, or other basic household tasks, or if you need time to attend to important personal matters, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of live-in and respite care. Edmonton seniors can maintain their independence while living at home with the help of our reliable respite caregivers.
5. Maintain Healthy Bones
Calcium and vitamin D are essential nutrients that play important roles in maintaining healthy and strong bones. While these nutrients are vital for people for all ages, they are especially important for postmenopausal women because menopause can lead to brittle bones. Estrogen keeps a woman’s bones strong and healthy. During menopause when estrogen levels decrease sharply, women may develop degenerative conditions such as osteoporosis. Encourage your loved one to eat calcium and vitamin D-rich foods such as dairy products, salmon, and green leafy vegetables. A physician may recommend taking a combination calcium and vitamin D supplement to slow the progression of degenerative bone disease.
Hiring a professional caregiver is a good way to boost your parent’s health, wellbeing, and quality of life. If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of Edmonton elder care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping. To learn about our premier in-home care methods, give us a call at (780) 490-7337 today.