How to Nurture Healthy Living for Seniors
How to Remain Healthy in Older Years
Living longer can be fantastic, but it’s not so enjoyable if you’re not living well. Remaining healthy as we age is crucial to getting the most out of life, and while we can’t always avoid developing certain conditions, we can often take steps to protect our general health through lifestyle choices. As Age UK tells us, “it’s not just about living longer, it’s about living healthily and happily for longer.”
Making changes in lifestyle, such as watching what we eat, taking gentle exercise, giving up smoking and getting enough sleep, can all make a practical impact on our physical and mental wellbeing. Sometimes it really doesn’t take much effort to make effective changes, and chatting to friends, family, your GP or Helping Hands carer can all help you to make healthier choices.
Taking Steps As We Age
Taking steps to improve our overall wellbeing while we’re still able to can have a huge impact on how well we live as we get older, including:
Exercise
Doing a little exercise daily can help us to stay strong, while lowering risk of obesity, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. Exercise can also help mental health as activity boosts self-esteem, gives us more energy and aids better sleep. The Government recommends 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity activity.
Implementing a Sleep Schedule
As we age, many of us find getting a decent night’s sleep more difficult. Feeling tired and irritable isn’t pleasant and can be avoided by forgoing daytime naps, establishing a good nighttime routine and going to bed at the same time every evening. Warm milky drinks are often good at aiding sleep, and some people swear by chamomile tea.
Nutrition
A balanced diet is crucial for good health, as it gives us energy and prevents illnesses. Eating lots of fruit and veg, wholegrains and oily fish can be very beneficial, as is avoiding too much saturated fat. Dairy and lean meat should be eaten in moderation, too. Drinking plenty of water can help reduce tiredness and confusion and keep us hydrated.
Keeping social
Keeping connected will reduce loneliness and anxiety, both of which can be detrimental to health. Even if your previous hobbies are no longer possible, try and develop new interests that can be done in the local community or at home, or try volunteering. Making the most of technology such as WhatsApp can also keep you in touch with loved ones and friends.
Regular Check-Ups
Visiting your doctor regularly for blood pressure and cholesterol checks will help you to monitor your health. They’ll also be able to advise you on avoiding risk factors for heart disease and stroke through a healthier lifestyle. Many GP practices now have advisors working at the surgery such as health coaches, who can help patients to make healthier choices.
Taking Care of Dental Health
Visiting a dentist regularly can help to keep teeth healthy and check that dentures fit correctly. Brushing twice a day and using floss can help to remove pieces of food and plaque that brushing alone can’t reach. Bleeding gums can be a sign of a more serious condition, so if noticed, they should always be reported to a dentist.
How Helping Hands Can Help
Helping Hands have been supporting our customers to live as healthy a life as possible in the comfort of their own homes since 1989. We’ll match you with a friendly carer who will support you with every aspect of your daily routine, including helping you to be more active and eat a more balanced diet. We offer support on both a visiting and live-in care basis, meaning you can tailor your support to your exact routine so that you remain as independent as possible at all times. Your carer will become a trusted friend and companion to you, whether you need them for a few hours a week or around the clock. They’ll help you to get out and about so that you can make the most of your local community, walking the dog, enjoying coffee and cake or just sitting and looking at beautiful surroundings. They’ll also help you keep in contact with family and friends, whether online or in person. Maybe you’d love to go swimming again, connect with your former book group or just play board games at home; with a Helping Hands carer by your side, you can do all this and so much more.
