Live well, age well
As individuals age, it is natural to notice changes that come with growing older. For some, health risks might be more apparent, and others might notice a gradual decline in health. Luckily, there are steps older adults can take to move toward healthy aging and live a high quality of life even as changes start to occur.
6 tips to promote healthy aging
1. Have a well-balanced diet
As we grow older, the food that we fuel our bodies with is extremely important. You want to ensure that you are getting the proper nutrients to support healthy aging and have the energy to continue doing the activities you love. To do this, make sure you eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and stay away from processed foods.
Another crucial component of a healthy aging diet is calcium to ensure our bones stay strong as we age. Try to consume plenty of milk or other dairy products. If dairy bothers you, an alternative might be tofu, which is soft and easy to chew, and is high in calcium and protein. Consult with your doctor to see if there are other critical vitamins or minerals that your body may be lacking.
2. Get plenty of exercise
It’s important for older adults to keep moving. As long as you continue to move, you are preventing muscles from wasting. Exercise doesn’t have to be excruciating and extensive. A few examples of physical activities could be:
- Taking a walk or bike ride around the neighborhood
- Walking around a local mall or track
- Swimming or water aerobics in a local or community pool
- Enrolling in a local gym or fitness club
- Bowling, golf, or other sports
- Practicing yoga
- Participating in group fitness classes
Anything that keeps you moving can be considered exercise. Try to choose things that you enjoy, so it doesn’t feel like a chore.
3. Stay involved
To promote healthy aging, it is extremely important to stay involved with different activities and socialize with others. When you become isolated from the outside world, it can be easy to slip into a state of depression and have little motivation. See what is going on around your community that you can become involved with, call an old friend, or talk with a neighbor.
When you’re at home, do things that you enjoy and give you fulfillment. That might be playing a game with your spouse, baking cookies, doing a puzzle, or other activities you enjoy.
4. Ditch old habits
It can be hard to shake old habits, like smoking, after years of routine, but as you age it becomes crucial to your health to rid yourself of unhealthy habits. Do research on what community and online resources are available to you, and what other alternatives are offered. Hold yourself accountable and keep yourself occupied by doing other enjoyable activities.
5. Visit your doctor routinely
The best way to support healthy aging is to keep up on your routine health check-ups. Your primary care doctor can recommend and provide you with the necessary health screenings, and help you stay on top of your overall health. Your doctor can also recommend healthy aging tips to accommodate your specific health situation.
6. Seek additional help if you need it
Needing additional help as you age is normal. Everyday tasks can become more difficult, and unexpected injuries or illnesses can add a damper to your living situation. If you are noticing these changes in your or a loved one’s life, it might be time to consider getting additional help. Luckily, there are in-home care options like Ethos Home Health Care and Hospice that can provide care to you right from the comfort of home.
If you’re not sure whether it’s time to consider additional help, take this free online assessment to learn more about your care needs and determine if home health care might be right for you.
Get in touch with Ethos Home Health Care and Hospice
Ethos provides home health care and hospice services to individuals in the Fargo/Moorhead, Grand Forks, and Detroit Lakes communities. We are available to answer all your questions. Get in touch with us by calling (701) 515-0696 or fill out an online form.
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