Category: Senior Health

Many seniors have high cholesterol, which puts them at risk for heart attacks and strokes. Fortunately, your senior loved one can minimize the risk by simply lowering his or her cholesterol levels. To help your loved one remain healthy and maintain a higher quality of life, use these cholesterol-lowering strategies. 

Incorporate More Fiber into the Diet

When seniors eat fiber, it binds with cholesterol and helps it pass out of the body so less is absorbed. It’s currently recommended that seniors eat approximately 25 to 35 grams of fiber a day, and doing so can lower unhealthy LDL cholesterol levels by as much as 5 percent. Beans, fruits, and fresh vegetables are all excellent sources of fiber. 

Encourage Exercise

Daily physical activity has many benefits for seniors, and one of the most important is an increase in healthy HDL cholesterol levels. Additionally, seniors who exercise are less likely to eat unhealthy foods that contribute to high LDL cholesterol. Make sure your loved one has a way to exercise that fits his or her abilities and interests, and encourage adding a social element to keep him or her accountable. 

If your loved one has health conditions or mobility issues that make it challenging to exercise alone safely, a trained caregiver can provide support. When considering senior home care, families should make sure their senior loved ones have the resources they need to maintain their independence and remain healthy. Trusted in-home care professionals can assist seniors with daily tasks like cooking, bathing, and exercise, and they can also encourage them to focus on healthier lifestyle habits.

Omit Unhealthy Fats

People who primarily eat low-fat diets tend to have fewer heart attacks and strokes. Although it may be difficult to limit red meat and fried foods, those who do could lower their cholesterol by as much as 20 percent. Whenever possible, your loved one should be encouraged to eat lean meats like fish accompanied by heart-healthy vegetables. 

Eating more nutritious meals is just one of the many ways older adults can boost their health. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional at-home care. Boca Raton, FL, Angel Touch Home Care is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.

Include Nuts during Snack Time

When your loved one craves a snack, nuts are an excellent option, since most types can lower LDL cholesterol. This is because they contain sterols that work like fiber to keep cholesterol from staying in the body. Many nuts are also a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can also have a powerful effect on lowering cholesterol. 

From exercising to preparing healthy foods, there are several tasks seniors may require help with. Every senior has different needs when aging in place. Some simply need occasional assistance with household chores, while others may be managing serious illnesses and require more extensive live-in care. Boca Raton seniors can count on Angel Touch Home Care to provide the in-home care they need and deserve. To learn about our quality-assured services, give us a call today. 

Nearly every adult child who provides home care for an aging parent or grandparent will experience a time when the senior refuses to take medication. As opposed to a senior who may forget to take medicine, one who refuses to take his or her medication presents different and more difficult challenges. 

The first thing any caregiver should do is look for a proactive solution. This includes a talk with your senior loved one to learn why the medication is being refused. If the reason is something simple, such as taste, an equally simple solution may be found. In other cases, look for more creative solutions. Working through the problem rather than trying to force your loved one to take the medicine will save time and patience.

Check for Difficulty Swallowing or Ingesting the Medication

Your loved one may have difficulty swallowing pills, or his or her medication may cause stomach upset. In these situations, talk to the pharmacist to determine if a liquid form is available or whether a substitute medication in another form is an option.

Address Confusion about Why the Medication Is Necessary

This situation is more common than many people understand. But with doctors having less and less time, it often happens that seniors don’t understand the need for their medication. If possible, schedule a consultation with the doctor, who can clearly explain your loved one’s condition, how the medication will help, and the health risks of failing to take the medication as prescribed.

A home caregiver can provide reminders for your loved one to take his or her medication. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of in-home care. You can rely on Angel Touch Home Care to provide an individualized care plan to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health.

Calm Your Parent’s Worries about an Adverse Reaction

All medications come with a slight risk of an adverse reaction. Though the risk may be minimal, it might be enough to frighten your loved one. This fear may be due to your parent not understanding how low the risk actually is. A 1 in 10,000 chance of an adverse reaction is far different from a 50 percent chance. Make sure your loved one understands how small the chance of an adverse reaction may be.

Ensuring your loved one takes medication properly when he or she doesn’t want to can be exhausting. If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior family member and are looking for professional elder care, Boca Raton Angel Touch Home Care should be your top choice. Our dedicated and compassionate caregivers are committed to helping older adults manage their health and enjoy a higher quality of life in the golden years.

Help Your Parent Minimize Side Effects

Many people who take medication experience side effects and eventually try to avoid the medication altogether. Minimizing the effects of the medication may help in some cases. For instance, medications that cause drowsiness should only be given at bedtime (or before a midday nap). Solutions may come from the doctor, pharmacist, or online research. Advice from a support group related to the same medical condition might also be a valuable resource.

In some cases, your loved one may have heard rumors about a potential side effect. For example, your parent may have heard a blood pressure medication causes hair loss. In these instances, if assurances from the doctor or pharmacist don’t help, try finding a person who takes the same medication and ask him or her to speak to your loved one. Often, your loved one may trust someone who uses the medication more than his or her own doctor or caregiver.

Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Boca Raton, FL, Angel Touch Home Care can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to arrange transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home. If you need professional home care for your loved one, our Care Managers are just a phone call away. Reach out to Angel Touch Home Care today.