Senior Health Tips Biography
Source:- Google.com.pk
Healthy Lifestyle Changes for Seniors
Diet and exercise are the cornerstones of a healthy life for seniors. Participating in regular exercise and adhering to a healthy diet can have a noticeable impact in their general well-being.
Conditions such as osteoporosis, arthritis, heart disease, high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes, high cholesterol, dementia, depression, and some cancers can be prevented or more easily treated in seniors with good diet, exercise, and other lifestyle modifications.
Important life style modifications other than diet and exercise to promote senior health include:
• Moderate alcohol use, not more than one drink per day
• Smoking cessation
• Sun protection and skin moisturizers
• Routine dental care with brushing, flossing, and regular dentist visits
• Regular primary care doctor visits and review of medication list, side effects, and drug interactions interactions
• Involvement in their own health care decision and development of advance directives
• Health care screening, preventive measures, and vaccinations (immunizations)
• Eye doctor and foot doctor visits for individuals with diabetes
• Adequate sleep and good sleep hygiene
• Social activities and vacations
• Some seniors do well because they still enjoy work or volunteering
Diet for Seniors
Benefits of a healthy diet in promoting well-being cannot be over-emphasized. Heart and lung diseases, vascular (blood vessel) disease,diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure(hypertension), high blood cholesterol, strokes, memory deficit, osteoporosis, variety of cancers, skin diseases, and visual problems are all known to be impacted by the type of diet we consume.
Most tissues in the human body are made up of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water. A balanced and healthy diet consisting of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and fiber is essential in providing these important elements. Vitamins and mineral supplements and adequate fluid intake are also considered critical by many physicians. Currently, a number of physicians suggest that reduced dietary portions of meat, eggs, and dairy products should be considered.
The size of food portion is also as important as the quality of food. Intake of calories from food should roughly match the body's metabolic needs. Daily caloric goals of between 1500 and 2000 are generally recommended in most adults. Being aware of the amount of calories consumed on a daily basis can help achieve these goals and prevent over and under eating.
Avoiding foods with empty calories are also essential. These are foods with high calories and limited nutritional values. Sodas, chips, cookies, donuts, and alcohol are some examples of commonly consumed foods with empty calories.
Other specific dietary guidelines pertaining to particular conditions may be recommended. For example, limited carbohydrate intake for people with diabetes, or low salt intake for people with heart disease is commonly advised.
It's never too late to go healthy. Anybody, young or old, can successfully redesign the way they live to be healthier. While we don't have a say in our own genetic makeup, greater than 50 percent of our mental and physical health status is related to lifestyle. You can even start small: ride public transportation, reconnect with a long-lost friend, join a ballroom dance class, or follow guidelines on how to safely move around the community. The point is, try something new and be willing to learn.
Take control of your health. Appreciate the relationship between what you do, how you feel, and their impact on your well-being. Our research suggests that social and productive activities are as important as physical ones for staying healthy. As we age, even deceptively simple or downright mundane pursuits like reading the newspaper, cooking a potluck dish, walking the dog, or going to church have a powerful influence on our physical and mental health.
Know thyself. The guiding principle of Socrates rings just as true today as it did in ancient Athens. Lifestyle changes are most sustainable when they fit into the fabric of your everyday life -- your interests, schedule, and self-concept. Identify supports on your journey that are strong enough to counterbalance the obstacles you face. Set goals that are challenging but still realistic enough to be achieved.
Anticipate how chronic conditions may affect your plan. Over 70 percent of seniors age 65 and older have a chronic condition, such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, COPD, or cataracts. Don't let these impede your progress. Before a big game, elite athletes visualize their performance in their minds' eye. So too should you be prepared for the potential ways you might have to adapt or improvise. And, of course, consult your physician in advance about any new activities.
Living longer can also mean living better. Our research demonstrates that maintaining a mix of productive, social, physical, and spiritual activities as you age can lead to increased vitality, social function, mental health, and life satisfaction, along with decreased symptoms of depression and self-reported bodily pain. Even better, activity-centric lifestyle interventions to ward off illness and disability may also be more cost-effective and have fewer negative side effects than prescription drugs.
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