It’s important to adopt healthy living practices throughout life. However, with age, healthy habits become even more essential for overall health and wellness. Because the elderly may become more susceptible to diseases, infections, colds, and advanced conditions, implementing the right strategies can ensure a strengthened immune system for optimal health and longevity. Here are a few ways for seniors to boost their overall health and strengthen their immune systems.
Eat Healthy
Senior diets are often missing variety. A combination of vegetables, fruits, vitamins D, C, and E, and whole grains is essential to keep illnesses and diseases at bay. If you’re having difficulty determining the right eating plan for your senior loved one, seek help from a nutritionist, who can determine which foods should be incorporated into your loved one’s diet for his or her individual needs.
A home caregiver can help your loved one prepare nutritious meals. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of elder care. You can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide an individualized care plan to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.
Get Vaccinated
While the debate around vaccinations is ongoing, research has shown that both COVID and flu vaccinations are effective for a large percentage of older adults. Seniors who get vaccinations on a regular basis have been shown to significantly reduce their rate of illnesses and death.
Limit Stress
Isolation, social anxiety, and financial worry can take a toll on an elderly individual. However, significant amounts of stress can do harm to a body, leaving a person’s immune system vulnerable to illnesses and diseases. Aid your loved one in reducing stress levels by helping with daily tasks, such as household chores, meal preparation, and transportation to medical and social commitments.
Exercise
Incorporating regular physical activity into a senior’s life each day can relax the mind, promote circulation, and strengthen the heart. Simple activities such as taking a walk, biking, doing yoga, and lifting weights can boost the immune system and stave off infections. Seniors who don’t currently exercise should consult their doctors before starting new regimens, and they should perform exercises under the care of a family member or professional caregiver to ensure safety.
Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional in-home care. Anchorage, AK, 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.
Enjoy a Good Night’s Sleep
Getting a good night’s sleep is a natural way to boost the immune system. It also enhances the way the body responds to illness, inflammation, and stress. Keeping busy throughout the day, following a normal schedule, and setting the mood for slumber can help your loved one get a good night’s rest.
Boosting the immune system helps seniors prevent illnesses such as the flu and pneumonia, which can lead to more significant health issues. Living with serious health conditions can make it challenging for seniors to age in place. However, they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional live-in care. Anchorage seniors can benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more. Home Care Assistance will work with you to customize a care plan that’s just right for your loved one’s needs. Call us today at (907) 770-0907 to discuss how we can give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved one is being cared for with professionalism and compassion.