Health

Senior Nutrition

Studies on seniors’ eating habits show that many seniors aren’t getting the nutrition their bodies need to help ward off osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart disease, and certain cancers. In fact, poor nutrition and malnutrition have been noted in up to half of today’s elderly population.

One recent study found that 30% of seniors skip at least one meal a day. Another study found that 16% of seniors consume fewer than 1000 calories a day, which is not enough to maintain adequate nutrition. Reasons for these findings vary widely, including physical conditions that can make meal preparation difficult, diminished financial resources or lack of transportation to buy groceries, forgetfulness, depression or loneliness, and dental problems.

To help ensure you are getting enough calories each day, try to keep your kitchen stocked with nutrient-dense, minimally processed foods that are high in calories and nutrients. A healthy diet should include fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, beans/legumes and meat which are all high in protein, dairy products, healthy fats like nut butters, nuts/seeds, and olive oil, and whole grains like brown rice, whole-wheat bread, and whole-grain cereals.

The staff at Angel Care can help ensure your healthy diet by facilitating grocery shopping, meal preparation and meal/medication reminders. Find out more when you contact us.

Exercise for Seniors

No matter your age or physical limitations, getting some physical movement every day can improve your physical fitness, mental outlook, sense of well-being, and overall quality of life. Even a small amount of exercise can offer significant benefits in terms of heart and circulatory health, strength and muscle tone, flexibility, and balance.

The staff at Angel Care can help ensure you get enough—and the right kind of—physical movement by coordinating with your team of health care practitioners to determine what types of exercises are advisable for you. Find out more when you contact us.