elderly health Archives - Smart Health Shop

5 Ways You Can Stay in Shape After 65

If you or someone you care for is approaching 65, you’ve probably already noticed some health and wellness changes. However, these changes do not have to result in a substantial decrease in activity. By staying in shape, adults of all ages can keep their energy levels high.

Through these five proven diet and exercise methods, seniors can retain a youthful schedule and stay in shape after 65.

1. Eat Healthy Foods

Much of the work that is done to keep a senior in shape occurs in the kitchen and dining room. There are several key eating habits and healthy foods that a senior should try to work into their life.

Complex carbohydrates, for instance, play a vital role in maintaining an active lifestyle for any adult. These are the foods that store and release energy in a healthy and efficient way.

You’ll want to introduce more whole grains into your diet, especially as a replacement for any simple carbohydrates you are eating, like white bread or junk food. As a rule of thumb: if it is processed, then it isn’t a healthy complex carbohydrate.

This change will bring two benefits that will make staying in shape easier. First, you’ll be cutting out foods that produce extra bodily fat, keeping you in better shape. Second, complex carbohydrates will give you the energy you need to exercise – a must for anyone looking to stay in shape.

2. Supplements

There are also several supplements you should consider consuming. These extra vitamins and minerals will help fine-tune your diet for a healthy lifestyle.

Potassium can be difficult for many older adults to absorb naturally from food in the same way as young people. However, potassium is essential for many different bodily processes. For many of the same reasons, magnesium should be consumed regularly. Omega-3 fatty acids are also highly beneficial to seniors trying to stay in shape after 65 as they can help to slow several types of age-related degradation.

3. Stretching

Source

A regular stretching routine has several benefits for seniors looking to stay in shape. Firstly, it promotes blood flow, which has many health advantages of its own. Second, it loosens muscles and increases flexibility, which is invaluable for injury prevention. Preventing injuries will keep you healthy for our next two tips for staying in shape beyond 65.

Remember, it’s not about the amount of time you take in stretching, it’s about how many times in the day or week you stretch. Stretching more often instead of stretching for longer periods of time will increase flexibility and improve mobility.

4. Cardio

A healthy heart is essential to staying in shape. Even a brief daily walk (around 30 minutes) can do wonders for your health.

Proper heart health prevents heart attacks and other cardiovascular complications. Additionally, a healthy heart increases your energy levels, making it easier to maintain other aspects of your health.

5. Strength Training

Strength training might seem like a younger person’s exercise; however, many of the same movements are perfect for aging adults. There is also a wide variety of strength training chair exercises for seniors that are safe, simple, and effective. These exercises can be a part of your daily routine anywhere because they only require a chair and maybe a couple of household items.

Additionally, increased skeletal muscle strength can do wonders for anyone experiencing issues with balance or falling.

Parting Thoughts

As you get older, your body is going to need a bit more leeway when working to stay in shape after 65. Older adults are more prone to injury, so be very careful and remember that your safety is the most important thing.

Try not to become frustrated if you don’t see results as fast as you expect. Your body might not be as responsive to exercise and diet as it once was, but you will eventually see the benefits of eating healthy food and exercising.

Author’s Bio:

Joseph Jones has been writing senior care and aging-related articles for years. He got his start while writing for a personal blog before he was offered to work at California Mobility in 2018 as the Content Marketing Manager, creating highly informative guides and health awareness articles for aging adults.

He’s currently contributing to a variety of blogs in the senior health industry in hopes to spread information about taking care of seniors and what to expect in the aging process.

Sources:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/aging/art-20046070

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/imagepages/19529.htm

https://medlineplus.gov/potassium.html

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002423.htm

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4210907/

https://www.asccare.com/the-benefits-of-stretching-exercises-for-seniors/

https://californiamobility.com/21-chair-exercises-for-seniors-visual-guide/

https://www.verywellfit.com/cardio-exercise-guidelines-for-seniors-1230952

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3885846/

What to Look for When Shopping for Ideal Chairs for Seniors

Sitting adds too much pressure on your spine. You have probably heard of individuals who have suffered spine related issues due to bad sitting posture. Yes, that’s right. If you do not get the best posture, it does not matter if you have been sitting on a very expensive chair or not; you are prone to suffering from backaches and other conditions.

The elderly, especially, need to have well-designed chairs as they are likely to spend most of their time sitting in the house as their mobility reduces with age. Comfort is therefore crucial in this case. You might notice that they may start complaining about aches and pain when on the chair and they even want to spend more time on the bed to avoid the discomfort. The best way to solve such issues is by taking your time and getting them a suitable chair that will suit their needs.

Which is the ideal chair for older adults? The answer to this question may vary from one person to the other based on every individual’s needs. There is a variety of options on the market, and sometimes it can be hard to choose the best. It is vital to be informed to ensure that you are making a sound decision. Let’s look at some of the main features to look for when shopping for elders.

Comfort, comfort!

Comfort is the number one feature to go for, be it for the elderly or the young. What’s the purpose of sitting if you cannot feel comfortable in that position? In this position, you should be feeling relaxed and less tired. You do not want a chair that strains your body, and you end up feeling like you have been working so hard while you were just seated. Chairs, in this case, are meant to reduce the amount of time the seniors spend in bed and improve their quality life, and you should, therefore, go for something that does exactly that.

Provision of head support

For seniors who have poor head control, you need to get additional head support to ensure that they do not strain too much trying to stay straight. Also, make sure that the support is soft and comfortable by maybe going for ones structured like pillows. The goal is to offer support to the head, neck and the spine. Head control affects other aspects such as breathing and eating. Having the head support feature on the seat saves you the hassle of trying to support them with your hands every time you want to feed them, and it is crucial for their health.

Feet rest

The feet are as important as the rest of the body. Approximately 19% of your body weight is exerted on the feet. As mentioned earlier, the elders have a declined mobility which means that their feet will experience little movement time, no stretching or exercises. It is therefore vital to check a chair with a place where they can load their feet for stability and pressure redistribution in their body. This ensures that even if they are not moving, their legs will remain in good condition.

Does the chair have wheels?

This is not mandatory, but it is necessary for easier movement around the home or care facility. It will make work easier for the caregiver to move the senior from one point to the next. Also, the elderly can conveniently move by themselves if there is no one around.

Pressure management

If the seniors are sitting for long hours and they cannot shift their weight whenever they feel like a position is getting uncomfortable, they will end up with body pain and especially the back. This can be avoided by getting a seat that is offering pressure management. It not only increases comfort but also reduces the chances of getting body sores.

Consider the chair’s height

Some people believe that they need a low chair to feel comfortable. However, that is not the case. The height of the chair might also depend on the person’s height. You do not want them to feel like they have to bed their body to place their feet on the floor comfortably. Also, do not go for too high as this will put too much pressure on their things and back.

Width and depth

A good seat should be able to the user’s breadth and the depth comfortably. Also, the seat should be able to take as much weight as the user may put on it.

Do not forget the material

The material is one of the major determinants of a chair’s comfort. A chair that is showing too much wood isdefinitely not the best choice to go for. It should have enough padding or a fabric cloth for comfort when sitting for long hours.

Posture is everything. The hands should be free to interact, consider the head’s balance over the body and ensure that the spine and pelvis are straight. These three should be able to guide you and help you get the right chair for your loved one for an improved lifestyle and enhanced health. All the best!

Are you a senior citizen? Here are 4 amazing ways to stay healthy

As you advance in age, there are many different changes that occur in your life, some positive and others negative. When it comes to health, this is one area where senior citizens tend to experience more challenges compared to their younger counterparts. According to the National Council on Aging, about 80% of older adults suffer from at least one chronic disease, and 77% suffer from at least two. This clearly shows that there is a need for you as a senior citizen to safeguard your health and well-being in every possible way. So, since you are aware of the importance of living a healthy lifestyle, how are you supposed to go about it? Here are 4 tips on how to live a healthy lifestyle as a senior citizen:

1. Natural supplements

Have you been experiencing persistent pain and discomfort in your body? Do you suffer from sluggishness and fatigue? All these are common problems that senior citizens often experience. Pain and discomfort can be a hindrance to enjoying life with your family and friends. However, you’ll be happy to know that there is a solution. By visiting https://www.renasorganic.com/ you will be able to receive a wide variety of excellent and effective supplements. They are made using the finest natural ingredients including CBD which is proven to have amazing anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties.

2. Diet

Eating a balanced diet plays a key role in improving your overall health as a senior citizen. Even if you have spent many years eating unhealthy foods, be encouraged because it is not too late to change your diet. By introducing more fresh fruits and vegetables, you will see a great change in your energy levels and overall immunity. You can start with the fruits and vegetables that you really enjoy. Increase them in your diet. In turn, they will motivate you to try out others. Furthermore, you can look for recipes that prepare delicious, healthy meals. Eating healthy doesn’t automatically mean bland and boring food. In addition, don’t forget to drink plenty of water since this helps to keep your cells properly hydrated at all times.

3. Mental Health

Many times, people care for their physical health while neglecting their mental health. This is a terrible mistake since your emotional well-being often affects your physical well-being. Senior citizens are especially prone to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. In order to avoid this, you should safeguard your mental health by having a solid support system and also seeking the help of a professional therapist if you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed.

4. Exercises

Many lifestyle diseases are caused by a lack of exercise. In order to avoid this, you should do your best to promote healthy living by doing regular exercise. There are many different ways to keep fit, you can choose to begin playing a sport or even join a local gym. Before beginning any exercise program, ensure that your doctor has approved of it in order to avoid injuries. In addition to maintaining healthy habits, it’s also wise to look into medicare insurance plans, just to make sure you get the best possible care, should you ever need it.