Protecting cognitive and overall health is a massive goal that most aging adults share. While this seems like a goal that your aging family member is destined to find impossible, it’s not. The right help from her doctors, you and senior home care services can make health management so much easier.
Talk to Your Senior’s Medical Providers
If your aging family member is ready to make changes to her health, including cognitive health, the first step is seeing her doctor. Her doctor can help your senior understand her current health and any risk factors. You can develop a plan that meets your senior’s needs once you have some information.
Make Some Changes to Her Diet
Dietary changes impact overall health and brain health much more than most people realize. Your senior’s diet provides her body with the nutrients it needs to function. If her diet lacks nutrient-dense foods, your senior may need to make some changes. Senior home care providers can help prepare meals and ensure your senior is eating them. If there are other food-related issues, they can let you know so you can take the next steps.
Encourage Her to Eat Breakfast and Other Meals
Lots of seniors skip meals, most often breakfast. But that old saying that breakfast is the most important meal has some truth. If your elderly family member starts eating breakfast, it jump-starts her body for the day with fuel that it needs. This is another area where senior home care professionals can be tremendously helpful. They can ensure that breakfast is easy for your senior to access, and that it includes balanced nutrition.
Bump Up Her Activity Levels
If your elderly family member isn’t as active as she used to be, that’s not unusual at all. But increasing her activity level might be exactly what she needs. First, exercise helps your senior hang onto her muscles, regain her balance, and protect her mobility. Being vital for brain health, exercise also improves circulation. Make sure your elderly family member’s doctor agrees that it’s safe for her to exercise before she starts.
Look at Other Solutions that Might Help
What other areas of your senior’s life challenge her right now? If she’s spending a lot more time alone, that can be a warning sign. Spending time with senior home care providers offers her a chance to socialize with people who want to help her. Another solution might be to help your senior find hobbies that she finds engaging.
There are many ways to help your senior stay healthy in both body and brain. The key is to look at what she is already doing to spot areas where she might need more help.
Providing exceptional Senior Home Care for seniors and families in the Northern Virginia area, including Arlington, Alexandria, McLean, Reston, Burke, Ashburn, Centreville, Springfield, Manassas, and Oakton. Call today to speak with our caring staff: (703) 272-8838.
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