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Promoting Health and Preventing Chronic Diseases
Posted by Scott Cantin in Nutrition Tips, Senior Health | 0 comments
Many Americans live with one or more chronic diseases that require ongoing medical management. While chronic diseases, like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, can be found in all age groups, the prevalence of these and other chronic conditions is much higher among seniors. Even seniors who do not have a chronic illness are at a greater risk of developing one than younger adults. But by regularly following a few simple tips, you or your elderly loved one can significantly reduce that risk and live a full daily life.
Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise is critical not only to lowering your risk of developing a chronic disease, but also to maintaining high levels of mobility throughout your life. And while the possibility of getting started daunts many Americans, exercise doesn’t require fancy equipment or an expensive gym membership. Regular movement is key. Your routine can start with walking at a speed and distance you feel comfortable with. Weight training is also a good addition as we lose muscle mass with age, which can make us more susceptible to osteoporosis.
Exercise is essential to reducing your risk of developing chronic diseases regardless of age. Make sure to consult your doctor before starting an exercise regimen. And it’s often helpful to do them with someone, such as a friend, family member, or experienced caregiver. Exercising in tandem can help minimize your risk of injury, help you stick to your regimen, and inspire you to push yourself harder than you would have otherwise.
Eat a Proper Diet
Nutrition is also vital to staving off chronic diseases. In fact, many chronic diseases stem from poor nutrition, such as stroke, diabetes, and heart disease. Excess consumption of processed foods, complex carbohydrates, and sugars can greatly increase your risk, as can carrying extra weight as you age. But regularly eating a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and carbohydrates can keep you healthy.
Further, combining proper nutrition with exercise is vital if you’re looking to shed extra pounds or stay slim. In most cases, exercise won’t do it alone. Proper nutrition is also vital to getting quality sleep, which is another way to keep chronic diseases at bay.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep
We often sacrifice sleep when we’re overcommitted, stressed out, or even having a good time. Worse, many of us have developed bad habits that degrade our sleep quality. These habits include using electronics until we fall asleep, sleeping at irregular intervals, sleeping fewer hours than needed, napping excessively, and using stimulants too close to bedtime.
While we overlook sleep, consistent nightly sleep is a core healthy living component. Poor sleep quality is a substantial risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, chronic decline, and dementia, among other conditions.
Reduce Alcohol and Avoid Tobacco Consumption
The older you get, the larger an effect alcohol has on your overall health. Not only will you likely feel its effects more quickly, but it will take longer for your body to metabolize. Moreover, it’s strongly correlated with several chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, and many types of cancer, among others. And if you already have mobility issues, excessive alcoholic consumption can increase your risk of slips and falls.
Tobacco and tobacco products are a strong risk factor for developing certain kinds of cancer at any age. If you’re still smoking the occasional cigarette or two, it’s best to cut out tobacco products entirely. That includes vaping as well.
Seek Professional Help
Whether you’re in relatively good shape or already managing a chronic condition, it’s best to seek professional help. Professional help means regular check-ups with your primary care physician (and specialists as needed) to ensure everything is in order. If you’re struggling with depression, anxiety, or another mental health condition, regularly seeing a therapist can help as well. Moreover, no matter what health conditions you’re managing, it’s best to do so with the aid of qualified caregiver services in Miami.
Senior care is a crucial component of chronic disease prevention. A qualified and experienced caregiver can help support your dietary and nutrition plans, help with housekeeping tasks you now find challenging and ensure you’re able to visit medical professionals as needed. Research has shown that adults of all ages who are physically and emotionally isolated from others suffer worse health outcomes than others. Caregivers can help you travel to visit friends and loved ones in your community and provide companionship to you as well.
With Florida’s dense population of retirees, senior care in Miami is a robust industry. But not all caregiver services in Miami are created equal. When it comes to your care or that of your loved one, you want an agency that employs highly trained and personable caregivers with experience dealing with individuals with chronic conditions. You want an agency that provides flexible service, ranging from a few hours a week of light housekeeping to 24-7 in-home care services in Miami. And you want an agency that puts your or your loved one’s health first.
Learn more about the Advancare advantage. Contact us today to discuss your caregiving needs.
6 Best Ways Seniors Can Manage Diabetes
Posted by Scott Cantin in elderly care, Nutrition Tips, Senior Health | 0 comments
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in every four seniors lives with diabetes. Seniors are often prone to the most called “lifestyle disease” due to aging, reduction in physical activity, weight gain, and metabolism that continuously slows down since youth, including other factors. However, the good news is that seniors can live a happy and active life with diabetes. In this blog, the premier senior home care in Miami-Dade provides six ways of managing diabetes as a senior and how caregiver services in Miami can improve the quality of life for seniors living with diabetes.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic disease caused by the inability to produce enough insulin, or the body has developed insulin resistance. This results in high blood sugar levels as the body fails to synthesize glucose for energy. There are two types of diabetes. The first type (Type 1) is when the body is unable to produce insulin, while the second type (Type 2) is caused when the body develops resistance to insulin.
Tips for Managing Diabetes
Most seniors are at risk of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Besides old age, other factors that may lead to this type of diabetes are reduced activity, obesity, and poor metabolism. Below are tips that In-home care services in Miami propose to seniors living with diabetes for happy and healthy lives.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
There is no better approach to managing diabetes in seniors than maintaining a healthy diet. As a senior, it is advisable to maintain a steady diet with low sugar and saturated fats. Instead, opt for a diet with high protein and fiber. This includes more whole grains, plant proteins, and vegetables. Avoid fatty foods, dairy, carbonated drinks, fruit juice and fried foods.
Monitor Your Blood Sugar
This is an essential part of maintaining blood sugar and diabetes care. You may do it yourself or with the assistance of your caregiver. Check blood sugar levels and administer insulin with advice from your medical professional.
Take Your Medication
In most cases, seniors living with diabetes are on a prescription that keeps blood sugar in check. Be sure to take your medication daily and on time as your medical professional prescribes. Missing medication may imbalance blood sugar levels, which may be dangerous for your health. In this case, use a pill organizer to help you avoid missing medication. You may also use tablet or smartphone apps to remind you when to take your medication. Other products may also prompt you to check and note your blood sugar levels.
Reduce Stress
High-stress levels can impact blood sugar levels, often leading to spikes. According to the American Institute of Stress, stress negatively influences the body’s ability to respond to age-related conditions. To remedy this, consider yoga, walks, massage, or adopting a pet to keep you company. Pets reduce stress and promote better quality of life.
Stay Active
In addition to seeking home care services, you also need to keep your body active to complement all the management tips above. Regular activity will help your body develop the need for glucose; therefore, the body can syntesixe more sugars. Activity also helps increase metabolism and reduce weight. In light of this, engage in an activity such as walking, jogging, yoga, or starting a water aerobics class. Exercise also helps promote an overall healthy lifestyle.
Seek Reputable Caregiver Services in Miami
As you advance in age, most activities are not as seamless as before. Most seniors need caregivers who can help them maintain a healthy lifestyle. Whether it is planning their daily activities, preparing meals, or taking medication, Advancare provides the best helpers for the task. We provide in-home senior care services in the Miami area, including North Miami, Kendall, Gables, Aventure, Miami Beach, Homestead, Coral Gables, Sunny Isle, and Ft. Lauderdale. Contact us at (305) 441-9794 today for a free estimate.
Meals for Seniors: Planning and Prep to Boost Your Health in Miami
Posted by Scott Cantin in Nutrition Tips, Senior Health | 0 comments
Proper nutrition and healthy eating are important for everybody, but for seniors, eating well can make a huge difference in their physical health and well-being. If a senior is not eating enough or not eating healthy foods, it can lead to serious health issues. The problem is that some seniors may find it difficult to prepare healthy meals, as physical and mental conditions can prevent them from doing so.
Meal planning and preparation for the elderly is one of the many in-home senior care services provided by the professionals at Advancare. When preparing meals for seniors, certain requirements must be met, and every person has different dietary needs. Here is what you should consider when considering hiring a senior meal planning service.
What Do Elderly Need in Their Diet?
As people age, their bodies start to have different needs. These nutrients are especially important for seniors according to the USDA.
- Calcium and vitamin D: These vitamins help to maintain bone health. Sources include dark green vegetables, canned fish, and plant-based beverages.
- Vitamin B12: Some older adults may not be able to absorb enough vitamin B12, which is found in fortified cereals, lean meat, and some fish and seafood.
- Potassium: Consuming the right amount of potassium may lower a senior’s risk of high blood pressure.
Our Caregivers Provide Meal Prep and Planning Services in the Comfort of Your Home in Miami
One of the many in-home senior care services provided by Advancare is meal planning and preparation. We will take the time to get to know your senior and their individual nutritional needs in order to prepare them healthy meals. The services we offer are highly customizable, so whether your senior needs meals just a couple of times per week or every day, we can work with you.
Why Trust Us for Senior Meal Planning
Why should you trust the professional caregivers at Advancare to prepare meals for your senior?
- Experience: All of our caregivers are industry professionals who are personally screened and fully bonded. They receive continuing education that is exclusive to Advancare.
- Compassion
- Focus on nutrition
- Taste Matters: We want to focus on making the most of every meal
Considerations
When planning and preparing meals for your senior, our caregivers will take the following into careful consideration:
- Dietary restrictions, allergies, etc
- Genetic factors that may affect health
- Doctor recommendations
Nutritional Goals
Nutritional goals will vary based on the individual senior, but most people aim for the following:
- Losing weight
- Gaining muscle
- Maintaining their current good health
Our Process
When you work with Advancare for our meal planning and preparation services, our process is as follows:
- We plan and consult your dietitian and follow doctor recommendations
- We shop for quality and fresh ingredients
- We help make and prep the food
Get in Touch to Get Started with a Meal Planner in Miami
If you are ready to take your senior’s nutrition to the next level and simplify their meal planning, contact Advancare today at 305-441-9794.
Why is Healthy Eating Important for the Elderly in Miami-Dade?
Posted by Scott Cantin in Nutrition Tips, Senior Care | 0 comments
A healthy lifestyle and a nutritious diet are particularly crucial for seniors due to their benefits. A healthy diet helps strengthen muscles, improve brain function, and boost immunity. That’s why our team at Advancare encourages our elderly community to maintain an active lifestyle and eat healthfully. We hire professional caregivers to plan meals and prepare them for seniors in Miami-Dade who need help with their nutrition. A healthy diet contributes to healthy aging. You can contact us anytime to learn more about our services and why you should trust us with any situation your senior loved one may have.
Healthy Eating Tips for Seniors
Despite being a crucial subject for the elderly, many don’t follow a healthy diet. According to the National Resources Center on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Aging, one in four older Americans have poor nutrition. We recommend eating foods rich in fiber, minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients to meet your nutritional needs. Limit foods high in processed sugars, trans fats, and salt. Here are a few tips to promote healthy eating in seniors.
Research Nutrients Your Body Needs
While you will be required to eat more vitamins, fiber, minerals, and other nutrients, your body has specific nutritional needs. The portions and daily intake vary from one person to another. Researching your specific nutrients or consulting your doctor about your nutritional needs can help you stay on the right path.
Focus on Nutrient-Rich Foods
As you age, your daily calorie needs reduce drastically while your nutrient needs increase. Eating nutrient-rich foods helps give your body the vitamins, minerals, and fats you need to boost immunity, strengthen bones, and increase brain function. Our meal planning can help ensure you eat the right foods daily to improve your overall well-being.
Eat Enough Fiber
Fiber is critical in your digestive system as it helps prevent constipation and other problems. Include fiber-rich foods in every meal, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, lentils, oats, nuts, and seeds.
Choose Healthier Convenience Foods
If you live independently and depend on convenient foods, choose the healthiest options available. They should be easy to prepare and full of nutrients. Check the labels to ensure they have less sugar and saturated fats but contain more fiber, minerals, and vitamins.
Consider Supplements
Sometimes, it isn’t easy to keep up with all the foods you need to eat to get all the nutrients. Either because you may not afford all of them regularly or may not be able to prepare them, and that’s where supplements come in. While we recommend getting nutrients from the diet, what’s most important is that you get the quality and quantity your body needs every day. Your doctor may prescribe these for you based on your needs.
Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of liquids, including fresh water, every day. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty. Carry your bottle everywhere you go. You can supplement your fluid intake with fresh juice, tea, soup, and water-full fruits such as pineapples and watermelons.
Stay Social
Your overall health depends on your daily activities. Instead of sleeping the whole day or sitting in a small room, go out and get some sunshine, talk to people, and stay social. You can visit your family or have them come over and eat together. Social interactions make mealtimes fun and enjoyable.
Need Our Help? We’re Here for You
Whether you need someone to prepare meals for you, perform light housekeeping duties, manage your medication, assist you in bathing and grooming, run errands, and provide transportation, we can help. Our caregivers are highly trained to handle seniors ensuring they live happily, healthily, comfortably, and safely in their homes. Contact us today to know how we can help you.
Simple Nutrition Tips for Seniors in Miami Dade
Posted by Scott Cantin in Nutrition Tips, Senior Health | 0 comments
As you age, eating healthfully and having an active lifestyle becomes more important than ever before. Your eating habits are also likely to change depending on weight and body changes. Simple adjustments go a long way toward building a healthier eating pattern and maintaining an active, independent lifestyle.
At Advancare, we emphasize developing a healthy eating plan with more focus on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat dairy. In this post, we will help you learn some simple nutrition tips you or your caregiver can implement to maintain your overall well-being.
Ways to Eat Well as You Get Older
As you age, metabolism slows down, and your bones, muscles, and immunity also weaken, increasing the chances of developing chronic illnesses. To stay healthy and independent for the longest time, consider:
- Taking foods with fewer calories, such as nuts, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat-free milk, or cheese
- Choosing fruits with low fat or cholesterol, especially if you need to avoid saturated fats
- Being physically active by walking more
- Avoiding empty calories or foods with fewer nutrients and more calories, such as chips, soda, and candy
- Drinking plenty of fluids to keep your body hydrated and your skin in healthy condition
- Focusing on protein-rich foods such as peas, beans, and lentils to build muscle strength
- Reducing sodium intake by using lemon juice or herbs
How Food Can Affect the Quality of Life
Good nutrition is vital for all ages. However, seniors are likely to have more challenges when it comes to choosing foods, cooking, eating, and digesting these foods. Apart from slow metabolism, teeth and gum problems, lack of appetite, inability to cook for themselves, and illnesses are other causes of poor nutrition among older adults. However, with good nutrition, a senior can develop energy, independence, and a healthy mental state and reduce the chances of developing chronic illnesses. Poorly fed seniors have weaker immunity, may lose weight, and are likely to need caregiving services more than those who eat a healthy diet.
What Are the Changing Nutritional Needs in Older Adults?
Your calorie level needs to decrease as you grow older. Generally, calorie needs vary from one person to another depending on muscle mass, weight, height, and activity level. Eating the same amount of calories as you did when younger can lead to fat build-up in the body if you’re not active. Cutting calorie levels means replacing them with other vital nutrients for an aging body.
Ideally, you’re looking for foods that will help build muscle strength, increase bone density, improve brain functioning, increase appetite and enhance immunity. That means focusing on proteins, vegetables, and fruits that provide your body with vitamins and minerals that help maintain a healthy body.
Ways of Improving Nutritional Health in Seniors
Here are a few ways to improve nutrition as you age:
- Plan your meals
- Follow the recommended servings
- Read nutritional labels before taking or buying food or supplements
- Invest in supplements to boost your nutrient intake
- If you have a condition affecting your feeding, such as gum problems, speak to a dentist
- If you have difficulty swallowing, drink plenty of fluids with your meals
- If you have lost the sense of taste and smell, add some color and texture to your food to make it more interesting and attractive
- Include different types of fruits when snacking
- If an illness is making it harder for you to cook or feed yourself, consider home care services
Get in Touch With Caregivers that Provide Nutrition Tips in Miami
At Advancare, we care about your loved one’s health and well-being. That’s why we go out of our way to ensure they are happy, healthy, and comfortable. All our caregivers are qualified and experienced. Reach out to learn more about our services and how we can help restore a smile to your senior loved one’s face.
