Understanding the health risks that your aging parent faces is one of the most important things that you can do as their family caregiver to help protect their health and maintain their quality of life as they age in place. Once you are familiar with the risk factors you are able to take steps to reduce those risks and guard their health, or better prepare yourself for the care that you will need to give your senior if they should develop these health problems.
One of the most pressing risks for all seniors is the possibility of a heart attack. While there is no absolute way to eliminate the chances of your parent suffering such an event, there are ways that you can reduce the risk and keep them healthier whether they have never suffered a heart attack or whether you are trying to help them reduce the risk of experiencing a subsequent attack.
Use these tips to help reduce your parent’s risk for a heart attack:
-Encourage them to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet that gives them all of the nutrients that they need to support their body’s functioning and heart health. This includes introducing more fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein, and limiting high fat, high sodium, high sugar, and heavily processed foods.
-Discourage them from consuming excessive amounts of alcohol. It is important to note that the amount of alcohol that is considered safe varies from person to person so you must talk to your parent’s doctor to determine what is healthy for them.
-If they smoke or use tobacco in any way, support them in quitting. Use of tobacco dramatically increases the risk of a heart attack and every day that your parent does not smoke or use tobacco, they are protecting their health and reducing their risk.
-If your parent is overweight, help them to shed the excess pounds. Being overweight puts additional strain on the heart and makes it more difficult for the body to function effectively.
-Support your parent in getting and staying physically active. Regular exercise helps to support a healthy weight, lowers cholesterol and high blood pressure, and boosts cardiovascular health.
If your aging parent has been dealing with challenges and needs that have become too much for you to handle efficiently due to your own schedule, other obligations, or limitations, or you simply feel that your parent would benefit from additional care and support, starting home care for them may be the ideal solution. An in-home senior care services provider will tailor a set of highly personalized services specifically to your aging parent’s needs to ensure that they can manage these issues in the way that is best for them.
These services can help your parent to stay healthy, safe, comfortable, and happy, while also encouraging them to stay as independent as possible as they age in place. If you live at a distance from your parent or are in the sandwich generation and also care for your children, these services can be particularly beneficial as they ensure that when you must focus your energy and attention on something else, your parent will still get the care that they need to maintain their health, safety, and quality of life.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering homecare in Lafayette, CA, call the caring staff at Aviva In-Home Care. Call today: (415) 795-2203
Source:
https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm
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