Found primarily in meat, fish, eggs, dairy, and other animal products, vitamin B12 is one of the most important nutrients for aging adults. This key vitamin is used to create a lot of important cells in the body, so seniors need at least 2.4 mcg of vitamin B12 per day. However, it’s difficult for seniors to absorb vitamin B12. The…
One of the leading causes of death among seniors is cardiovascular disease. However, the elderly can reduce their odds of developing cardiovascular issues by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Boosting heart health requires a lot of commitment, along with encouragement from family caregivers. Here are some tips on how you can boost your aging parent’s heart health. Serve Low-Sodium Foods The…
Retirement is a phase of life almost everyone looks forward to. It's a time for seniors to relax, enjoy greater freedom, and explore opportunities they didn't have time to look into when they were busy working and raising a family. Far too many older adults make the golden years more difficult than they should be. If your aging loved one…
After providing care to an aging loved one with Alzheimer’s for a while, you may begin to lose sight of some basic concepts that affect his or her health and happiness. Make sure to remind yourself of these essential truths about Alzheimer’s care from time to time so you can always be at your best. 1. Each Stage Requires Different…
With age, mild memory loss is normal and to be expected. However, rampant forgetfulness puts your senior loved one's health, safety, and security at risk. The following fun activities can help the brain encode, consolidate, and retrieve information. 1. Singing in Groups Even in a senior with dementia, music memory is retained. Singing activates the brain regions where these impressions…
A urinary tract infection occurs whenever bacteria infects the urinary tract in harmful levels and causes intense urges to urinate, pain while urinating, fever, and lower back pain. Even a very mild urinary tract infection can be uncomfortable, and if it becomes more severe, it can become a dangerous infection throughout the body. If your senior loved one experiences recurring…
Diabetes can develop in older adults as the body becomes less sensitive to insulin and can no longer metabolize glucose properly. Excessively high levels of sugar in the blood can lead to nerve damage, slow healing, and a variety of other issues. Even when it is properly treated and managed, diabetes can cause a lot of health risks. Try the…
Caring for a senior loved one with Parkinson’s disease comes with certain challenges. Since this disease has no cure, caregivers can expect to provide ongoing care for their family member. Parkinson’s disease also becomes progressively worse, which makes it important to keep the following tips in mind. 1. Stay Organized Use a calendar or app to keep track of your…
When diabetes is not managed correctly, it can have devastating effects on the body, causing serious damage to the eyes, kidneys, feet, heart, and more. If your senior loved one is at high risk for diabetes, there are some things you can do to help him or her prevent it or delay it as long as possible. Encourage Switching to…
Eating healthy in the golden years is as critical as it is during childhood and adolescence. Because many older adults have a smaller appetite, it's important that the foods they eat are rich in nutrients. Encourage your senior loved one to include the following superfoods in his or her diet for good health. 1. Tomatoes Tomatoes are extremely high in…