Help Your Elderly Loved One Start Improving Their Heart Health Today

The elderly are at a higher risk of heart disease. They are much more likely to have a stroke than the younger generations. This is why it is very important to help your elderly loved one start improving their heart health today. There are many ways to help your elderly loved one. You can encourage them to participate in a regular exercise routine or help them maintain a healthy diet.

Senior Care in Bridgehampton NY: Improving Senior’s Heart Health

Even if your loved one has spent most of their life with poor eating exercising habits, it is never too late for them to improve their heart health. Keep in mind that your elderly loved one should speak with their doctor before starting any new diet or exercise plan.

Improving Their Diet

Some elderly people can be a bit leery when it comes to changing their diet, especially those who love their sweets. However, eating healthier doesn’t mean that they can’t occasionally eat their favorite dessert or snacks they enjoy. It is good to start your loved one off on the right foot when it comes to changing their eating plan. This means you should take it one step at a time. Perhaps, you can tell them to start their new diet routine by just adding one fruit or vegetable to one of their meals a day. If your elderly loved one swaps one of their unhealthy snacks for a piece of fruit, not only will they be on the right track to improving their heart health, but they will also be taking steps to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure levels. In addition, you and their caregivers could encourage them to stop adding so much salt to their food.

Start Them On an Aerobic Exercise Routine

When it comes to aerobic exercise, some elderly adults will say that you are crazy to even think they can participate in doing this type of exercise. If this is the case, explain to your loved one that taking small steps can lead them to be able to do harder workouts. For instance, tell them to simply start with a 10-minute walk, go for a little swim, or find a beginner exercise video online that is designed for the elderly. You should encourage your elderly loved one to only exercise when someone, such as one of their caregivers, is with them.

Going to the Doctor

You must insist your elderly love to go to their doctor for physicals and routine check-ups. This is especially true if they have the following symptoms:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea

Cold sweats

All of these symptoms could be signs of a heart attack. This means that it is very important for your elderly loved one to seek immediate medical care if they are experiencing any of these symptoms.

Conclusion

If you are looking for ways to help your elderly loved one start improving their heart health you can try helping them change their eating and exercise habits. Encourage them to visit their doctor and to speak with their caregivers if they feel different than normal. Remind them that they are never too old to think about improving their heart health.

If you or an aging loved one is considering hiring Senior Care in Bridgehampton, NY, call the caring staff at Artful Home Care today at 631-685-5001.

Sources
Medlineplus.gov
Nhlbi.nih.gov