Wellness Tips For Seniors To Maintain Good Health Health

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WellnessTips For Seniors

Taking care of the health needs that we seniors need to be concerned about can be an overwhelming task.

In this post, we will be looking at some things that we need to be on top of to be healthy and to stay healthy

It is said that people who had good healthy habits when they were younger tend to become healthy seniors, but it is never too late. To practice good healthy habits

Good health habits can make a difference even to seniors who are prone to illness or have not made their health a priority in the past.

Eating Healthy.

Because as we age the digestive system slows down it is very important that we eat more of high-fiber fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and we are also are prone to dehydration,

I know for me I have to force myself to drink water some times I forget to drink water and what I think is the real reason I tend to want to go to the bathroom often when I drink a lot of water.

Tips in healthy eating

Make you choose foods from the food groups that are considered to be the building blocks for a healthy diet.

Read the Nutrition Facts label

The healthiest foods are natural foods. Natural foods are usually found in the produce, meat, and dairy sections of the grocery store.

But if you are not able to get fresh foods then be a smart shopper, read the labels to find items that best suited for your health. Here is a website that will show how to read the nutritional facts on a label https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutrition-basics/understanding-food-nutrition-labels.

Prevention is important

Preventing a disease is much better than going through the process and expense of curing a disease.

Some of the preventative measures that can be taken are health screenings for cholesterol levels, colon cancer, heart problems, and more, fortunately for some of us, these screenings are available to us through our Medicare coverage.

Seniors also need to get vaccinations or flu shots to help with preventing influenza and pneumonia.

According to WebMD  Older adults and people with chronic diseases are more likely to have problems from the flu. It often leads to a hospital stay, and sometimes it can be fatal. But this condition is easy to prevent, and the proper steps can keep you healthy during flu season.

Get information on medication management.

It is always good to ask your DR about your medication to find out the benefits of taking the medication and any possible side effects.

Also, consider possible drug interactions and take note of any new symptoms you may have such as  (allergic reactions, drowsiness, loss of appetite, and others) and if any of these reactions are noted please get in touch with your doctor as soon as possible.

mental health.

As we age the possibility of having problems with mental health increases, The Geriatric Mental Health Foundation recommends that seniors do crossword puzzles, read and write and try new hobbies to stimulate their minds and engage with the world around them. Activities like these can ward off a decline in mental health.

Also, it is important to get a good night’s rest, sleep is very important to us as we age, and insomnia is very prevalent among seniors,  so try to make your bedroom as comfortable as possible, the right temperature, comfortable mattress, and right lightening.

  Care for our EyeSight

Our eyesight tends to deteriorate with age and we need glasses to help with our sight. We must remember to have our eyes checked every year especially if we use prescription glasses.

We need to have them checked every year for changes and have their eyes screened for health issues. Having the right pair of glasses will also reduce the incidents of falls.

 Stay physically active.

According to the CDChttps://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/older_adults/index.htm

Physical Activity is Essential to Healthy Aging

As an older adult, regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. It can prevent many of the health problems that seem to come with age. It also helps your muscles grow stronger so you can keep doing your day-to-day activities without becoming dependent on others.

Keep in mind, some physical activity is better than none at all. Your health benefits will also increase with the more physical activity that you do.

Older adults with chronic conditions should understand whether and how their conditions affect their ability to do regular physical activity safely. When older adults cannot do 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week (for example, 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week) because of chronic conditions, they should be as physically active as their abilities and conditions allow.

Take advantage of free physicals.

During the first 12 months on Medicare, seniors are offered free physicals. After that first year, they receive free annual wellness visits.

Visit the dentist every six months.https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/g/gum-disease

Our risk for cavities goes up with age. Plus, many mouth infections can be linked to serious health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. So seniors should see the dentist regularly.

Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth. It is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Because gum disease is usually painless, you may not know you have it. Also referred to as a periodontal disease, gum disease is caused by plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that is constantly forming on our teeth.

Here are some warning signs that can signal a problem:

• gums that bleed easily
• red, swollen, tender gums
• gums that have pulled away from the teeth
• persistent bad breath or bad taste
• permanent teeth that are loose or separating
• any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• any change in the fit of partial dentures

Some factors increase the risk of developing gum disease. They are:

• poor oral hygiene
• smoking or chewing tobacco
• genetics
• crooked teeth that are hard to keep clean
• pregnancy
• diabetes
• medications, including steroids, certain types of anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, some calcium channel blockers, and oral contraceptives

As we age it is very important to be proactive when it comes to our health, My greatest fear is that I lose my independence as I age, So I do take the necessary steps to keep healthy,

I take my medications, get my checkups especially the ones that do not cost much and are provided by medicare.

I know that sometimes with all the precautions we take, stuff we do not want to happen, do happen, and in my mind, I think I would not feel so bad because I did my part. What do you think? I would like to hear from you.

I do hope you found some helpful information in this post I would appreciate your comments and questions, I will reply please remember to share,

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