High cholesterol is something that seniors need to be aware of. More than half of the people in the United States over the age of 20 have at least slightly high cholesterol. Seniors tend to have high cholesterol as they age.
High cholesterol increases the risk for strokes, heart attacks, heart disease, and death. Seniors who have high cholesterol should be taking medication to help lower their cholesterol. Home care can help seniors make sure that they take their cholesterol medication the way that they should. But there are some other things that seniors can do to fight high cholesterol too like:
Eat A Balanced Diet
For seniors a healthy diet is the building block for good health. Seniors should avoid fad diets and eat a sensible diet instead. Nutrition experts recommend that seniors eat a diet that is mostly plants, some fruit, whole grains, and lean protein like fish, turkey, and chicken. Red meat is something that seniors should eat sparingly. Seniors who add more vegetables to their diets often see a decrease in unhealthy cholesterol. Seniors should also eat foods like oats, lentils, quinoa, and avocados.
Regular Exercise
Daily exercise is a fantastic way for seniors to help their health. Getting at least 30 minutes of moderate activity every day can improve cardiovascular health, help seniors maintain a healthy weight, and increase good cholesterol levels.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
It’s common for seniors to struggle to maintain a healthy weight. But weight does have a big impact on overall health. Seniors who are overweight need to lose weight. Seniors that are at a healthy weight need to maintain that weight. Being overweight can increase bad cholesterol and triglycerides in seniors.
Quit Smoking
Smoking is unhealthy at any age. But, it can be worse for seniors. Smoking increases the risk of heart disease. It also damages blood vessels and causes respiratory illnesses. But many smokers don’t know that smoking also can lower the amount of good cholesterol in the body. There are medications and over the counter products to help seniors quit smoking that can be very effective.
Drink In Moderation
Wine and alcohol in general can have some benefits, but only if seniors are drinking in moderation. Drinking too much or too often can raise cholesterol levels. Having a beer or a glass of wine is fine if it’s done in moderation. But seniors shouldn’t drink to excess.
Manage Stress
Chronic stress can make seniors more likely to develop heart disease and a number of other medical conditions, including high cholesterol. Many seniors that are aging in place are struggling with chronic stress caused by loneliness and other factors. Healthy ways that seniors can manage stress include getting more sleep, yoga, meditation, exercise, and finding hobbies that help alleviate stress like knitting or needlework.
Regular Medical Check-ups
All seniors need to be getting regular medical checkups. There are a lot of health conditions that affect seniors. Your senior parent should be seeing their doctor regularly. And they should be honest with the doctor about their symptoms and risk factors.
If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Milwaukee, WI please contact the caring staff at Talem Home Care & Placement Services today. Call (414) 206-2090
At Talem Home Care of Milwaukee, we provide passionate, understanding, and flexible caregivers in Brookfield, Cudahy, Delafield, Franklin, Greendale, Greenfield, Hales Corners, Milwaukee, Mukwonago, Muskego, New Berlin, Oak Creek, Oconomowoc, Pewaukee, Shorewood, South Milwaukee, Waukesha, Wauwatosa, West Allis and surrounding areas in Wisconsin.
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