Heart disease is a condition that covers a lot of ground in terms of what might be going on with your senior’s health. If she’s been diagnosed with heart disease, her doctor may have given her some very specific recommendations about lifestyle changes she needs to make. These changes may not completely undo the heart disease, but they can make it easier for her to manage the condition.
Her Diet May Need Some Work
Heart disease can respond well to dietary changes, especially if your elderly family member is in the earlier stages of the condition. Switching from processed foods and foods that are high in salt and sugar can be a challenge, but your elderly family member’s body needs the nutrients from whole foods like vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins. Talk to her doctor about what dietary changes your senior most needs to make.
Talk to Her Doctor about Exercise
Something else to talk to her doctor about is whether your senior should start an exercise program. Exercise helps to strengthen your senior’s heart and lungs, which can help her to make some strides in her battle against heart disease. Finding the right exercise plan can help her to stick with exercising on a regular basis.
Some Bad Habits Contribute to Heart Disease
Over a lifetime, most people pick up at least one or two “bad” habits that they might want to quit. Smoking, drinking, and other vices can all fall under that category. Giving up some of these habits might be difficult, especially if your elderly family member has been engaging in them for a long time. With help, though, it can be easier to make those changes.
She Needs to Be Able to Rest
As much as activity can help your elderly family member to cope with heart disease, she also needs to be able to rest. In fact, as she becomes accustomed to dietary changes, to moving more, and to giving up some longtime habits, rest can be crucial in her success. It’s exhausting and time-consuming to change your life, so freeing up your senior’s time by hiring home care providers can be a great answer to this dilemma.
It’s not easy to make lifestyle changes, even when it’s obvious that they’re necessary. Talk to your elderly family member about what changes are giving her trouble and which ones she’s looking forward to making. Taking things slowly might be a good answer.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care in Tallahassee, FL, please call the caring staff at Hopewell In-Home Senior Care today at 850-386-5552. Providing Senior Care Services in North Florida.
