Healthy Living Tips for Seniors in Assisted Living Facilities
Getting old can be a challenge, particularly in keeping up with daily activities of day-to-day living. Thankfully, assisted living facilities create a healthy and supportive environment to help seniors keep a healthy mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
Moving into a new environment like assisted living does not mean seniors need to stop enjoying the healthy lifestyle they used to have. With a stress-free environment, maintaining a healthy life is achievable.
Nutrition Advice for Older Adults in Assisted Living Facilities
As we age, maintaining optimal health is important. Eating healthy and strengthening your physical and mental health contribute to an enhanced overall quality of life.
For loved ones in assisted living, it is never too late to practice healthy habits to live a healthier and longer life.
Choose food with less sugar, less sodium, and saturated fats. Always go for meals rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean meat as these foods will provide the essential nutrients and minerals needed for your body to function well. In addition, eating healthy will prevent unwanted health gain or keep a healthy weight.
Calcium and Vitamin D are important for bone health, which can be acquired through eating dairy products, fish, and leafy greens. Other than supplements, sun exposure is a natural source of Vitamin D.
Eat slowly and savor the flavor to help prevent overeating. Slow eating enhances the eating experience and allows the digestive system to absorb nutrients from food more effectively.
Also, consider your individual needs and meet your medical or health condition. Lastly, stay hydrated. Make sure to drink enough fluids throughout the day. However, this does not include beverages with too much sugar or sodium.
Get Plenty of Rest and Sleep
Quality sleep is vital for keeping healthy and in top condition. Getting enough sleep enhances the immune system’s ability to fight illnesses and infections. Adequate sleep also aids in better stress management. With good rest and hours of sleep, the risks of chronic illnesses are reduced.
Gentle Exercise Routines for Seniors in Assisted Living Facilities
Given the physical limitations that come with aging, older seniors find it hard to keep an active lifestyle. But with careful consideration, there are light exercises that help maintain mobility and improve balance.
Seated exercises for example are great for seniors in assisted living facilities with limited mobility. In a stable chair on a flat surface, do gentle upper body twists, gentle arm lifts, and foot and ankle stretches.
Standing exercises on the other hand are great for improving blood flow, strength, and balance. Do gentle side steps, sideways bend, or gentle bicep curls.
And if able, do slow walking exercises. Have a little walk around your room which is beneficial in reducing pain and aches. Incorporating small walks into your daily routine helps improve cardiovascular health, burn calories, increase energy levels, and release happy hormones.
Mental Health and Mindfulness Practices
Keeping these mindful practices positively impacts mental health.
Enjoy the simple pleasures to shift away the attention from stressors. Appreciating the simple things that bring joy also contributes to better mental health.
Self-acceptance is beneficial in reducing anxiety and depression while at the same time fostering a positive self-image and self-worth.
When faced with challenges, take a slow deep breath to counteract the negative effects of stress. Deep breathing also increases oxygen flow to the brain for better mental clarity.
Incorporating good nutrition, exercise, and mindful practices in seniors’ daily routines in assisted living facilities is great for maintaining a healthy life.
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Fallbrook Assisted Living is proud to offer its services to Fremont, NE, and surrounding areas and cities: Arlington, Cedar Bluffs, Ames Nickerson, Fontanelle, Arlington, Leshara, Colon, and Hooper
