Senior healthcare is an essential subject that many people don’t know much about. As senior citizens make up an increasing percentage of the population, more and more people need to be aware of senior-related issues.

Whether you are caring for your senior parents or want to learn more about senior health yourself, here are seven tips for senior healthcare you should know now!

Consume A Healthy Diet

The most essential thing you can do for senior health is to eat a well-balanced diet. That implies eating plenty of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables while staying away from processed foods and sugary beverages.

If your doctor feels you may have kidney or heart disease, or another serious condition, they may prescribe a more specialized well-balanced diet. Make sure you follow your doctor’s directions in this situation.

If you don’t suffer from a chronic condition and want to make a better food selection, get advice from a nutritionist specializing in seniors. Maintaining a healthy weight is also essential, so senior citizens know how to track their body mass index and make healthy lifestyle choices.

Encourage Them To Get Regular Exercise

Along with a healthy diet, it’s also important that older adults have a regular exercise routine. That can mean something simple like taking a brisk walk around the block every day or joining senior centers and senior sports teams for more intense workouts.

Spending 30 minutes on some physical activity is enough to strengthen senior muscles and reduce senior health risks. Reg exercise with senior friends or family members is a great way to make this fun and productive.

senior couple in a conversation with a doctor after checkups

Get Regular Checkups

Regularly scheduled physical examinations are one of the most critical senior healthcare tips you can follow. Most doctors recommend scheduling checkups for high blood pressure, diabetes, and hearing checkups every three months, but if your doctor thinks you must come in more often (or less frequently), listen to them!

Don’t be afraid of what might happen during these exams; many senior citizens worry that their doctors will scold them when they see them every six months. But medical professionals understand how difficult it can be for seniors to schedule appointments on top of existing commitments. 

Your primary care physician should know enough about your senior health to give you a good overview. Still, senior citizens should also see specialists like ophthalmologists and dentists at least once per year.

Beware Of The Flu And Common Cold

Every year, millions of Americans battle the flu and a cold. Unfortunately, neither has a cure, implying that prevention is key!

There are several ways to prevent the flu and infections like it, including getting vaccinated against both illnesses and washing your hands frequently (and using hand sanitizer if you can’t get to a sink). Avoiding touch from sick individuals, as well as being warm in the winter months, can help you avoid getting the flu.

If you or your loved one is down with the flu or a cold, you must get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids. It’s also a good idea to seek medical treatment if senior symptoms seem severe or don’t go away after several days!

Protect Them Against Falls

One senior healthcare tip that every senior citizen should pay attention to is protecting against falls. While this may sound like an issue reserved for older adults in their 90s, many senior citizens between the ages of 65 – 75 fall at least once per year!

This high number can be attributed to various factors, including losing balance because muscles are weaker, reduced vision due to eye conditions such as glaucoma, and poor motor skills caused by arthritis pain. 

There are many ways to protect senior citizens from falls, including installing handrails and grab bars in bathrooms and other areas where seniors are likely to fall; using non slip mats in the shower and bathtub; keeping walkways clear of clutter and obstacles, and making sure senior loved ones are wearing shoes with good traction.

Take Care Of Their Mental Health

Along with their physical health, senior citizens must take care of their mental health. That means staying socially active by participating in clubs, groups, or activities they enjoy; getting enough sleep each night (between seven and eight hours is ideal); eating a balanced diet; and avoiding alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs.

If you notice that your senior loved one is struggling more than usual with memory or thinking, you must take them to the doctor right away. That could be a sign of geriatric depression; if they are diagnosed with this condition, your senior loved one might benefit from taking an antidepressant medication like Zoloft (or another drug approved for senior use) along with participating in counseling sessions and group therapy.

Take Care of Your Teeth

While it may seem like just one of the more mundane routines in life, brushing teeth correctly is an essential aspect of senior healthcare, because seniors are at a higher risk for gum disease than younger people, maintaining good dental hygiene can protect them from developing serious health issues later on down the road.

Make sure your senior loved ones brush their teeth two times per day (once before bedtime) using fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily after meals if they aren’t already doing so. Get advice from dentists specializing in senior care if you need help encouraging healthy habits with this task!

Be Prepared For Emergencies

One important thing to remember about senior health is that emergencies can happen at any time, so it’s essential to always be prepared. That could mean having a first-aid kit on hand, or knowing where the senior’s closest hospital is, and having their medical information readily available. It’s also a good idea to have a list of emergency contact numbers handy if something happens and you can’t get in touch with other family members right away.

Be Aware Of Dementia And Alzheimer’s Disease

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are two common conditions that affect seniors, and both can present unique challenges to senior loved ones and their caregivers. It’s essential to be aware of the warning signs to get senior help promptly and how best to communicate with senior loved ones who have these conditions.

senior woman receiving home care

Consider Home Care

Home care is a good option for senior citizens who cannot live independently due to physical or mental impairments. That includes senior-specific services that ensure they have the appropriate assistance for their specific needs, such as preparing nutritious meals and organizing medication for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease.

Home healthcare providers may also offer companionship visits from professionals who can help take your senior loved one on an outing if you need some time alone; this could be anything from taking them out shopping to going to a local museum together. These professionals will work closely with you so that both of you know what kind of schedule would benefit senior loved ones best!

Want Home Care For Your Senior Loved Ones

At Crane Home Care, we take pride in our ability to care for the elderly and disabled. We understand that this is a difficult time and want you to know that we are here for your loved one. If they need home health care services, please contact us with any questions or concerns.

Our team of experts can help guide you through all aspects of caring for an aging adult at their most vulnerable stage in life. Whether it’s respite care or cancer care, we have something just right for everyone’s needs! Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you would like more information about our personalized senior living solutions tailored exclusively for clients’ individualized needs.

senior healthcare tips