Though people of all ages should maintain healthy cholesterol levels, this is especially important for elderly people because they’re at greater risk for developing serious health conditions. Luckily, a few minor lifestyle changes can make it easier for older adults to keep their cholesterol levels within a healthy range. Here are a few suggestions to help your senior loved one lower his or her cholesterol.
Stay Active
Exercise is one of the most effective ways to lower cholesterol. This can include gardening, walking, or simply staying busy around the house. Your loved one should try to avoid sedentary activities like watching television whenever possible. You can modify exercises as needed if your loved one has limited mobility. Aim for at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three to four times each week to reduce cholesterol and fight disease.
If your loved one has health conditions or mobility issues that make it challenging to exercise alone safely, a trained caregiver can provide support. When considering homecare services, families should make sure their senior loved ones have the resources they need to maintain their independence and remain healthy. Trusted in-home care professionals can assist seniors with daily tasks like cooking, bathing, and exercise, and they can also encourage them to focus on healthier lifestyle habits.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Avoid serving processed, high-fat, or sugary foods. Instead, serve fruits, whole grains, vegetables, and lean proteins each day. Green and leafy vegetables, such as broccoli and spinach, are especially effective at reducing cholesterol, while foods like brown rice and whole wheat pasta provide cholesterol-lowering fiber. To increase HDL, or healthy cholesterol, serve salmon or flaxseed on a regular basis, and provide at least nine servings of fresh fruit and vegetables each day.
Elevated cholesterol levels have been linked to a variety of health conditions, including an increased risk of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Aging in place can present a few challenges for seniors living with dementia. However, they can still live independently at home with the help of professional dementia care. Naples families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide their elderly loved ones with mental and social stimulation, timely medication reminders, assistance with meal prep, and much more. Our caregivers are available around the clock to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life.
Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Along with eating a healthy diet and getting enough exercise, your loved one should avoid tobacco products and excessive amounts of alcohol. If your loved one needs help quitting alcohol or tobacco, seek help from a physician or another professional.
Additionally, your loved one should maintain a healthy weight. To help your loved one accomplish this, talk to a nutritionist or hire a caregiver to assist with exercise and meal prep. Often, weight loss combined with a healthy lifestyle are enough to significantly lower cholesterol levels.
Take Prescribed Medicine
Certain medications may be an option for seniors who need help lowering their cholesterol levels. Statins are the most common type, but other options are available. These are often combined with a high-fiber diet to increase the effectiveness of the medicine. A physician can decide which medication is a good choice for your loved one. If your loved one finds it challenging to maintain healthy cholesterol levels, consider hiring a professional caregiver with training and expertise in the specific nutritional needs of seniors. If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of Home Care Naples families can trust. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia. To learn more about our highly trained caregivers, call us today.
