Archive for the ‘Healthy Heart’ Category

Holiday Nutrition: How to Get the Necessary Nutrients

Posted on: December 12th, 2011 by aagingbetter

As adults age, calorie requirements change due to increased body fat, decreased muscle and less activity.  Because of this, meeting nutrient needs during the holidays and throughout the year becomes more of a challenge for seniors.  AAging Better In-Home Care understands that the key to this problem is to choose foods that are high in nutrients in relation to the calories they contain.  For example, low-fat milk is more nutrient-dense than regular milk because its nutrient content is the same, but it has fewer calories and less fat.  The following are a few examples of foods that can help seniors watch calories during the holidays and the rest of the year while keeping a nutrient-rich diet.

Protein needs typically do not change for older adults; however, some proteins, like turkey, chicken, and fish are healthier than red meats.  Other foods with high levels of protein include:

  • Eggs (even those with higher cholesterol levels do fine with a minimum of two eggs per week but for those with good cholesterol levels, eggs 3-4 times a week are encouraged)
  • Peas
  • Beans (all beans are a very good source of protein)
  • Tofu
  • Nuts (raw nuts are much healthier than roasted and salted but a small handful of either is usually recommended rather than larger amounts eaten at one sitting)

Fat should be something that older adults reduce in their diets; however, there are some “good” fats that can and should be part of a healthy diet, including:

  • Olive oil (recommended as a primary cooking oil or on salads)
  • Seeds
  • Sunflower oil
  • Avocados
  • Nuts (high in fats but good sources of protein)

Calcium is a very important nutrient that helps minimize bone loss in older adults.  Milk, cheese, and yogurt are all good sources of calcium, as are:

  • Figs
  • Tofu
  • Kale
  • White beans
  • Cabbage

A healthy, nutrient-rich diet is vital for older adults.  Aaging Better In-Home Care understands the unique challenges of senior nutritional needs and trains all of its caregivers in the proper preparation of healthy meals.  For more information about our shopping and meal preparation services, contact us online or call us at (208) 777-0308 in the Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls or Hayden areas, (208) 263-7889 in the Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry or Priest River areas, or (208) 784-1505 in the Kellogg, Wallace or Pinehurst areas.

Caring for Someone Recovering From a Heart Attack? Check Out These Stress Relievers.

Posted on: February 21st, 2011 by aagingbetter

Family caregiving can be very rewarding, but it can also come with a huge amount of stress and changes to family dynamics. Because of this, it is important to take strides to care for yourself as well. AAging Better In-Home Care in northern Idaho recommends the following stress relievers for caregivers:

  • Keep a positive attitude and accept that there are some events beyond your control.
  • Be assertive instead of aggressive. Assert feelings, opinions or beliefs in a positive way instead of becoming angry, defensive or passive.
  • Learn and practice relaxation techniques; try meditation, yoga or tai-chi for stress management.
  • Exercise regularly. A body can fight stress better when it is fit.
  • Eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
  • Learn to manage time more effectively.
  • Set limits appropriately and say no to requests that would create excessive stress.
  • Make time for hobbies and interests.
  • Get enough rest and sleep. A body needs time to recover from stressful events.
  • Don’t rely on alcohol, drugs or compulsive behaviors to reduce stress.
  • Seek out social support. Spend time with loved ones.
  • Seek out respite care from a professional home care agency such as AAging Better In-Home Care to supplement family caregiving.

Providing in-home care services in Coeur d’Alene and the rest of northern Idaho, AAging Better In-Home Care custom tailors a specific plan of care for each of our clients. Whether recovering from surgery or needing a little extra help with daily activities, AAging Better can help. Contact us today at 866.464.2344 to find out more.

Protecting Your Heart is as Simple as A, B, C.

Posted on: February 2nd, 2011 by aagingbetter

When it comes to protecting your heart, the truth is some risk factors for heart conditions, such as aging, gender (typically male) and heredity cannot be changed. Other major risk factors, however, can be easily treated or controlled with the ABCs. To protect your heart, AAging Better In-Home Care encourages you to:

Avoid tobacco: If you smoke; quit. If someone in the household smokes, he or she should be encouraged to quit. It’s tough, but it’s tougher to recover from a heart attack or stroke or to live with chronic heart disease.

Be more active: Be physically active every day. Research has shown that getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity on 5 or more days of the week can help lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and keep weight at a healthy level.

Choose good nutrition: A healthy diet is one of the best weapons to fight cardiovascular disease. The food eaten (and the amount) can affect other controllable risk factors such as cholesterol, diabetes, blood pressure and obesity. Prepare heart-healthy meals that are low in fat and cholesterol and rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber.

Additionally, everyone should be aware of the warning signs of an impending heart attack or stroke. Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but most of them start slowly with mild pain or discomfort with one or more of these symptoms:

  • Chest discomfort
  • Discomfort in other areas of the upper body
  • Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
  • Other signs including breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness

Every day, AAging Better In-Home Care helps seniors make healthy heart choices to maintain independence while living in the comfort of their own homes. Providing quality, affordable home care services throughout Coeur d’Alene and the rest of northern Idaho, AAging Better In-Home Care has been caring for seniors and the disabled in the community for nearly 15 years. Contact us today at 866.464.2344 to find out what makes us different.

 
Call Us Toll Free at 866.464.2344 or send us a request by email... click to get started »