Forming healthy habits early on in life can help with aging in the future. Even if you don’t start them early, you can start doing them now to take your health into your own hands. Let’s dive in further to what these healthy habits are….

Healthful Practices for Seniors

No matter your age, it’s important to take care of your body and prevent illness.

But if you’re 65 or older, something as simple as the flu or a common cold can progress and lead to complications. Because of this, it’s important to make healthy choices to strengthen your immune system and reduce the likelihood of illness.

Nutrient-dense diet

Foods High In Omega-3 Fatty Acids

These fatty acids are important for people of all ages including elderly people as they help prevent inflammation which can cause cancer, rheumatoid, arthritis, and heart disease.

They can be found in fish mainly sardines, Tuna, Mackerel, and Salmon. They are also found in flaxseed, soybeans, canola oil, and walnuts.

Foods Rich in Calcium

Calcium helps our bodies build and maintain healthy bones. It has also been known to lower blood pressure. Unfortunately, surveys have shown that as we grow older we consume less calcium.

The World Health Organization recommends that people aged above the age of 50 consume 1200 mg of calcium daily. This translates to 4 cups of fortified orange juice, milk, soy, or almond milk.

Foods Rich in Fiber

As we get older, our digestive system slows down. The walls of the gastrointestinal tract thicken and the contractions are slower and fewer which may lead to constipation.

Foods rich in fiber promote proper digestion by moving food through the digestive tract. These foods have also been known to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Foods rich in fiber include nuts, whole grain cereal, wholegrain bread and pasta, brown rice, brown bread, fruits, and vegetables.

Prevent Before It Happens

Prevention in the elderly should focus on evidence-based interventions regarding frailty, medication use, personalized health management, falls prevention, and vaccination uptake.

Advice for preventing falls at home:

• Clean up clutter.
• Repair or remove tripping hazards.
• Install grab bars and handrails.
• Avoid wearing loose clothing.
• Light it right.
• Wear shoes.
• Make it nonslip.
• Live on one level.

Make Mental Health a Priority

The good news about Senior Mental Health is that there are a number of activities and resources available to help keep the older adults close to you engaged and in good mental health and spirits.

Staying connected and maintaining strong, meaningful social connections with friends and family goes a long way towards preventing mental health issues in seniors.

Play Mind Games

• Reading and writing: journaling can help to manage and alleviate the effects of stress and anxiety
• Learning a new language: language learning exercises regions of the brain often affected by aging
• Playing an instrument: music stimulates the brain & improves memory in seniors with Alzheimer’s & dementia

Get Physical

Staying active and getting enough exercise are as important for senior mental health and older adults’ wellbeing, as they are at any other stage of life. In fact, low-impact exercises like stretching and strength training are actually necessary to help seniors stay healthy and reduce the risk of common age-related problems like bone fractures, joint pain, and other chronic illnesses.

Stay Connected with Friends

For older adults, keeping in touch with the important people in their lives can help to stave off loneliness and feelings of isolation that can lead to depression, as well as mental and physical decline. Teach your older relative or friend how to connect with new and old friends on social media and Skype.