Page 35 - NC Summer Fall SeniorLivingGuide
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     foods that are nutritionally dense instead   exercises in their regimen. Gentle chair
     of consuming empty calories. The diet   yoga is a good option for many seniors
     should be tapered down according to   new to exercise.
     need, rather than adding the nutrient-  Easing a worried heart. Has your senior
     dense choices.                      been fixated or overly worried about life
     The diet choices should be simple,   lately? Chatting lightly can begin loosen-
     satisfying and nutritious. Plates should   ing up a senior who has become wound
     be half-filled with fruits and vegetables,   too tight about the ups and downs of
     and whole grains should be the source of   life. First and foremost you must listen
     at least half of the grain choices. Whole   – most folks benefit from a sympathetic
     grains include foods such as brown rice,   ear even if their listener doesn’t give
     whole grain cereals and whole grain   them a solution to their problem. But if
     breads. Seniors should avoid consuming   there are recurring issues then you could
     excessive amounts of sodium. The diet   begin gently guiding them to take some
     should include healthy fat sources such   action towards acceptance, no matter
     as nuts, avocados, vegetable fats and   how small it might be. It could be as
     fatty fish. Protein sources should include   simple as some advance planning for the
     eggs, chicken, fish, beans and nuts.  inevitable, or volunteering part time.
     Exercise. Getting sufficient exercise is   Better health, better life. Helping a
     another key component in maintaining   senior maintain a good quality of life is
     good quality of life for seniors. A recent   paramount. Check off these three things
     article on www.OnHealth.com explains   when visiting seniors: Ensure seniors
     loss of muscle mass associated with ag-  get sufficient sleep, enjoy a healthy diet
     ing contributes to the metabolic decline   and participate in an exercise program.
     in seniors. Staying fit helps keep muscles   Make the most of home visits with these
     and bones strong, helps maintain a   simple guidelines.
     healthy weight, and helps maintain or   Janet Campbell is a contributing blog
     restore balance. Seniors who stay active   writer and is frequently featured on our
     can reduce their risk for health condi-  website www.seniorlivingguide.com and
     tions such as heart disease, diabetes, ar-  her articles posted on our Facebook page
     thritis, osteoporosis, depression, obesity   and via our Twitter account.
     and back pain. A senior fitness program
     can enhance flexibility, memory function
     and improve mood as well.
     Seniors can begin exercising at any age
     but should discuss a new exercise pro-
     gram with their physicians. Scheduling
     sessions can help stay on track, and cel-
     ebrating progress can be an encourage-
     ment. Seniors should include aerobic,
     strength training, balance and flexibility
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