Senior Health Tips for the New Year – Three Easy Steps!

 According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the leading causes of death for adults age 65 and over are heart disease, cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease. To minimize the risk of these conditions occurring and increase the odds of a longer, healthier life, seniors should follow these important steps in 2016.
Control blood sugar. Studies show a strong link between blood sugar and cardiovascular disease. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), adults with diabetes are up to four times more likely to develop heart disease – so for that reason, it is important for seniors to reduce their risk of diabetes onset by controlling blood sugar. Ask your physician to determine your target range for blood glucose; then, invest in a blood glucose meter so you can check your levels daily. Maintaining a healthy diet is also essential for diabetes prevention and maintenance – more on that below.
Quit smoking. Although 51 years have passed since the original Surgeon General’s report on the health hazards of smoking, the CDC reports that nearly 10 percent of seniors still smoke today. Because smoking greatly increases the risks associated with all three conditions discussed here – diabetes, cancer and respiratory disease – it is vitally important that seniors quit smoking in 2016. Many healthcare providers now offer smoking cessation programs, with a variety of methods that have proven to be effective for people of all ages.
Eat healthy. The idea of “letting yourself go” as you get older might be a long-held cliché – but as we age, making the right dietary choices actually becomes more important than ever to ward off cancer, heart disease and diabetes. For adults over age 60, the USDA recommends a balanced diet of dairy for calcium, meat for protein, fruit for vitamin C, vegetables for Vitamin A and potassium, and grains for carbohydrates, iron, folate and fiber. Seniors who live at home have a variety of dietary resources available to them through their healthcare providers, while seniors who live in a residential care community can enjoy nutritious meals prepared by the onsite chef.
By incorporating these three tips – and, adding on a daily exercise regimen as part of an active, vibrant lifestyle – seniors can enjoy a healthier, more energetic year in 2016.
For more information on senior living please contact Oakmont of Santa Clarita at 661-295-2025 or visit our website at www.oakmontofsantaclarita.com.