Top 4 strategies to encourage and support your elderly loved ones healthy habits

You may be worried about the health of senior family members or your loved ones as they have higher risks of getting affected by ailments. The good news is that older folks can live longer, healthier lives by adopting and following a few important behaviours. It's crucial to model healthy living choices for your family members; it's never too late to start!

What can you then do to support the elderly people in your life in managing their health, preserving their level of independence, and preserving their quality of life as they age? Continue reading to discover four strategies to encourage and support your elderly loved ones' healthy habits. 

1.Prevent loneliness and social isolation

People frequently find that as they get older, they spend more time alone themselves.
You can have a significant impact on the older persons in your life by supporting their social engagement as a family member. Here are a few ways you can contribute:

●Set up calls or video conversations on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
●Encourage them to look for people who share their interests, perhaps through a walking club, volunteer group, or gardening club.

2.Encourage physical exercise

There are several benefits to including physical activity in daily life. Exercise can improve balance and minimise the risk of falling, lower stress and anxiety levels, increase sleep quality, and lessen depressive symptoms. Here are some ideas to promote physical activity:

●Encourage your loved ones to set goals for various exercises, such as stretching, gardening, lifting weights, and aerobics, as well as balancing and flexibility exercises.
●A minimum of 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and at least two days per week of muscle-strengthening activities are advised by experts.
●Assist them in finding the right clothes and tools for their workouts. Keep in mind that many activities don't call for pricey equipment. For instance, use filled water bottles as weights for strength training.

3.Promote a healthy diet

A key component of healthy ageing is proper nutrition. A balanced diet can maintain muscles and develop bones, which can aid in independence and balance. Consider the following advice to encourage your loved ones to adopt a healthy diet:

●Talk about their favourite traditional recipes and whether you can modify them to be healthier, such as using yoghurt instead of sour cream or olive oil instead of butter.
●Make a healthy dinner with them once a week when you visit them.
●When you come, look inside their pantry and refrigerator. You can look for healthier selections and make sure they aren't consuming food or beverages that have expired.
●Encourage them to use vitamin and mineral supplements if necessary. 

4.Make appointments for routine medical checkups

Your elderly family members should get routine medical screenings. The following are some suggestions for providing support for your family member's medical appointments:

●Encourage them to contact their doctor right away if they experience any new symptoms or pain.
●Offer to drive them or even accompany them while taking appointments.
●Find out how they communicate with their medical professionals. Are the medical professionals receptive to their queries?
●If necessary, help them in managing their medicines.