The New year marks the beginning of another exciting time in our lives. Most people are probably busy starting on those new year resolutions and signing up in the neighborhood gym. No matter what your age is, starting the year right with wellness goals is an opportunity for the betterment of your overall health. This is particularly important for our senior loved ones. The pandemic has affected not only their physical but also their mental well-being.
As people grow older, some health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease are inevitable. Thus, making proper lifestyle choices is crucial to avoid these problems.
Here are the best tips to help your senior loved to get healthier and better this New Year:
1. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and high fiber foods
Older adults should always prioritize eating nutritious foods and avoid foods with high calories and trans-fat. In cooking, use healthy fats such as olive and canola oil and avoid greasy lard and butter. Also, stay away from fried foods and choose deep-colored fruits and vegetables in your meals.
2. Get enough good sleep
Seniors should aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night. This is important to maintain a healthier immune system and improve concentration and memory. Getting acupuncture for dementia can also help to improve sleep and memory functions for seniors.
3. Exercise regularly
Exercising does not only mean lifting heavy weights or running miles. For our senior loved ones, doing low-impact exercises such as walking, tai chi, and even yoga for at least 30 minutes can help decrease the risk for heart disease and improve balance.
Also, pairing simple exercise with acupuncture for Parkinson’s disease can significantly help seniors that have Parkinson’s disease to improve their physical functions such as walking and coordination and reduce tremors.
4. Do brain exercises every day
As we grow older, it is important to maintain mental sharpness and improve memory function. Doing simple brain exercises can help promote brain health and keep your cognitive skills sharp.
Learning new things or reading a book is a great way to exercise your mind. Also, challenging your brain through crossword puzzles and mind games can help the brain function. For seniors who are experiencing dementia, acupuncture for dementia is also a good way to alleviate the symptoms and improve memory.
5. Try Acupuncture for Senior Health
As older adults or seniors are more sensitive to certain medications, a more holistic approach to treating diseases and relieving both acute and chronic pain is important.
Acupuncture is a thousand-year-old traditional Chinese medicine technique that has been used to treat various painful conditions and diseases. It works by balancing the vital energy of the body through the insertion of needles in strategic points on the body. One example is acupuncture for Parkinson’s disease, which helps in alleviating the symptoms of people experiencing this disease. Also, this has improved sleep and decreased tremors in some patients.
For your senior loved ones who experience conditions like dementia and Parkinson’s disease, the professional acupuncturists of Marchand Orthopedic Acupuncture can help alleviate the symptoms of these health issues and even help in enhancing their overall healing process. Book an appointment now!