World Heart Day: Take Care Of Your Heart Every Day

We all want to live a life that is free from heart disease and there are a lot of things that seniors can do each day to achieve that. The key is to make your heart a priority today so that you don’t have to worry about it tomorrow. Encourage the seniors that you are caring for to include these healthy habits into their day:

Get Moving– Seniors should try to get at least 20 minutes of exercise each day. If they have pain or limited mobility, walking or swimming are both great options. Regular exercise will make them feel better and has so many benefits for their health.

Eat Well– A healthy, balanced diet is one of the best things that you can do to for your heart. When caring for a loved one, help them plan healthy meals ahead of time. They may be surprised to discover that they actually enjoy eating healthy foods. They can still indulge in decadent deserts now and then, but encourage them to eat well on a daily basis.

Manage Stress– Stress is one of the biggest contributing factors to heart disease. Help your loved ones to identify their stress triggers and see how they can either avoid or better manage those situations. Also, find activities that relieve their stress, such as going out with friends, sports, reading, being out with nature, or mediation and encourage them to schedule those stress busters into their week.

Decrease Alcohol and Smoking– Smoking and alcohol both increase the risk of heart disease. If they are smoking or drinking excessively, help them cut back.

Be Aware– While many of the risk factors for heart disease can be controlled, some can’t. It is important to be aware of risk factors associated with your age, gender, ethnicity, and family history. If they are already at a high risk for heart disease then it may be a good idea to put a stronger emphasis on the factors that they can control.

While heart disease is prevalent in Canada, it is both preventable and manageable. By making good choices on a daily basis, we can keep our heart healthy and strong.

ICare Home Health Services provides home care in Oakville and elder care in Oakville.