Seniors with Vision Impairment
More than 75% of seniors with vision impairment are over the age of 65 and experience some type of vision problem. Some are caused by medication, some are caused by age, and some are caused by other factors; however, all types of visual impairment can make it difficult for seniors in Calgary, AB to live alone at home safely. Seniors who experience vision problems often find that a personal support worker is a big help with tasks around the house like cleaning or cooking.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can also help seniors manage some eye problems like dry eyes or low vision. Getting regular exercise to increase blood flow and the flow of oxygen within the body is important. As well as eating a healthy diet high in vitamins and Omega 3 fatty acids.
Learn more about some of the most common problems seniors with vision impairment experience:
Cataracts
Cloudy areas of the eye lens that develop with age and cause poor vision are known as cataracts. Seniors with cataracts may find that things look blurry, hazy, or less colorful and will likely require glasses or contacts or cataract surgery.
Dry Eyes
When a senior does not have enough tears to lubricate and nourish their eye, they likely have dry eye. Dry eyes can be treated by adding tears, conserving tears, increasing tear production, and treating the contributing eyelid or ocular surface inflammation.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve. It doesn’t show any symptoms early on, but can be diagnosed through regular eye exams and can lead to vision loss or blindness. It can be treated with pills, eye drops, and surgery. A Comfort Keepers personal support worker can help your senior loved one in the Calgary area with personal care, medication management, meal preparation, light housekeeping and much more.
Low Vision
A term that refers to a visual impairment that cannot be corrected through glasses, contacts, pharmaceuticals, or surgery is known as low vision. Vision training, low vision devices, and rehabilitation can help seniors with low vision improve their life.
Are-Related Macular Degeneration
Age-Related Macular Degeneration is a condition that affects the macula, which is the center of the retina and responsible for the acute vision necessary for driving, reading, and performing other activities that require sharp or straight ahead vision. Although most people with AMD have dry AMD, wet AMD does affect a small number of seniors.
Living with impaired vision can be scary for older adults and their families who worry about their safety. A trained personal support worker or caregiver can provide the assistance and companionship your elderly loved one needs to stay safe and comfortable in their own home. Comfort Keepers can also provide reliable transportation for your family member who can no longer drive.
Comfort Keepers® Calgary Can Help
At Comfort Keepers®, we create individual care plans for every client. These plans include wellness goals that consider physical, mental and emotional health. Our caregivers can help support physician-prescribed diet and exercise plans, provide medication reminders, provide transportation to appointments and help seniors engage in the activities they love the most. And, our caregivers can help senior stay connected with loved ones through video chats, phone calls and care updates. We believe that every senior should experience the best in life.
Contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary office to learn more about how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home.
Home Health Care for Improving Senior Heart Health
Improving Senior Heart Health
Senior Heart Health | February is Heart Month throughout Canada, and an ideal time for older adults to learn more about keeping their hearts healthy, and about the prevention of heart disease. Heart disease affects more than 2.4 million Canadian adults and impacts seniors more than any other age group. However, heart disease can be prevented by making consistent healthy lifestyle decisions, including quitting smoking, maintaining a balanced diet, getting enough rest, exercising regularly, and monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Seniors who struggle with everyday tasks at home can surely benefit from home health care provided by Comfort Keepers of Calgary, AB.
Important information about heart health:
Causes of Heart Disease
Atherosclerosis, or the narrowing and blockage of arteries by fatty plaques on the walls of the artery, is the main cause of heart disease. This is typically caused by an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, obesity, smoking, and other correctable issues.
Symptoms of Heart Disease
Although each type of heart condition requires unique treatment, all heart conditions share similar symptoms. The most common symptom of heart disease is chest pain. Seniors with chest pain often feel pressure, heaviness, discomfort, or fullness in their chest.
Types of Heart Disease?
Heart disease is considered the second leading cause of death in Canada. It is a term used to describe several types of heart conditions including coronary artery disease, silent ischemia, angina, heart attack, heart failure, arrhythmia, heart defects, and peripheral arterial disease.
Other symptoms of heart disease include a faster heartbeat, shortness of breath, palpitations or irregular heartbeats, weakness or dizziness, nausea, and sweating.
Preventing Heart Disease
The good news is that seniors can prevent heart disease by simply maintaining a healthy lifestyle and properly managing existing health conditions. Seniors who live alone and need extra help implementing some of these daily changes can get the professional assistance they need from home health care providers. These simple strategies can help older adults prevent heart disease:
- Visiting the doctor regularly.
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
- Exercising on a regular basis.
- Adhering to a well-balanced diet with limited amount of sodium.
- Managing stress levels.
- Quitting smoking.
- Limiting alcohol intake.
This February, seniors should strive to learn more about heart disease or donate to an organization that supports heart research. By doing so, they can help spread awareness about Heart Month and improve their own heart health in the process.
Comfort Keepers® Calgary Can Help with Senior Heart Health
At Comfort Keepers®, we create individual care plans for every client. These plans include wellness goals that consider physical, mental and emotional health. Our caregivers can help support physician-prescribed diet and exercise plans, provide medication reminders, provide transportation to appointments and help seniors engage in the activities they love the most. And, our caregivers can help senior stay connected with loved ones through video chats, phone calls and care updates. We believe that every senior should experience the best in life.
Contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary office to learn more about how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home.
What You Need to Know About Home Care Services for a Loved One with Glaucoma
Home Care Services for Seniors with Glaucoma
Comfort Keepers Calgary offers home care services for seniors with glaucoma; a serious eye disease that affects seniors throughout Canada. Seniors over the age of 60 have the highest risk for developing glaucoma. If you have a senior loved one who hasn’t had an eye exam yet this year now is the perfect time to learn more about glaucoma and ensure that your loved one gets screened. Seniors that have trouble getting to medical appointments can rely on home care services to make it easier for them to get to important appointments like a glaucoma screening.
Causes of Glaucoma
Most of the time, glaucoma occurs when the fluid inside of the eye does not drain properly. When the fluid builds up, the pressure inside of the eye increases as well. This pressure hinders the optic nerve and can lead to vision loss and blindness in time. Glaucoma can also arise in an individual with normal eye pressure if there is poor blood flow to the nerve or the optic nerve is fragile.
Glaucoma Risk Factors
High pressure within the eye is the greatest risk factor for glaucoma. However, other risk factors include old age, thin corneas, steroid use, previous eye injuries, a family history of glaucoma, a history of shock or anemia, and nearsightedness.
Symptoms of Glaucoma
While there are 5 different types of glaucoma, the most common one is open-angle glaucoma. Since it does not show any signs or symptoms except for gradual loss, it’s imperative that older adults visit the ophthalmologist yearly so that any vision changes can be monitored.
Narrow-angle glaucoma is considered a medical emergency. If your senior loved one in Calgary, AB experiences symptoms such as severe eye pain, eye redness, nausea, vomiting, sudden blurred vision, or seeing halos around lights, they should visit their doctor immediately.
Glaucoma Treatments
There are a number of different ways doctors may treat glaucoma. The most common glaucoma treatment is eye drops. Eye drops work by reducing the formation of eye fluid or increasing its outflow. Redness, allergies, irritation, and stinging are all side effects of glaucoma eye drops so seniors should inform a doctor of any other medication allergies. A doctor may prescribe an oral medication if eye drops do not help. Comfort Keepers home care services can help seniors with personal care, light housekeeping, meal preparation and medication reminders.
Several lifestyle changes and home care services can improve glaucoma and eye health as well. A healthy diet full of dark, leafy green vegetables and omega-3 fatty acids, frequent exercise, and sleeping with an elevated head are all recommended.
Laser surgery may also be an option for glaucoma and increase the flow of eye fluid for older adults with open-angle glaucoma. For seniors with angle-closure glaucoma, laser surgery may be effective in stopping fluid blockage. Cyclophotocoagulation, trabeculoplasty, and iridotomy are all examples of laser surgeries that may be performed to treat glaucoma.
While glaucoma cannot be prevented, it can be controlled if it is diagnosed and treated early. Older adults who make yearly visits to the ophthalmologist a priority can reduce their risk of blindness and enjoy healthy eyes and a higher quality of life throughout their golden years.
Home Care Services for Seniors with Glaucoma
Comfort Keepers Calgary offers home care services for seniors with glaucoma; a serious eye disease that affects seniors throughout Canada. Seniors over the age of 60 have the highest risk for developing glaucoma. If you have a senior loved one who hasn’t had an eye exam yet this year now is the perfect time to learn more about glaucoma and ensure that your loved one gets screened. Seniors that have trouble getting to medical appointments can rely on home care services to make it easier for them to get to important appointments like a glaucoma screening.
Causes of Glaucoma
Most of the time, glaucoma occurs when the fluid inside of the eye does not drain properly. When the fluid builds up, the pressure inside of the eye increases as well. This pressure hinders the optic nerve and can lead to vision loss and blindness in time. Glaucoma can also arise in an individual with normal eye pressure if there is poor blood flow to the nerve or the optic nerve is fragile.
Glaucoma Risk Factors
High pressure within the eye is the greatest risk factor for glaucoma. However, other risk factors include old age, thin corneas, steroid use, previous eye injuries, a family history of glaucoma, a history of shock or anemia, and nearsightedness.
Symptoms of Glaucoma
While there are 5 different types of glaucoma, the most common one is open-angle glaucoma. Since it does not show any signs or symptoms except for gradual loss, it’s imperative that older adults visit the ophthalmologist yearly so that any vision changes can be monitored.
Narrow-angle glaucoma is considered a medical emergency. If your senior loved one in Calgary, AB experiences symptoms such as severe eye pain, eye redness, nausea, vomiting, sudden blurred vision, or seeing halos around lights, they should visit their doctor immediately.
Home Care Services for Seniors with Glaucoma – Glaucoma Treatments
There are a number of different ways doctors may treat glaucoma. The most common glaucoma treatment is eye drops. Eye drops work by reducing the formation of eye fluid or increasing its outflow. Redness, allergies, irritation, and stinging are all side effects of glaucoma eye drops so seniors should inform a doctor of any other medication allergies. A doctor may prescribe an oral medication if eye drops do not help. Comfort Keepers home care services can help seniors with personal care, light housekeeping, meal preparation and medication reminders.
Several lifestyle changes and home care services can improve glaucoma and eye health as well. A healthy diet full of dark, leafy green vegetables and omega-3 fatty acids, frequent exercise, and sleeping with an elevated head are all recommended.
Laser surgery may also be an option for glaucoma and increase the flow of eye fluid for older adults with open-angle glaucoma. For seniors with angle-closure glaucoma, laser surgery may be effective in stopping fluid blockage. Cyclophotocoagulation, trabeculoplasty, and iridotomy are all examples of laser surgeries that may be performed to treat glaucoma.
While glaucoma cannot be prevented, it can be controlled if it is diagnosed and treated early. Older adults who make yearly visits to the ophthalmologist a priority can reduce their risk of blindness and enjoy healthy eyes and a higher quality of life throughout their golden years.
Comfort Keepers® Calgary Can Help Home Care Services for Seniors with Glaucoma
At Comfort Keepers®, we create individual care plans for every client. These plans include wellness goals that consider physical, mental and emotional health. Our caregivers can help support physician-prescribed diet and exercise plans, provide medication reminders, provide transportation to appointments and help seniors engage in the activities they love the most. And, our caregivers can help senior stay connected with loved ones through video chats, phone calls and care updates. We believe that every senior should experience the best in life.
Contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary office to learn more about how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home.
Common Indications Your Aging Loved One May Need Senior Care
Does your aging loved one need senior in home care?
Senior In Home Care | January is a time for new beginning and a commitment to health. For your senior loved one staying safe and healthy at home might mean it’s time for senior care at home. Home caregivers are a great way to give your loved one the extra support they need to allow them to stay in their familiar and well loved home.
It can be difficult to know when it’s time to start talking about home care for seniors.
If you start to notice any of these signs in your senior loved one then it’s the right time to talk about senior care:
Personality Changes
You may notice that your senior no longer has the desire to participate in hobbies that used to make them happy. They may suddenly become abrasive or moody and hard to recognize. If this is the case, a caregiver can provide them with the companionship they need to improve their mental health.
Increased Forgetfulness
If you notice that your older loved one seems to forget when to take a shower or visit the doctor, home care may be a good choice for them. Although aging can hinder a senior’s memory, frequent forgetfulness may be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia which requires a special type of care that our Comfort Keepers home care agency can provide.
Poor Hygiene
You may notice that your senior doesn’t smell great or hasn’t washed their hair or brushed their teeth in weeks. If this is the case, they are likely suffering from cognitive impairment or an issue with coordination and mobility and may require home care as a result.
A Messy Home
If you visit your older loved one’s home and notice that there are piles of laundry all over the floor, dirty dishes in the sink, and a trash can full of garbage that has not been taken out, your senior may be struggling with activities of daily living such as light housekeeping and meal preparation. Home care services can assist them with these types of activities.
Social Isolation
If your senior prefers to remain at home rather than attending social functions and community events, their health is likely deteriorating and they may be afraid to ask for help. A home care plan can include incidental transportation services and encourage an older adult to get out and about.
Frequent Falls or Injuries
In the event that your senior has cuts, bruises, or discoloration, they may be falling and injuring themselves frequently without telling you. Frequent falls may mean that your older loved one has trouble walking, is nauseous, or suffering from poor motor skills. A caregiver can help with fall and injury prevention.
A Chronic Health Condition
If your senior has been diagnosed with a chronic health condition like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, or osteoporosis, they likely require full-time or round-the-clock care that can be provided through home care services.
While it may be difficult to admit your loved one needs senior care, it is an important task that can make a positive difference in their life while giving you and your family the peace of mind you need to know that your older loved one is well cared for throughout this new year.
Comfort Keepers® Calgary Can Help with Senior In Home Care
At Comfort Keepers®, we create individual care plans for every client. These plans include wellness goals that consider physical, mental and emotional health. Our caregivers can help support physician-prescribed diet and exercise plans, provide medication reminders, provide transportation to appointments and help seniors engage in the activities they love the most. And, our caregivers can help senior stay connected with loved ones through video chats, phone calls and care updates. We believe that every senior should experience the best in life.
Contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary office to learn more about how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home.
Home Care Services For Common Health Issues Among Seniors
Common Health Issues Among Seniors
Common Health Issues for Seniors | Home care services are an invaluable resource, especially those with common health issues among seniors. Caregivers who work at Comfort Keepers home care agencies have the training and experience necessary to provide older adults with a variety of conditions a higher quality of life. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with any of the chronic diseases listed below, it is in their best interest to opt for home care services.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis leads to weak and brittle bones in older adults. A senior with this condition can break their bones easily by falling or even coughing or bending over.
This condition affects almost 44 million adults who are age 50 and older. While men can develop osteoporosis, it is more common in women.
To assist seniors in controlling this condition and reducing their risk of falls and injuries, caregivers often support them in quitting smoking, limiting their alcohol intake, and consuming foods that are full of calcium and promote healthy bones. Since weight bearing exercises can also improve osteoporosis, caregivers can make sure older adults are incorporating them into their daily routine.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a condition that affects more than half of the seniors over the age of 60. Arthritis can be managed with medications sometimes but a healthy diet and regular exercise that lower inflammation in seniors will also help. Home care services can help seniors do things that are difficult when they have arthritis flare ups like clean the house, cook healthy meals, and perform regular personal care tasks that might be painful or difficult. Seniors suffering from arthritis can find it challenging to even open drawers or open their medications. An experienced caregiver can provide the compassionate support that seniors need to live well with arthritis.
Cardiovascular Disease
Any heart condition that involves blood clots, diseased vessels, or structural issues is referred to as a cardiovascular disease.
Some of the most common types of cardiovascular diseases that caregivers assist seniors with include coronary heart disease, stroke, congenital heart disease, hypertension, and arteriosclerosis.
Since a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of or control cardiovascular disease, caregivers often ensure their senior clients are consuming nutritious, high-fiber meals, exercising at least a few times each week, limiting their alcohol intake, and taking all of their over-the-counter and prescribed medications on time.
Diabetes
Diabetes arises when a senior’s blood sugar levels are too high.
To help older adults control their type 2 diabetes, caregivers ensure they monitor their blood sugar regularly, limit the sugar, fat, sodium, and carbs in their diet, and take their prescribed medications at the correct times and in the correct doses.
Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome
Sadly, three fourths of adults over age 60 are either overweight or obese. Obesity is often related to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.
Caregivers assist obese seniors with weight loss by promoting increased exercise and preparing them healthy meals that are free of trans-fats and full of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and unsaturated fats.
Comfort Keepers® Calgary Can Help
At Comfort Keepers®, we create individual care plans for every client. These plans include wellness goals that consider physical, mental and emotional health. Our caregivers can help support physician-prescribed diet and exercise plans, provide medication reminders, provide transportation to appointments and help seniors engage in the activities they love the most. And, our caregivers can help senior stay connected with loved ones through video chats, phone calls and care updates. We believe that every senior should experience the best in life.
Contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary office to learn more about how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home.
In Home Caregiver Tips for Senior Stress Management During the Holidays
Caregiver Tips for Senior Stress Management
Tips for Senior Stress Management | The holiday season should be centered on quality family time, sharing delicious meals together, and relaxing; families should make every effort to manage stress during this time of year. If you’re in search of some ideas on how to reduce holiday stress, especially among your senior loved ones, consider the following in home caregiver recommendations:
Maintain Your Regular Routine
Often times, the holidays throw us off of our regular eating, sleeping, and exercise routines. When this happens, seniors may experience weakness, which may result in stress and anxiety. By maintaining a healthy routine, your elderly loved ones can avoid negative feelings and stay relaxed despite everything that is going on.
Focus on What You’re Grateful For
Seniors can get more depressed than usual during the holidays but it helps to focus on practicing gratitude. The winter weather can increase a senior’s aches and pains and make them even more aware of having limited mobility. An in home caregiver can help seniors who have physical challenges with housework, getting out shopping, and other activities to make it easier for them to be grateful for what they can do instead of focusing on things they can’t do.
Express Yourself to a Trustworthy Family Member or Friend
Holding negative thoughts inside can cause your stress levels to skyrocket. Therefore, seniors should connect with a family member or close friend and share thoughts and feelings with them. Opening up to another person in a calm and rational manner can help lower stress levels among older adults.
Stay Active
One of the best ways to manage stress during the holidays is to stay active. Encourage or join your senior loved one for a trip to the local gym or community center or join a group fitness class. Staying active can boost your levels of endorphins, which are chemicals that promote feelings of joy and happiness. Seniors who have trouble staying active because of the cold or snowy weather can get the exercise they need with the help of an in home caregiver.
Set Time for Yourself
With so much going on during the season, you may find that you don’t have any time for yourself. Taking time for yourself, even if it’s only a few minutes, can give you the opportunity to breathe and clear your mind. You can listen to your favorite song, get a massage, or participate in a hobby that makes you happy.
Set A Spending Budget
Spending can easily get out of control during the holiday season. Buying food and gifts can hinder your bank account and lead to financial stress. To prevent this type of stress, review your financial situation and decide on a realistic budget for gifts, food, and other miscellaneous holiday expenses. Sticking to this budget can keep you out of debt.
You and your elderly loved ones can enjoy a happier, less stressful holiday season by maintaining a regular routine, staying active and sticking to a holiday spending budget.
Comfort Keepers® Calgary Can Help
At Comfort Keepers®, we create individual care plans for every client. These plans include wellness goals that consider physical, mental and emotional health. Our caregivers can help support physician-prescribed diet and exercise plans, provide medication reminders, provide transportation to appointments and help seniors engage in the activities they love the most. And, our caregivers can help senior stay connected with loved ones through video chats, phone calls and care updates. We believe that every senior should experience the best in life.
Contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary office to learn more about how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home.
Senior Home Care Tips for Older Adults with Alzheimer’s Disease
Tips for Seniors with Alzheimer’s Disease
Senior Home Care for Alzheimers | In honor of National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, Comfort Keepers of Calgary, AB recommends the following senior home care tips related to Alzheimer’s disease. Learn more about the common warning signs of this condition, as well as tips on how to have a conversation with your senior loved one about Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s can make it difficult for seniors to continue living on their own. Senior home care can help older adults stay safe at home and give family caregivers the break they need. If you have noticed these signs of Alzheimer’s in your loved one it’s important to get them evaluated by a doctor to see if they might have Alzheimer’s.
Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
Memory Loss: The most common and noticeable warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease is memory loss. If your older loved one has trouble recalling names, faces, places, and even the purpose of everyday objects such as a hairbrush or a pair of scissors, there may be something very wrong.
Frequent Misplacement of Items: Although people misplace items all the time, those with Alzheimer’s disease place items in inappropriate places. For example, a senior may place a salt shaker in the bathroom. If you notice this with your older loved one, they may have Alzheimer’s disease.
Depression: Several of the most common symptoms of depression include social withdrawal, a lost interest in hobbies, and strange sleeping patterns. If your senior loved one used to be very social and no longer accepts invitations to spend time with friends and family, they may be depressed and displaying a sign of Alzheimer’s disease.
Poor Judgment: Since dementia has a major effect on reasoning, older adults with Alzheimer’s may demonstrate poor judgment. They may completely neglect personal hygiene, say things that make no sense, or make irrational financial decisions. Senior home care providers can help ensure your loved one gets support with personal care tasks, meal preparation, medication reminders and much more.
How to Speak to Your Aging Loved One Senior Home Care for Alzheimers
Bringing up the topic of Alzheimer’s disease to your older loved one can be very difficult. Regardless of whether you need to tell them that they need to move, stop driving, or opt for home care services, you are likely worried about how they will react. Here are some great tips to ensure the conversation goes as smoothly as possible:
Schedule a Family Meeting: It’s a good idea to schedule a family meeting with you, your loved one, and other family members and close friends. This way, there is a time and a place for the conversation and your senior is surrounded by people they love and trust.
Avoid Downplaying the Disease: As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, you should be open about the implications of the condition. For example, if they can no longer drive or manage their finances, let them know this and provide them with a solution.
Allow Your Older Adult to Express Their Feelings: Your senior will likely express feelings of frustration, anger, and disappointment during this conversation. When they do so, be sure to respond with reassurance and love.
Make Every Effort to Reassure Your Senior: Reassuring an older adult is important when speaking to them about Alzheimer’s disease. You should let them know that you will be there for them to provide support and do whatever is necessary to improve their quality of life.
Write Up Answers to Potential Questions: You should anticipate the types of questions your older loved one may ask prior to having the conversation. Once you do, write up simple, easy-to-understand answers to these questions so you’ll know how to respond when they are asked.
Comfort Keepers® Calgary Can Help with Senior Home Care for Alzheimers
If you are concerned about the safety of your aging loved ones, especially in regard to fire, we can help. While it’s important to rely on the expertise of licensed professionals for certain precautions, we can provide home safety assessments and ensure your loved ones’ environment is safe.
Contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary office to learn more about how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home.
Home Care Tips for Diabetes Management During the Holidays in Calgary, AB
Tips for Diabetes Management During the Holidays
Tips for Diabetes | Seniors who have diabetes don’t have to give up all the holiday foods they love during the holidays; however, they do need to take some extra steps to try and make sure that their blood sugar is stable and that they are taking care of themselves during this time. Because it’s Diabetes Awareness Month, Comfort Keepers of Calgary, AB has compiled a helpful list of home care tips for diabetes management during the holidays:
Search for Home Care & Diabetes Friendly Alternatives
It’s only natural that seniors with diabetes still want to eat all the foods they love during the holidays. After all most of those foods are only available once a year. The key for seniors with diabetes who want to enjoy all those classic holiday dishes is to find ways to make healthy substitutions in their usual recipes. Baking cookies and sweets with an artificial sweetener instead of sugar is one way to make holiday treats healthier for those with diabetes. Another is to substitute things like applesauce for butter in cookies and cakes.
Seniors who like to cook holiday dishes and sweets can get help figuring out healthy substitutions from a home care provider who can offer advice, help them cook and help them clean up after the holiday treats are made.
Tips for Diabetes
Exercise Regularly
Often times, diabetic seniors forget to exercise during the holiday season. This is unfortunate because working out on a regular basis during the holidays can help stabilize blood sugar and even offset the effects of a large meal. Some of the best exercises for older adults with diabetes include brisk walking outside or on a treadmill, water aerobics or swimming, bicycling, tai-chi, yoga, and stationary bicycling.
Get Enough Sleep
Due to the fact that the holiday season is filled with social gatherings, many seniors stay out later and don’t get enough sleep as a result. Since sleep loss can make it more difficult for them to control their blood sugar, and sleep deprivation almost always leads to overindulging in foods that are high in fat and sugar, it’s imperative that older adults get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep every evening.
Refrain From Skipping Meals
Contrary to popular belief, it is not a good idea for older adults to skip meals in order to save up for a big holiday feast. By doing so, seniors will find it more challenging to control their blood sugar. They will likely be starving and more likely to overeat if they skip meals than they would if they eat a nutritious meal a few hours beforehand.
Limit Alcohol
Holiday gatherings almost always involve some type of alcohol. While it’s okay for seniors to have a drink or two, they should be careful not to overdrink as alcohol can reduce blood sugar levels and interact with diabetes medications. In the event that they do decide to drink, diabetic older adults should pair their alcohol with food. A home care giver can assist seniors who want to indulge in a little holiday drinking make sure that they get safely safe from holiday parties and events.
Sticking to a diabetes meal plan and healthy lifestyle choices can be tough when there are temptations and holiday gatherings that make it easy for seniors to splurge. The good news is it can be done when older adults make it a priority to look for diabetes friendly alternatives to traditional holiday dishes, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, avoid skipping meals, and limit their alcohol intake.
Comfort Keepers® Calgary Can Help with Tips for Diabetes
If you are concerned about the safety of your aging loved ones, especially in regard to fire, we can help. While it’s important to rely on the expertise of licensed professionals for certain precautions, we can provide home safety assessments and ensure your loved ones’ environment is safe.