The Right Diet for Seniors

In old age, our body goes through a lot of changes. The bones get weaker, the digestion system does not function as well as it used to, muscle strength deteriorates, and the immunity system is weakened. The nutritional needs of individuals also change significantly as they age.

To maintain good health, seniors must eat carbohydrates, minerals, proteins, and vitamins in easy-to-digest small frequent meals every day. To avoid the ill-effects of free radicals in the body, vitamins E, C, and A, plus certain minerals are essential. It is important to eat the right types of foods to fulfill the requirement of nutrients in the body. If you are unsure what is right for you, speak with your doctor. Some medications may interact with certain foods, or you may have other restrictions.

A healthy diet for seniors should consist of the below.

• Include protein rich elements like beans and cheese made from low-fat milk in your daily meal. They help to repair worn-out cells and develop new tissues.
• Add seasonal fruits and vegetables in your diet. They not only work as antioxidants but also prevent constipation and other common problems of the body.
• To improve the cholesterol level in the blood, use mustard oil or olive oil in your cooking instead of corn or vegetable oils.  
•  Vegetable soups without thickening agents can be great for supper. They also make easy 6 small easy to digest meals and snacks throughout the day. Just watch the sodium level.
•  Avoid processed foods containing artificial colors and preservatives. 
• Eat potassium-rich foods such as bananas, mushrooms, peas, broccoli, fenugreek seeds, sweet limes, coconut water, and cumin seeds to maintain blood pressure, prevent water retention, and increase muscular flexibility. 
• Drink about 12 to 15 glasses of water to avoid the risk of dehydration and muscle density reduction in summer. 
• To keep the vital nutrients in the food, do not overcook it. It is also good to include granola, oats or porridge in your breakfast to get a sufficient amount of energy for the entire day.

If you are looking for professional Elder Care Assistance in Contra Costa County, get in touch with Always Best Care. Their compassionate and trained caregivers can help you with your physical, social, and emotional needs. For more information, call (925) 210-0323.

Safe Driving Tips for the Elderly

Driver safety calls for more than just understanding the traffic laws and road signs. As you get older, you are likely to have many physical changes which make certain actions, like braking or turning your head to look for the oncoming traffic, a little more challenging. Hence, it is important to know a few safe driving tips that can help avoid the risk of accidents.  

          
Some driving guidelines for the safety of seniors are:     

• Avoid driving during the peak hours of high traffic.
• Take less traveled roads, for instance, avoid major expressways during rush hour and take smaller highways.
• Try to avoid driving at night if you have poor vision.
• Raise the level of your seat to have a clearer vision of the road.
• To improve visibility, try to keep your mirrors, headlights, and windshields clean. 
• Stay alert and be aware of flashing lights of emergency vehicles if you have poor hearing. 
• Minimize any distracting noises, including cell phones, music, talk shows, or conversations of passengers inside the vehicle.
• Keep a proper distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you so that you could have a sufficient enough time to brake safely fast.    

It is also important to keep the accessories of your vehicle in a proper working condition to avoid any failure. 

If your health does not allow you to drive, you can always ask your children or other family members to help you with transportation. However, if they are unable to help, you can consider hiring a caregiver. Always Best Care is one of the leading providers of Senior Home Care Services in East Bay and has a team of well-trained and experienced caregivers. They are thoroughly screened and bonded before hiring. To learn more about Always Best Care and how they can meet your care needs, feel free to call them at (925) 210-0323.