Senior Living: Heart Healthy Month
02/26/2013
[/caption]Did you know that services from senior living communities can help you or your elderly parents promote a healthy heart? February is Heart Healthy Month, making now the perfect time to learn about how important it is to keep the heart strong, especially in old age. Here’s a look at what Heart Healthy Month is all about and how senior living communities can help.Promoting AwarenessThe primary reason for Heart Healthy Month is to promote awareness of heart disease and how widespread and dangerous it is.- What is heart disease? This term describes several heart conditions, including coronary heart disease (also known as coronary artery disease) and cardiovascular disease.
- How widespread is heart disease? This condition is the leading cause of death in both men and women. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that each year, an estimated 600,000 Americans die from heart disease. That means about 25 percent of all deaths in the U.S. are caused by this condition.
- Eat a healthy diet: Senior living communities often provide healthful meals and snacks to residents, which play an important role in maintaining a healthy heart. Fresh fruits and vegetables, foods low in fat and cholesterol, limited sodium, and high-fiber options can help lower blood pressure, too.
- Maintain a healthy weight: The key here is to get enough exercise. Senior living options often provide fitness activities and many have equipment that residents can use at their leisure to stay fit and maintain their weight.
- Don’t smoke: Senior living employees can help encourage seniors who want to quit smoking. This step improves their heart health and provides other benefits as well.
- Take the proper medications: A great part about senior living communities is that personnel is available to help ensure each resident has access to their medications and takes them according to the doctor’s orders.
- Manage health conditions:. Senior living arrangements can be made to help seniors keep track of their blood pressure, cholesterol levels, diabetes, and other conditions.