Senior Living

Staying Healthy in Retirement

Follow the Doctor’s Orders

March 4th, 2015

follow what the doctor saysIt is all too common for senior citizens to ignore the advice of their doctor and do what they think is best instead. In fact, people of all age ranges do this. No one should take these liberties, but seniors are particularly not in the position to rewrite their doctor’s orders. Seniors are more susceptible to illness than the rest of the population, so following the instructions that their physician creates for them can mean the difference between life and death.

Creating medication directions are one of a physician’s primary duties. Most seniors are on some kind of prescription medication, and the instructions for taking these medications come directly from their physician’s medical opinion. It is unwise to presume you know better than your doctor. Do not veer away from your doctor’s instructions unless they encourage some range of experimentation. Doctors carefully create medication instructions for seniors in the best interest of their health, and seniors will be at their optimal health if they follow these instructions.

Doctors will give seniors a range of health advice about things other than medications, such as exercise, health safety and daily routines. It is equally important that seniors heed this advice as it is for them to follow medication instructions. A doctor’s advice on exercise, routines and lifestyle choice is their way of treating an entire person rather than just treating bodily symptoms. Following a doctor’s advice on these matters can profoundly affect a senior’s health for the better.

And lastly, simply being diligent about keeping doctor’s appointments is very important to a senior’s health. The doctor’s opinion should be a highly prioritized one to seniors. Skipping appointments or constantly rescheduling means that you will be delayed in receiving necessary health guidance. Keep your doctor’s appointments regular and in line with the recommended frequency of visits for best health results.

Nutrition for Seniors

March 4th, 2015

seniors and nutritionA major facet to the health profile of senior citizens is their diet. Seeing that seniors receive proper nutrition is vital to their health. Seniors are in a phase of life where many bodily systems are slowing down and not operating like they used to, and a nutritious diet can mean the difference between a vibrant, active retirement and a declining, unhealthy retirement. People of all ages should make healthy eating a priority, but for seniors, it is particularly important to their daily bodily functions that they maintain a healthy diet.

Seniors should have a focus on eating foods that are full of vitamins and nutrients. Eating foods that contain anti-inflammatory ingredients is important to all bodily systems, in particular the cardiovascular system and the joints. Eating spicy natural foods such as cayenne pepper and jalapenos is excellent for the immune system and for circulation. Making sure to take in probiotics is vital to the digestive system and eating antioxidants helps cleanse the body of toxins. Many seniors refer to the advice of nutritionists who specialize in senior diets.

Practicing portion control is very important to seniors. Overeating can cause conditions such as obesity, diabetes, stroke and heart disease. Over-eating and under-eating are dangerous at any age, but in senior years, a balanced diet is very important to general health and well-being. Weight is any way to assess whether or not a senior is making use of proper portion control.

Avoiding foods that are known to cause health issues is also critical to a senior’s health. The golden years are not the time in life to be eating excessive fats, sugars, carbohydrates or processed foods. These foods are known to cause and speed up health conditions that a person has or is predisposed to. More than any other phase of life, it is important for seniors to take in plenty of vitamins and nutrients in their diet.