Low energy is a common issue among the elderly, but there are ways to avoid it. Many older adults can increase their alertness, focus, and stamina by making certain lifestyle changes. Here are a few simple ways to boost energy levels in the senior years.
1. Enhance Sleep Quality
Just because your senior loved one gets plenty of sleep every night doesn’t necessarily mean he or she is going to feel well-rested. Poor sleep can increase the risk of health issues such as high blood pressure, depression, and dementia. To enhance sleep quality, your loved one should create a strict nighttime routine that puts him or her in the right state of mind just before bed. Your loved one also needs to get into bed at the same time every night to develop a consistent circadian rhythm.
Practicing good sleep hygiene is just one of the many ways to boost health and energy levels in the golden years. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional home care. Lincoln, CA, Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
2. Eat Energy-Boosting Foods
Without eating a healthy diet, staying energized throughout the day may be challenging. Seniors should consider sticking to a diet filled with high-quality protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats, which are slowly broken down by the body to provide long-term energy. Those who are feeling a bit lethargic can gradually increase their carbohydrate intake until they have found a good balance of macronutrients.
3. Avoid Simple Carbohydrates and Refined Sugar
Unhealthy foods packed with simple carbohydrates, white sugar, and processed additives provide a sudden burst of energy, but they result in a crash later. The occasional treat is perfectly fine for most seniors, but those who have issues with chronic fatigue must limit their intake of candies, baked goods, white bread, and other unhealthy foods.
4. Stay Active
Most physical activities that raise the heart rate also provide energy. As the red blood cells begin to flow throughout the body, they energize all the major muscle groups and organs. Regular exercise can also alleviate a variety of issues that might be impacting your loved one’s mobility, such as arthritis.
Some older adults need assistance with exercise. If your senior loved one needs help managing an illness or assistance with daily tasks, make sure you choose a top-rated home care agency. Lincoln Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life in the golden years. From the mentally stimulating activities in our Cognitive Therapeutics Method to our friendly Care Managers who are available to answer your questions 24 hours a day, we offer a wide array of high-quality at-home care services.
5. Keep Hydrated
As your loved one grows older, dehydration may become more difficult to recognize. Your loved one might experience chronic dehydration for weeks without even realizing it, which could eventually affect his or her wakefulness. Everyone has slightly different hydration needs, but most seniors should aim for eight full glasses of water per day.
6. Skip the Tobacco Products
Up until a few decades ago, cigarettes and other tobacco products were marketed as energy-boosting items, but scientists now know those claims are false. Tobacco might boost energy for a few minutes, but the effects are short-lived. Over time, a smoker’s body stops producing vital hormones unless there is nicotine in his or her system. Seniors who use tobacco products should speak with a doctor about treatments to help them quit.
Seniors need to make a few healthy lifestyle choices to boost their energy levels. If your loved one needs help maintaining healthy habits and accomplishing daily tasks, a Lincoln caregiver from Home Care Assistance can help. Our caregivers are expertly trained to provide mental and social stimulation, assist with exercise, prepare nutritious meals, and much more. To learn about our premier in-home care options, give us a call at (916) 226-3737 today.