With the new year already upon us, you may be wondering how you can help your elderly relatives be healthier in 2025. Last year could have been pretty tough on them with plenty of illnesses making their rounds. Elderly people are far more susceptible to catching bugs that stick around for a long while. Their health is now more important than ever and you need to know what to look out for. There are always so many pieces of advice and guidance, it can be hard knowing what is right and wrong. Check out the article below to find out how you can take care of them and how they can take care of themselves.
Drink Water
One of the best things you can do for your elderly relatives is encourage them to drink at least two liters of water each day. Throughout the day people will lose water through the natural processes of sweating, breathing, and peeing. If this doesn’t get replaced then you can quickly start to feel the effects of dehydration. Dehydration in elderly people can lead to more serious incidents. If they are complaining about feeling lightheaded, exhausted, and having a headache then encourage them to drink water.
It can be tricky staying hydrated, especially if they don’t like drinking water. You can make it easier for them if you invest in flavored water pods to add to the water. These not only make the water taste nice but also give an extra boost of vitamins and nutrients. The issue they could run into, as with many water drinkers, is the frequent visits to the bathroom. Water flushes the system so they may complain about using the toilet or not being able to make it to the toilet.
Getting Enough Sleep
Sleep is so important when it comes to health. If they don’t get enough sleep then they can end up feeling irritable and exhausted while trying to function through the day. Adults and the elderly need around six to eight hours of sleep each night. This should be solid, undisturbed sleep as waking up regularly means you aren’t getting into the deeper stages of sleep that really matter.
Elderly people can have poor quality sleep due to waking up regularly through the night. This can be due to various aches and pains keeping them awake. It could also be due to needing to pee frequently through the night. Speak to your relatives about how old their mattress is, if they have had it longer than eight years then it is time for a new one.
Watch What They Eat
Another thing you need to encourage your elderly relatives to do is enjoy a healthy balanced diet. As people get older, the metabolism slows right down meaning they won’t be able to enjoy larger meals anymore. However, this doesn’t take the joy out of eating altogether. They just need to eat smaller meals more frequently. Overeating or indulging in junk food regularly could mean they are more susceptible to weight related conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and strokes.
Home cooked meals are far more nutritious and better for them, if they struggle to get into the kitchen to cook then you could make them batch meals each week. There are also companies who can deliver food to your elderly relatives if you don’t have the means to cook for them. Invite them around to your home as often as you can, not only providing them with a hot meal but some company as well.
Exercise More
There is something that goes hand in hand with healthy eating, that’s exercise. The more you encourage them to move, the healthier they will be. Ideally speak to them about completing 45 minutes of gentle exercise each day. This could be anything from swimming to yoga, as long as it gets their heart rate up they will be doing good for their mind and body.
You might want to help them sign up to local exercise classes. This will get them moving and they can also make some new friends. Elderly people quite enjoy activities like aqua aerobics as it is gentle on the joints. You need to think about what is good for them rather than what will aggravate them. If the exercise is too strenuous then they could be doing more harm than good.
Socialize
Studies have shown that the more you socialize and see your friends the less likely you are to suffer from cognitive decline as you age. The older generation should always be encouraged to get out and meet friends so they aren’t stuck at home all day. It can get very lonely for your elderly relatives so make sure you put some time aside to see them and invite them around to your place. There are many places that hold classes and socialization for elderly people. They will be dotted around your local neighborhood so make sure you take a look if they aren’t able to look themselves. If they struggle getting out and about due to medical conditions then it might be worth speaking to a doctor or social worker. They could need a carer to pop in and see them from time to time.
Manage Stress Levels
Something that can have a huge impact on health is stress. Stress is known as the silent killer and can lead to more serious issues such as burnout. This happens when someone takes on too much in a short space of time without taking breaks. The retirement age keeps getting higher, however health levels remain the same. If your elderly relatives are still working and leading a busy hectic life, then they can be more susceptible to stress. Try and find ways for them to manage this and lessen their load. Don’t be afraid to offer to do their shopping for them or to drive them somewhere to grab dinner one evening. They will appreciate all your help and it will make them feel better instantly.
Avoid Bad Habits
If you are often finding that your elderly relatives are engaging in bad habits then they may tell you that they may as well enjoy the little things that give them pleasure. While this may be true, if they are also doing more harm than good then perhaps you can help them find new habits. Drinking and smoking has been linked to many medical conditions, both physical and mental. For instance, drinking can be associated with several mental health complaints like anxiety, depression, and other low issues with low mood. If you think their bad habits are spiraling out of control then speak to them about it, alternatively you could contact their doctor.
Attend Regular Checkups
As people get older, it is essential they attend medical checkups. At various points they will be called for screenings for different cancers. This can include but isn’t limited to breast and bowel checks and screenings. With illnesses and flu like symptoms becoming far more prevalent these days then it is vital you are looking after their health. Make sure they get their flu jabs if they are eligible for them. Flu in the elderly can be detrimental and particularly life threatening. Don’t be afraid to speak to your relatives about various conditions as some can be seen as taboo.
Use Sunscreen
Elderly people will often complain about wrinkles and skin care. If this is the case then you could speak to them about the importance of sunscreen. Even if there is no sun visible, it doesn’t mean that the harmful rays won’t get you. Sunscreen should be applied each day before a good quality moisturiser. If they aren’t sure on which one to use then you could help them do their research on which one to invest in.
Take Care While Out
If your elderly relatives regularly go out and about then they could be more prone to falls and accidents. As people age they need to be far more aware of their surroundings and hidden curbs. With a world full of uneven payments and stretches of road then they may benefit from a fall detection. This will alert the company that there has been an accident and help will be sent out.
Look After Their Mental Health
As well as looking after their physical health, it is essential their mental health is also taken care of. The last thing you want for your elderly relatives is for them to suffer with their mental health. The issue could be that it spirals into other complications like not wanting to meet anyone or not wanting to leave the house. Their mental health issues could stem from deeper rooted issues so it might be worth speaking to them about seeing a counselor or therapist to help them deal. There are plenty of therapists out there, it is all about finding the right one. They might want to consider CBT, EMDR, or another form of therapy.
We hope this article helped you understand how you can better manage your health in the new year. You may have set your new year’s resolution to look after yourself a bit better, if this is the case then now is the best time to start. Once you get yourself into a great routine, it will feel like second nature.
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