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Health, Fitness and Nutrition For Senior Citizens

senior citizensDoes old age mark the end of physical fitness? If you retire from work, with reduced responsibilities, does it mean you can retire from exercise as well? At any given age, physical fitness and exercise play a crucial role in leading a healthy lifestyle, especially for senior citizens. Whether you’re young or old, working out and keeping yourself active shouldn’t stop as exercise is important even when you’re a senior citizen.

Here are a few benefits of working out for Senior Citizens

  • Prevents Diseases & Chronic Conditions: Being regular with any kind of physical activity helps keep away diseases like diabetes, heart ailments and cancer.
  • Reduced Risk of Fall: With old age, the risk of falling increases, which can have a disastrous effect on being independent. Exercise improves the strength and flexibility of the body and as a result, it improves balance and coordination.
  • Improved Mental Health: Exercise induces endorphins – the happy hormone, which helps to feel good and keeps stress away. Exercise has a direct impact on sleep. Insomnia and disrupted sleep patterns which are common aspects with senior citizens is taken care of with regular exercise.
  • Social Engagement: Responsibilities reduce with age and so does the social life. Being regular with any kind of activity, be it yoga or a laughter club, helps to interact with people of the same age with similar problems. Now, they have their own tribe and this brings in confidence as it deals with depression and loneliness.
  • Better Cognitive Function: Fine-tuned motor skills improve cognitive functions which lower the risk of deteriorating memory, thinking, behavior and the ability to perform daily activities.
  • Keeps Weight in Check: Metabolism slows down in old age and as a result, losing weight becomes a challenge. Regular exercise helps in increasing metabolism and losing weight.

Get Started With an Activity

  • Walking: Be it brisk walking or a stroll in the park, walking improves stamina and makes you feel good!
  • Yoga: It helps in improving flexibility and mental health.
  • Workout at Fitness Studios: Use body weight to keep fit and meet like-minded people!
  • Swimming: Ideal for those having aching joints as it is not weight bearing. Swimming will help you tone your body and improve stamina.
  • Cycling: Low impact sport which is good for the cardiovascular system.
  • Resistance Bands: Improves muscle strength, balance, coordination and range of motion.
  • Laughter Clubs: Laughter is the best medicine. Visiting laughter clubs will help you stay positive and stress-free.

Points to be Kept in Mind:

  • Get a clearance from your Doctor about your fitness regime
  • Start with warm ups and end with cool down to prevent injuries
  • Always start slow and gradually increase the intensity
  • At any point if discomfort or pain is felt, stop immediately and consult your Doctor

Nutrition for Senior Citizens

Eating the right food in old age is very important as weak bones, lower immunity, poor digestion are all a part of the routine. Hence, eating healthy is very important.

Tips for Healthy Eating:

  • Have five to six small meals during the day to help in better digestion and absorption
  • Since appetite reduces with age, care should be taken to include sufficient proteins like whole grains, eggs, milk products, chicken, fish, etc.
  • Eat a good amount of fruits as they are rich in antioxidants
  • Including salads helps to keep constipation at bay due to their fiber content
  • Stay hydrated with sufficient amount of water
  • Avoid processed food

Eating right and exercising can help you stay youthful and active even in old age! We hope this article helps. Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

For more on healthy living, check out Healthy Reads. To get the right tips and guidance from an expert, subscribe for GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

Wish you all a Happy and Healthy Senior Citizens Day!

#BeTheForce

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general awareness and educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalised medical guidance or concerns related to your health.

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Nutrition Guidelines For Seniors During Winter

nutrition guidelines for seniors

Maintaining immunity during winter is imperative, especially for seniors. It’s quite crucial to take care of their nutritional needs as they face the greatest risk of cold and flu viruses and issues like joint pain, hypothermia (which may also lead to stroke or heart attack), dry skin, aggravation of asthmatic attacks or respiratory problems. So, let’s look at some nutrition guidelines for seniors during winter! 

Nutrition Guidelines For Seniors 

Some daily dietary nourishment tips that can help seniors tackle common winter problems include:

  • Omega-3 fatty acids: Fatty fish like salmon, tuna, mackerel, walnuts, flaxseeds, chia seeds and avocado are some excellent sources of Omega-3 fatty acids.  Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial in reducing inflammation especially in arthritis, curbing heart disease and they also play a role in cognitive development in elderly. 
  • Seasonal fruits and vegetables like all the leafy greens, berries, citrus fruits, root vegetables like beetroot, carrots and sweet potatoes. All of these are high in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber which help easing the bowels. 
  • Winters mean less exposure to the sun which may be a reason for Vitamin D deficiency and impaired calcium absorption which affects bone health further. Hence, Vitamin D fortified cereals, egg yolk, milk and milk products need to be a part of the diet regularly.
  • The cold climate leads to less water intake due to the urge to urinate frequently which can act as a hindrance to our elders to maintain optimal fluid intake. Inclusion of warm soups, decaffeinated beverages, warm milk, vegetable juices, citrus fruits and gourd vegetables help them in maintaining the hydration status. A well hydrated body aids good digestion, helps in transport of nutrients and also improves the performance of joints and muscles.
  • Habituate elders to have 5-6 small but frequent meals. It is essential for improving metabolism, regulating insulin levels and improving calorie intake in older individuals who face a diminished appetite. 

Apart from good nutrition, maintaining some basic physical activity within the vicinity of the house is equally important to reduce joint pains and muscle stiffness by improving blood flow to all parts of the body and aiding better digestion and good metabolism.

We hope these nutrition guidelines for seniors during winter helps you take care of the elderly in your family and around you. Do leave your thoughts in the comments below. For more on healthy living for senior citizens, check out Healthy Reads or ask a GOQii Coach by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce 

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Coronavirus Prevention Tips For Older Adults

Prevention Tips For Older Adults We are well aware of how contagious COVID-19 is. Research has found that the coronavirus creates inflammation in the body. Inflammation has been connected to most of the major diseases of our time and over half of us are living with chronic inflammation driven by diet, stress and lack of sleep. According to the National Foundation of Infectious Diseases, older adults are considered to be at high risk as compared to others because their immunity weakens as they age. The risk increases with 50+ and those who are 85+ are more vulnerable to severe infection. WHO has provided guidelines and coronavirus prevention tips for older adults to manage themselves during this pandemic. 

Coronavirus Prevention Tips For Older Adults 

Some of the basic guidelines suggested by WHO include: 

  • Washing hands frequently with proper hand wash
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose and ears with unwashed hands
  • Wear a mask when going out
  • Clean frequently touched surfaces with disinfectants
  • Avoid going out if you are sick
  • Cough or sneeze into your flexed elbow to avoid spread of the virus
  • Maintain social-distancing of about 6feet (1meter)
  • Do not go out in public places even if you feel healthy, if important follow all the instructions given by local authorities
  • Socialize over the phone with friends and relatives
  • Avoid unnecessary traveling

For Adults With Health Conditions 

  • Older adults with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, BP, cholesterol, thyroid, kidney problems, asthma etc. should avoid going out. Do not visit the hospital unless necessary. 
  • Take precautions if you suffer from respiratory disorders 
  • Monitor your health via devices to avoid panic. You can use the GOQii Smart Vital to measure your blood oxygen levels (SpO2), body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure. You can also use the GOQii Vital ECG to check and detect issues such as arrhythmia and other abnormalities in heart rhythm.  
  • Prefer online consultation and purchase medicines online too.
  • Plan 2 weeks in advance and purchase daily requirements online
  • Get vaccinated as soon as you can. For now, this is the best preventive measure you can take.
  • Forego vices such as smoking, alcohol and consuming tobacco products as they may deteriorate or worsen health conditions. 

Some Health Tips You Can Follow 

  1. Switch to a healthy diet: Include whole grains, cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts.
  2. Maintain healthy weight: If overweight, try to reduce your weight gradually in a healthy way. Your GOQii Coach can help you with this!
  3. Reduce stress: Don’t panic in critical situations and don’t over stress as this can lead to low immunity levels.
  4. Sleep well: Proper and timely sleep is very crucial in maintaining health. The quality of your sleep also matters. Read more about sleep in our Sleep Series: https://goqii.com/blog/?s=sleep+series 
  5. Keep yourself hydrated: Have at least 3 liters of water everyday. Should be adjusted according to individual needs.
  6. Exercise regularly: Even mild exercise such as walking or yoga accompanied by pranayama can go a long way in keeping you healthy!
  7. Boost your immunity: Immunity of a person can be boosted in many ways through nutrition, exercise, etc. It is believed that acquired immunity can be made strong by following a healthy lifestyle. Get some immunity boosting tips here: https://goqii.com/blog/?s=immunity 
  8. Avoid processed and packaged foods: They are high in fats, sugar and salt. Preservatives present in these items lower our immunity.

Foods That You Can Eat 

  • Dark green leafy vegetables: Such as spinach, methi etc. are rich in vitamins and minerals. 
  • Fruits: Especially citrus fruits like orange, strawberry, sweet lime, lemon etc.
  • Unsalted nuts and seeds: Flax seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds etc. provides good fats.
  • Fatty fish: Salmon, sardines are rich sources of beneficial fatty acids and omega 3.
  • Olive oil and coconut oil: Prefer cold pressed, virgin, double filtered and filtered ones.
  • Millets and whole grains: Ragi, oats, barnyard, little millet etc. as they provide more fibers compared to refined products.
  • Green tea: Rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, green tea helps in boosting immunity.
  • Herbs: such as ginger, garlic, turmeric pepper corns, cinnamon, giloy, tulsi, etc. helps in boosting immunity.
  • Probiotics like curds, ACV etc. keep the gut healthy! 

We hope these immunity boosting coronavirus prevention tips for older adults help you stay healthy and active! Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! For more on the health and wellness of senior citizens, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to classes on GOQii Play. 

To get more tips directly from your GOQii Coach, sign up for personalized coaching now: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr 

#BeTheForce 

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Home Safety Tips To Prevent Falls In Older Adults

prevent falls in older adultsAs you grow older, physical changes and health conditions, as well as the medications used to treat those health conditions, can lead to falls in older adults. So, it’s very important to make sure that the older adults at home are safe. If you’re an older adult or have someone older who stays with you, here are a few things you can do to ensure their safety and prevent falls. 

Tips To Prevent Falls In Older Adults 

  1. Pack up Clutter: The best way to prevent falls is to keep your home neat and tidy. Take away all clutter such as stacks of old newspapers, boxes, magazines and electrical cords, particularly from hallways and stairways.
  2. Repair tripping hazards: Sometimes home fixtures can contribute to falls which can result in injuries. Examine each area of the house, looking for things such as loose carpet, holes or long threads in carpet, slippery throw rugs or wood floorboards that stick up. Then repair, take away or replace those things to prevent falls.
  3. Install grab bars and handrails: These safety devices are essential for going up and down stairs, getting on and off the bathroom, stepping in and out of the bathtub while not injuring you. Use a shower seat, which permits you to sit down while showering. If you live in an apartment on a higher floor, you can request the society to make these additions or repair handrails if not sturdy.
  4. Avoid wearing loose clothing: Loose fitting garments can make you more likely to fall. Select better-fitting and properly hemmed clothing that doesn’t drag on the floor.
  5. Adequate lighting: To make a home that is more safe for older adults, install brighter, light-weight bulbs wherever required, particularly in stairways and narrow hallways. Place night lights in the bedroom and bathroom.
  6. Make it non-slip: Bathrooms as well as floors in kitchen, toilet, and porches can become more dangerous once wet. To prevent fall on smooth surfaces, prefer non-slip mats. Secure loose rugs with round faced tape, tacks or a slip resistant backing. Use self-adhesive, non-skid mats or safety treads in bathtubs and showers. Place non-slippery rugs on bathroom floors and pads under rugs on clean floors.
  7. Choose footwear wisely: Consider changing your footwear which should be properly fitted, durable shoes with non-skid soles to prevent falls. You can also purchase non-slip socks that have grips on the soles of the feet if shoes are uncomfortable.
  8. Make sure that chairs and beds are durable and easy to get into and out of & that tables and benches don’t have sharp corners.
  9. Differentiate between the stairs: Ageing eyes might not be able to separate one step from the next. To help, you may try replacing the carpet on every step to make the steps easier to identify. In the case of bare steps, try painting each step a unique color. You can request your society to do this if you live in an apartment. Every older adult in your building will benefit from this! 

We hope these tips help you prevent falls in older adults at home! Do let us know your thoughts in the comments below. For more on the health and wellness of senior citizens, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to classes on GOQii Play. 

To get more tips directly from your GOQii Coach, sign up for personalized coaching now: https://goqiiapp.page.link/wssu   

#BeTheForce 

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