Maintaining a healthy body should be second nature. Unfortunately, with so many pollutants in
the environment that affect everything from our food to the air we breathe, maintaining good
health now requires a more conscious effort. Seniors are particularly challenged as their risk of
diseases increases, not just because of these pollutants, but also due to advancing age. Luckily,
you can simplify the seemingly gargantuan task of staying fit and healthy in your golden years
by simply focusing on the following key elements.

Exercise

It’s no secret that exercise is great for everyone, but the truth is that nobody benefits more from
it than older adults. Regular physical activity helps regulate weight, which, in turn, reduces the
threat of diseases. Not only that, but it also increases strength, balance, and flexibility, which
drastically cuts down the risk of dangerous falls.

Of course, seniors need to be extra careful when looking to add physical activity to their lifestyle.
As a rule of thumb, it’s important to consult with your doctor to know if you have any restrictions
or specific needs that need to be accommodated before committing to an exercise regimen.
You should take your personal preferences into account, as well. For instance, if you’re not
keen on spending too much time outdoors, consider indoor exercises. This can be as simple as
stretching or walks around your local mall or a museum, or somewhat more challenging like
swimming or using a home gym or even right in front of your TV with home fitness videos. The
possibilities are varied and plenty, so you always have an opportunity to move.

Diet

On the other side of the coin is, of course, your diet. It’s a fact of life that as you get older,
healthy eating becomes more and more necessary. Essentially, this entails avoiding processed
foods in favor of more natural alternatives that are richer in the nutrients that you need.
There are numerous resources today that promote and encourage healthy diets among seniors,
such as MyPlate for Older Adults. Based on official dietary guidelines, MyPlate provides a clear
picture of optimum meals for seniors. This leaves out the guesswork in meal planning and
preparation, making it so much easier for you to make wholesome food choices.

Care

No doubt, a huge part of staying healthy is ensuring that you get adequate care as you go about
your life. As seniors, it’s definitely a possibility that to get the right amount of care, you will need
some assistance. It’s a good idea to pay close attention to your living arrangements and
perhaps even explore other options when you start experiencing challenges in your daily life.
Consider assisted living, if you need a measure of assistance but still wish to maintain your
autonomy. There are countless resources on the internet today that you can leverage to do your
due diligence. This way, you can find the right assisted living facility in your location that fits your
needs and preferences. You’ll also want to take into consideration your budget and proximity to
highly rated medical facilities and hospitals in San Antonio, such as Baptist Emergency Hospital
and Methodist Stone Oak Hospital.

Financial Security

And while we’re still on the subject of expenses, it’s no secret that money can greatly affect your
health and well-being, both physically and mentally. Financial stress, in fact, has been known to
come with serious health risks for older adults. For this reason, it’s important to be aware of the
benefits available to seniors that are designed to provide for healthcare and medical needs and,in some areas even senior living.

Article provided by Karen Weeks

karen@elderwellness.net

exercise is great -  https://medlineplus.gov/exerciseforolderadults.html

strength - https://www.runtastic.com/blog/en/how-to-improve-balance-and-stability/

using a home gym - https://www.medicare.org/articles/easy-exercises-seniors-can-do-indoors/

healthy eating - https://www.eatright.org/food/nutrition/dietary-guidelines-and-myplate/healthy-eating-for-older-adults

avoiding processed foods - https://www.wellandgood.com/good-food/how-to-stop-eating-processed-foods/

MyPlate for Older Adults - https://hnrca.tufts.edu/myplate/

hospitals in San Antonio - https://www.aplaceformom.com/assisted-living/texas/san-antonio

Financial stress - https://www.soundfinancialplanning.net/blog/reduce-financial-stress

assistance for seniors - https://www.debt.org/advice/financial-assistance-for-senior-citizens/

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