Make Your Senior Years Healthy

Since Americans are living longer, it is more important than ever to take care of yourself to ensure your later years are good ones.  The National Institute of Health (NIH) explains there are real benefits to a healthy lifestyle and adds that it is never too late to begin.  Another recently published study by Sian Robinson, a professor of nutritional epidemiology at the University of Southampton, also emphatically states that, "Improving the quality of your diet can have a beneficial effect on health, whatever your age."

Experts advise that one of the best things older adults can do to stay healthy is to eat a balanced diet and to keep their minds and bodies active.  Other healthy habits include not smoking, getting regular checkups and learning how to prevent falls. 

At the FamilyDoctor.org website, they remind seniors that even small changes such as daily physical activity can make a difference.  Moreover as you increase your physical activity, it will help to strengthen your bones and muscles, which in turn can help prevent falls.  If you do fall, stronger bones are less susceptible to breaking. 

Participating in routine physical activity also helps your brain and studies indicate that people who regularly exercise make better decisions.  In fact exercise is so important to our health that experts say the benefits outweigh the risk of an exercise-related injury.  Even chronic health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease may improve with exercise.   The NIH does suggests that seniors new to exercising start slowly; and before you begin any new exercise, consult your health care provider.   

Another easy-to-do tip from Family Doctor is to eat food high in fiber.  Not only does it help your colon work better but it may help to reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.  Some research suggests it may help to lower your cholesterol levels.   Whatever healthy changes you decide to incorporate into your everyday life should help you feel better and can be done over a period of time.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar at Golden Ridge, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities.  Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve.  Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to see for yourself the finest independent and assisted living in the Peoria/Glendale area.