Taking care of your heart is essential, especially for our loved ones as they get older. Fortunately, there are a few key ways to boost heart health to the strength it needs.

1. Stay Active

Regular physical activity is important for keeping a heart strong and to lower blood pressure and cholesterol. However, staying active doesn’t necessarily mean doing high-intensity workouts. Walking, gardening, swimming, and yoga can all be great ways of getting the cardio your body needs to stay active while still being low-impact. A home caregiver can also help motivate a senior to stay active by being there for them as a spotter, so they can feel safe and secure while staying healthy.

2. Eat Heart-Healthy Meals

Diet is just as important for staying heart-healthy as staying active. Avoid foods high in cholesterol and salt, and instead, opt for nutrient-rich vegetables and fruits. Low-fat cheese and milk, whole grains, and lean meats are also great for you. A professional home caregiver can make it easier to stay heart-healthy by assisting with grocery shopping and cooking meals, too!

3. Reduce Stress

Stress can have a bad impact on heart health. Long-term stress, especially, can increase cortisol levels, which can increase blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglycerides, each of which are risk factors for heart disease.

Home caregivers can help to reduce potential stressors as our loved ones get older by providing additional help around the house, with medications, and with other daily activities such as grocery shopping or getting dressed. Additionally, a home caregiver can provide companionship, which is important not only to our heart health but our emotional health.

According to the National Institute on Aging, adults older than the age of 65 are at a much higher risk of heart-related incidents than younger adults. From helping with grocery shopping to tidying your home to reduce stress, home care services can benefit your loved ones in more ways than one. For more information on Phoenix home care and how our services can boost heart health and more, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at Home Instead today.

Posted 8/30/23