When the sunsets come earlier and the temperatures drop, it can be tempting – indeed, maybe just human nature – to cuddle up in a warm blanket and hunker down until spring. But it’s important to maintain healthy habits throughout the winter months, especially for seniors.
If you have elderly family members or other loved ones who live on their own, you can help them maintain – or even improve – their health during the winter months by focusing on four key things: exercise, diet, protection from diseases, and mental wellness.
Indoor exercise
It can be a struggle for the heartiest of us to head outside for exercise during the winter months, but maintaining physical strength is key to overall wellness. That’s why it’s important to identify some indoor alternatives to outdoor walks and other activities. Here are just a few suggestions:
● Chair yoga: A low-impact exercise that improves balance, flexibility, mobility, and muscle strength.
● Walking: A low-impact exercise that helps seniors stay active and mobile.
● Pilates: A low-impact strength program that helps develop core strength and stability.
● Strength training: Can help build muscle, improve balance, and fight age-related abdominal fat.
● Swimming: A cardiovascular workout that doesn't strain joints because the water provides support.
Immune boosting nutrition
A healthy diet is essential to a strong immune system. As we age, nutritional needs and eating habits may change for a variety of reasons. But in addition to a weakened immune system, poor nutrition and/or malnutrition can also affect heart health, lead to type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer, and even weaken bones and muscles.
A well-balanced diet includes a variety of vegetables, whole fruits, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat dairy and protein. The American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends including foods rich in the following nutrients to strengthen immune system health:
● Protein – seafood, lean meats, poultry, eggs, beans, peas
● Vitamin A – sweet potatoes, carrots, broccoli, spinach
● Vitamin C – citrus foods, strawberries, certain cereals
● Vitamin E – almonds, hazelnuts, peanut butter
● Zinc – lean meats, poultry, milk, whole grain products, beans
Disease prevention
Contagious diseases such as the flu can be annoying for most of us, but for some older people, these types of infections can become deadly. One of the best ways to stop the spread of contagious diseases is handwashing. From the common cold to walking pneumonia and the flu, diseases that are spread by contact can be shut down by handwashing. Thorough and frequent handwashing can help prevent the spread of disease-causing germs from one person to another. The CDC recommends handwashing:
● Before, during, and after preparing food
● Before eating
● After using the toilet
● Before and after caring for someone who is ill
● After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
Another great source of protection from infectious diseases is up-to-date vaccines. Vaccines are most effective when everyone is protected, so consider both flu and COVID shots for your friends and family as well as your senior loved one. Complications of the flu can be especially severe in older adults, but the flu vaccine may reduce their risk of flu-related illness by up to 60%, according to the CDC.
Crimson Village creates opportunities for indoor and outdoor exercise, as well as well-planned nutrition, to help maintain health and wellbeing in the winter months and throughout the year. We also create an environment of fun and fellowship every day to establish and maintain a happy sense of belonging. Crimson Village works to establish the natural sense of community that comes with craft projects, sing-a-longs, and other community activities.
You can learn more about the welcoming atmosphere at Crimson Village – as well as the many other amenities, floor plans, and medical support – by exploring our website or contacting our helpful team members by email at marketing@crimsonvillage.com or by phone at 205-632-6699 to discuss your specific needs.
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