Bye-bye 2015 and hello 2016! With a brand new year stretched
out before you, what are your resolutions going to be? Are you going to try to
eat better? Exercise regularly? Spend more time with family? Whatever your
goals are for the New Year, tackle them with fierce determination!
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to regain your
independence, Life Alert Protection can help you to achieve that goal! If you
are an senior citizen looking to stay at home and out of senior care, then Life
Alert medical alert system is just for you! Their lightweight, waterproof
pendant can be worn around your neck or wrist, and with a simple touch of a
button you can summon an emergency medical response fast! Plus, Life Alert
knows that independent living requires 24/7 security which is why their
dispatch team is available all day and night, all year around, for the ultimate
in personal protection. So check off your first New Year’s resolution to remain
safe and independent in your own home with Life Alert Protection!
Now that you have taken care of your protection and safety
needs through Life Alert, you may still searching for the other New Year’s
resolutions to enhance your well-being. Well, HealthinAging.org[1]
recommends these top 10 healthy New Year’s resolutions for aging adults to help
achieve your goal of becoming and staying healthy all year long!
1.
Eat
fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, low-fat dairy and healthy fats.
In later life, you still need healthy foods, but fewer calories. The USDA’s MyPyramid
for Older Adults, (mypyramid.gov), and your healthcare provider can help you
make good choices. Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
Choose a variety with deep colors: dark green, bright yellow, and orange
choices like spinach, collard greens, carrots, oranges, and cantaloupe are
especially nutritious. Include nuts, beans, and/or legumes in your daily menu.
Choose fiber-rich whole grain bread, brown rice, and whole grain pasta. Pick
less fatty meats like chicken or turkey. Have heart-healthy fish, like tuna,
salmon, or shrimp, twice a week. Include sources of calcium and Vitamin D to
help keep your bones strong. Two daily servings of low-fat milk, yogurt, or
cheese are a good way to get these nutrients. Use healthier fats, such as olive
and canola oils, instead of butter or lard. Use herbs and spices to add flavor
when cooking, which reduces the need to add salt or fat.
2.
Take a
multivitamin. Check labels and choose a multivitamin that includes 100%
of the “Daily Value” for most vitamins and minerals.
3.
Be
Active. Physical activity can be safe and healthy for older adults —
even if you have heart disease, diabetes, or arthritis! In fact, many of these
conditions get better with mild to moderate physical activity. Exercises such
as tai chi, water aerobics, walking, and stretching can also help you control
your weight, build your muscles and bones, and improve your balance, posture,
and mood. Check with your insurance plan to see if you are eligible for the
SilverSneakers program, which can provide access to local fitness centers.
4.
See
your doctor regularly. You should have a complete physical at least
once a year. At each visit, talk to your healthcare provider about all the
medications you’re taking, and whether you should keep taking them. Ask whether
you should be getting any immunizations/shots or screening tests for vision,
hearing, and other conditions such as breast or colon cancer or osteoporosis.
5.
Toast
with a smaller glass. Excessive drinking can make you feel depressed,
increase your chances of falling, cause trouble sleeping, interact with your
medications, and can contribute to other health problems. One drink = 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of
wine, or 1.5 ounces of hard liquor. The recommended limit for older men is 14
drinks per week and for older women, 7 per week.
6.
Guard
against falls. One in every three older adults falls each year — and
falls are a leading cause of injuries and death among older adults. Exercises
such as walking or working out with an elastic band can increase your strength,
balance, and flexibility and help you avoid falls. Also ask your healthcare
provider to check that you’re not taking any pills that can make you more
likely to fall. Eliminate items in your home that are easy to trip over, like
throw rugs. Insert grab bars in your bathtub or shower, and install night
lights so it’s easier to see at night.
7.
Give
your brain a workout. The more you use your mind, the better it will
work. Read. Do crossword puzzles. Try Sudoku. Socializing also gives your brain
a boost, so join a bridge club or a discussion group at your local library or
senior center. Or take a course at your local community college — some offer
free classes for adults 65 and older.
8.
Quit
smoking. Did you know that cigarette smokers are twice as likely to
develop heart disease as non-smokers? It is never too late to quit. You can still reduce your risk of many health
problems, breathe easier, have more energy, and sleep better if you quit
smoking. You can access the National
Cancer Institute’s website (www.smokefree. gov) for resources. Additionally, ask your healthcare provider
for help. Don’t lose hope if you failed
to quit in the past. On average, smokers try about four times before they quit
for good.
9.
Speak
up when you feel down or anxious. About 1 in 5 older adults suffers from
depression or anxiety. Some possible
signs of depression can be lingering sadness, tiredness, loss of appetite or
pleasure in doing things you once enjoyed. You may also have difficulty
sleeping, worry, irritability, and wanting to be alone. If you have any of
these signs for more than two weeks, talk to your healthcare provider and reach
out to friends and family.
10.
Get
enough sleep. Older adults need less sleep than younger people, right?
Wrong! Older people need just as much - at least 7 to 8 hours a night. Avoid
daytime naps, which can keep you up in the evening. Visit the National Sleep
Foundation (www.sleepfoundation.org) for more tips on how to sleep better.
New Year’s resolutions can be tough, but if you have the
right tools it can be quite simple! With Life Alert, personal protection has
never been so easy. Say bye-bye to 2015 and senior care - and hello to safety
and independence in 2016 with Life Alert’s emergency response system! One touch
of a button can get you help fast, 24/7, for any emergency such as a fall,
heart attack, stroke, fire, and even a home intrusion! A new year boasts the
opportunity for a brand new you and with Life Alert Protection you can be sure
that you are coming through strong on your personal protection resolution! To
learn more about all of Life Alert’s lifesaving services that can help you
bring in the New Year, call 1-800-513-2934 for a FREE brochure.
Works Cited:
1.
“Top 10 Healthy New Year’s Resolutions for Older
Adults.” HealthinAging.org. November
2015.
