Cholesterol on its own is not a bad thing. In fact, it is essential to the functioning of the body. Your body produces this waxy substance naturally in order to aid in the production of cells. When there is too much cholesterol in the blood, however, it can lead to problems. Excessive cholesterol in the bloodstream can cause buildup that prevents the blood from flowing effectively through the body, potentially leading to issues such as cardiovascular disease and increased risk for stroke and heart attack. Fortunately there are ways that you can help your aging parent to prevent high blood cholesterol, particularly if they have a certain risk factors.
Some ways that you can help your parent prevent high blood cholesterol include:
- Know your parents family medical history. While this is not something that your parent can modify or change, by knowing if their family has a history of high blood cholesterol, they can pay closer attention and to their own risk factors to further protect themselves.
- Encourage your aging parent to eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. It is especially important to emphasize getting enough dietary fiber in their daily diet. Most people do not get enough of this essential nutrient which aids in proper digestion and helps the body to flush excess cholesterol out of the blood system.
- Encourage your parent to stay physically active. Getting enough activity is important to all aspects of cardiovascular health. Regular exercise can help the heart and blood system to work more efficiently, moving excess cholesterol out of the system before it can cause problems and also reducing the amount of “bad” cholesterol that is produced.
- If your parent is overweight or obese, work with them and their doctor to help them lose the excess pounds. This will take strain off of the cardiovascular system and help the body to function more efficiently.
- If your parents smokes, encourage them to quit. Smoking causes damage to the blood vessels that can make it easier for cholesterol to get trapped and build-up, potentially leading to blockages that can lead to cardiovascular disease, increase risk for stroke and heart attacks, and other consequences.
If you have been looking for a way to enhance your aging parent’s quality of life as they age in place, starting elder care for them might be the ideal solution. An elderly home care services provider can be with your parent on a fully customized schedule to ensure that your parent has continued access to the care, services, support, and assistance that they require to manage their needs, challenges, and limitations in the ways that are right for them. This can help them to stay healthy, happy, safe, and comfortable, while also pursuing a lifestyle that is as active, engaged, fulfilling, and independent as possible throughout their later years. This highly personalized approach can include a wide range of services including transportation so that your parent can go where they need and want to go when they need and want to go there rather than always having to rely on you, assistance in fulfilling personal care tasks such as bathing, toileting, dressing, and grooming, mobility assistance to help them navigate their home safely, and companionship to boost their mental and emotional health and well-being.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring elder care in Greer, SC, contact Heart of the Carolinas Home Care at 864-991-3116. Providing Home Care Services in Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer, Anderson, Spartanburg, Mauldin, Seneca, Laurens, Charleston, Columbia and the surrounding areas.
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