Care from the Heart for Your Seniors 

By Greg Bechard

We all want long, healthy lives. Your aging parent may recognize their limitations but longevity and good health in their golden years are on their wish list, too. They have been independent, taken care of their families, and enjoyed the many benefits of living in Canada. They don’t want to shy away from new adventures, especially as they get to have fun with their co-retirees and grandchildren. To accomplish this, caregivers like yourself understand that it may take a bit of work to ensure that Mom and Dad have the quality of life they deserve.

One way to give your parents better opportunities to live a fulfilling life in their senior years is through the services of a personal support worker. These trained professionals understand the needs of the elderly and provide help in many ways, with a generous measure of kindness and compassion. When you choose services such as personal care assistance, cooking for your senior, or companionship, you help boost their quality of life. You also reap the benefits of your own peace of mind that they are well-cared for.

How You Can Provide Excellent Heart Care for Your Senior

The body does amazing things, and when properly taken care of, it will continue functioning as it should. The heart is a mainstay of living. It continually pumps blood throughout the body, delivering much-needed oxygen throughout it. Some people, especially seniors, may develop heart conditions that needs to be managed, sometimes with just ongoing prescription medication and other times with a combination of implant devices, cardiac procedures, and medication. Your aging parent may have congenital heart disease. They may need better meal options, and they may thrive with the assistance of an in-home care professional. In all cases, you are at the helm to provide them with what they require.

February is Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week in Canada

You may think of love during February and find a variety of ways to celebrate the loved ones in your life. It is also an opportune time to be aware of the complications that arise from heart disease. In Canada, one week each February is set aside to encourage people to care for their hearts, especially if they have a heart condition they inherited genetically.

Elderly adults will face different challenges as they continue to grow older. By understanding the effects of these heart defects, you can better encourage your loved one to manage their health. Here are some facts to consider:

• It is something they have had since birth. The term congenital means they were born with the condition. It affects the way blood flows through the heart. There are different levels of the disease, from mild to life-threatening.
• It increases their risk for some specific medical conditions. Mom may have pulmonary hypertension or arrhythmia. Dad may have infective endocarditis, anticoagulation, or congestive heart failure.
• It requires taking care of oneself to ensure a better quality of life. There is no better reason to encourage Mom and Dad to take care of themselves than to ensure they have an excellent quality of life. This can be accomplished through nutrition and exercise, as well as seeing the appropriate specialists for management.

When looking toward ways to assist your senior with managing the effects of their heart disease, look closely at what they are eating. Our bodies need the proper nutrients to ensure they function as they should. Heart-healthy meals cooked at home are a great start. When you cannot be there to make the delicious lunches and dinners, enlist the services of a home care worker. They can take a load off your plate.

Learn more about The Basics of Congenital Heart Disease in Adults.

Heart-Healthy, Hearty Meals for Seniors

Eating can be challenging at any age. Some people are picky eaters. Some will choose sweets over vegetables even when they know it is not a good choice. Cooking for seniors adds another layer of complexity with boredom, ill-fitting dentures, and declining taste buds. The critical step to take when planning heart-healthy meals is to focus on getting as much nutritional mileage out of the foods you choose. Having the right ingredients on hand will make meal prep a breeze. Some ingredients that are nutritious and hearty include:

• Almonds and walnuts: These nuts have omega-3 fatty acids to support vital bodily functions. They are also rich sources of calcium, fibre, and magnesium.
• Beans: Kidney beans and black beans are particularly rich in calcium, B-complex vitamins, fibre, and folate. They are filling and easy on the food budget.
• Berries: Delicious in yogurt, or eaten plain, berries are high in antioxidants and fibre. They also have calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins.
• Carrots: They do more than make your eyes strong. Carrots are high in carotenes which may help lower the risk of heart disease and stroke.
• Dark chocolate: Yes, some chocolate can be good for you! The dark variety has resveratrol and cocoa phenols, which may help lower blood pressure.
• Fish: Choose salmon and tuna for a satisfying protein loaded with omega-3s. This fat is good for the heart as it can decrease the risk of abnormal heartbeats, among other advantages.

Heart-healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring. It can be fun and enjoyable, especially when you have help cooking for seniors. Having Mom’s diet under control is only part of the larger picture of heart health. She will probably have prescription medication, too, that will need regular monitoring.

Find here some New Recipes to Feed the Heart and Stomach.

Medication Reminders & Nursing Care for Seniors with Heart Disease

Many heart conditions become easier to manage with a healthy lifestyle to support treatment and medications. Your senior parent must take their medicines as prescribed. This basically means following the instructions on the label and setting reminders. For the best results, it helps to enlist the services of an elder care professional to ensure your loved one has additional support for:

• Taking medications at the same time every day. You do not want your elderly parent to inadvertently skip a dose that helps keep their heart beating in a steady rhythm.
• Being aware of symptoms of side effects. All drugs have side effects, and when you have several to manage, it is possible that things could sometimes go awry.
• Knowing when the prescriptions need refilling. The extra set of eyes ensures that your aging senior doesn’t run out of appropriate medications.
• Ensuring medications are taken as prescribed. Not only do prescriptions need to be taken on schedule, but some medications may also need to be taken with a meal or plenty of fluids.
• Aiding with lifestyle changes. Your loved one may need to make some significant lifestyle changes. It’s beneficial to have someone who can support their efforts to eat better, exercise, and take their medications in a timely manner.

Remembering to take prescribed drugs should not be hard when help is available through a elder caregiver. They support your loved one in many ways, leaving you the time you need to handle your responsibilities.

Learn some Tips for Better Medication Management.

Healthier Hearts and Help from Quality Elder Care Providers

Ensuring your senior has the support they need to keep healthy and manage heart disease is possible. Look to the services from Home Instead Etobicoke / North York. Our caring staff stands ready to aid your senior with eating healthier, taking their medications, and focusing on a better quality of life. We offer suitable types of home care services tailored to your senior’s needs. To learn how we make life better for our seniors, please contact us.

Call us at (416) 239-2200 to schedule a no-obligation, in-home consultation. Learn more about the compassionate, quality senior care we deliver daily to families in All Etobicoke including: Kingsway, Mimico, Long Branch, Islington, Richview, The Community of Humber Heights, Rexdale, Markland Woods North York West including: Willowdale, Rexdale, Downsview, Humberwood, Weston, York University Heights, Humber Summit and areas in between..