Tips for Helping Older Adults Reduce Their Cholesterol Levels

High cholesterol is usually associated with an increased risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes, which is particularly true for men over the age of 45 and women over the age of 55. If your senior loved one has high cholesterol, it needs to be addressed as soon as possible. The La Mesa in-home care experts at Coast Care Partners share a few tips on how to help older adults lower their cholesterol levels.

Encourage Physical Activity

One of the most important things older adults can do to lower their cholesterol is to get up and move. Most doctors recommend seniors get at least 30 minutes of exercise on a daily basis, which might include walking, biking, swimming, dancing, or playing tennis. If your loved one is used to being sedentary, he or she can start with just a few minutes a day and gradually work his or her way up. Your parent should also add more activities to the day, like cleaning, shopping, gardening, or mowing the lawn.

Promote Healthy Weight Loss

Being overweight or obese could raise your loved one's cholesterol and compromise his or her health. Encourage your parent to reduce his or her calorie intake by eating healthy meals.

Serve Foods That Lower Cholesterol Levels

Some foods decrease bad cholesterol levels, particularly those that are high in soluble fiber, like oatmeal, beans, barley, and other whole grains. Nuts lower cholesterol, and they can protect the heart as well. Fish is another good option for lowering cholesterol and increasing heart health.

Discourage Smoking and Drinking

If your loved one is still smoking, it's time to stop. Studies show that secondhand smoke can raise a person's cholesterol, but those numbers go down when a person stops smoking. It's also time to cut back on the beer, wine, and liquor. While your loved one doesn't have to stop drinking completely, it's recommended that men over 65 have just two drinks a day, while women over 65 have just one.

Encourage Laughter

Studies have shown that when people laugh, it increases the good cholesterol and decreases the bad cholesterol in their bodies. Laughter is also an excellent stress reliever, so tell your loved one some jokes, watch some funny movies together, and encourage him or her to spend more time with funny friends and family members. Older adults who need help with daily tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices can benefit from professional senior care. La Mesa families trust Coast Care Partners for high-quality in-home care services. We are a reputed caregiver agency with several years of experience in offering customized and quality-assured home care for seniors. Whether your aging loved one needs minor help with daily tasks or extensive 24-hour care, we are here to help. Call us at 619-354-2544 to learn about our in-home care options.