By Dr. Au-Co Ly Nguyen, Guest columnist
As we age, incorporating simple-yet-effective practices can make a significant impact on our health. With 2024 just around the corner, there’s no better time to explore how seniors can make better and healthier changes in the new year. From making your homes more senior-friendly to embracing low-impact exercise, maintaining a balanced diet, and incorporating helpful tools and gadgets, these tips can help ensure a “golden” new year.
Over time, our living spaces need to adapt to our evolving needs. Creating a safe and accessible living space is a crucial step in promoting overall well-being for seniors.
A few tips you can do around your home include:
- Decluttering and organizing living spaces to reduce the risk of falls.
- Removing loose rugs.
- Securing handrails in hallways.
- Ensuring proper lighting in all areas.
- Installing grab bars in bathrooms.
- Investing in non-slip mats or stickers that can be placed on the floor, improving traction when walking around the house.
All of these steps can help prevent accidents and foster an environment that promotes independence and comfort.
Another aspect of healthy well-being is exercise.
It’s never too late to start or modify a fitness routine. Low-impact exercises are gentle on joints and muscles, making them ideal for seniors. Activities such as walking, swimming and cycling provide cardiovascular benefits without excessive strain. Chair yoga, tai chi, dancing and gardening are excellent choices for improving flexibility, balance and mental well-being. Seniors should aim for at least 30 minutes of activity a day, along with muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days.
Muscle-strengthening activities include:
- Seated leg lifts.
- Calf raises.
- Seated top taps.
- Bicep curls (this can be done seated or standing) using light weights.
- Resistance-band exercises.
Maintaining a healthy diet is an especially important part of our health as we age.
Seniors should focus on…
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