Why Should Aging Adults Try the Mediterranean Diet?

The Mediterranean diet can potentially be healthy for all adults, but it offers some particular health benefits seniors can take advantage of. Here are a few advantages that may make your elderly loved one want to give this diet a try.

Prevents Various Illnesses

The Mediterranean diet includes relatively small amounts of red wine. Unlike beer and liquor, red wine is healthy for the immune and digestive systems. The antioxidants in red wine slow the signs of aging and prevent many illnesses, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Quercetin, one of the antioxidants found in red wine, can kill cancerous cells, preventing various types of cancer, such as lung cancer. Drinking red wine can also provide other benefits, such as hardening enamel to prevent tooth decay. Family caregivers need to maintain a healthy lifestyle too, which involves self-care and making time to attend to their own wellbeing. In Arlington, respite care is a great help to many families. Caring for a senior loved one can be overwhelming at times, which puts family caregivers at risk for burnout. However, an in-home caregiver can take over your loved one’s care, allowing you the time you need to focus on your own health, maintain a full-time job, or care for other members of your family.

Strengthens Bones

The foods in this diet are loaded with calcium and other nutrients that are good for the bones. Bones become more fragile with age, and your loved one needs to prevent his or her bones from becoming too weak and leading to falls, broken bones, and other serious injuries. The calcium and nutrients consumed in the Mediterranean diet can keep joints supple and bones strong.

Keeps the Brain Active

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are essential for a senior’s brain health, and the Mediterranean diet is full of these oils. Fish, chicken, and olive oil contain large amounts of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which can help the brain function better and reduce the risk of dementia. Professional caregivers with training and expertise in nutrition can be a wonderful asset for seniors. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of elderly home care. You can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide an individualized care plan to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia.

Helps the Heart Stay Healthy

If your loved one is looking for a way to keep his or her cholesterol and blood pressure levels down, the Mediterranean diet may be the perfect choice. This heart-healthy diet consists of monounsaturated fats that can regulate blood pressure. The diet also promotes properly functioning blood vessels, which can prevent a heart attack, stroke, and diabetes. A professional caregiver with training in nutrition can be a wonderful source of information and encouragement as your loved one adopts new healthy habits, including eating more nutritious foods. Maintaining a high quality of life can be challenging for some seniors, but professional caregivers can help them attain this goal. Families can trust Arlington home care experts to help their elderly loved ones focus on lifestyle choices that increase the chances of living longer and healthier lives. If your loved one needs professional care, Home Care Assistance is here to help. To hire a compassionate, dedicated caregiver, call us at (817) 591-1580 today.