Six Healthy Habits for Older Adults in and Around McKinney, TX

For seniors in Collin County, TX, keeping up with healthy routines can positively impact their physical and mental health, as well as their general quality of life, in so many ways. According to research, seniors who maintain a healthy routine can lower their risk of depression and cognitive loss, making it easier for them to maintain a sharper mind. In addition, keeping up with physical health can reduce a senior’s risk of developing health conditions like heart disease, osteoporosis and diabetes.

However, it can be difficult for seniors with age-related difficulties to incorporate these routines into their everyday life. For example, seniors with mobility issues can have trouble exercising regularly, while seniors with memory and cognitive issues may forget recipes for healthy foods or can have trouble falling asleep at night. However, with the help of a professional caregiver, seniors can get the support they need to stay on top of healthy habits.

If you’re concerned about your senior loved one’s health and well-being, consider in-home care from Visiting Angels McKinney. Since 2008, we’ve been helping seniors in McKinney, Allen, Frisco, Prosper and surrounding Collin County communities get the assistance and support they need to make aging in place a positive experience. Not only can we help your loved one with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), but we can also encourage your loved one to develop habits that help them maintain their physical, mental and emotional health.

How Visiting Angels Can Help McKinney-Area Seniors Maintain Healthy Habits

Professional senior care from a trustworthy home care agency, such as Visiting Angels McKinney, can assist your aging loved one in engaging in meaningful activities, such as engaging in a favorite hobby, going to a social event in the community or going for a walk around the neighborhood, that can help them maintain their health, independence and quality of life.

Our professional caregivers can support your elderly loved one's healthy lifestyle by encouraging them to:

Engage in Enriching Activities

In order to stay healthy, it’s important for seniors to engage in a variety of activities. Physical activities like light exercise can help manage symptoms of chronic illnesses, prevent the likelihood of developing certain health conditions, improve balance, reduce the risk of falls and so much more, according to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. In addition, mentally stimulating activities like reading, doing crossword puzzles and writing can lower the chances of cognitive decline for seniors.

Visiting Angels McKinney's caregivers will assist your aging loved one in participating in a wide range of activities that can improve their social, emotional, and physical health and well-being. Our in-home caregivers will get to know your aging loved one, including their likes and dislikes, in order to provide recommendations for fun and engaging activities in McKinney and throughout Collin County.

For example, if your loved one enjoys exercising and spending time outdoors, our caregivers can provide transportation to the McKinney Senior Recreation Center so they can participate in exercise classes or accompany them on a light walk through Celebration Park. If your loved one loves to read, our caregivers can take them to the Prosper Community Library to check out interesting books and remind them when it’s time to return the books they checked out.

Eat a Healthy Diet

A healthy diet diet is essential for seniors and can positively impact them in so many ways. Your loved one needs more vitamin and fiber-rich meals like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains as they age since their digestive system slows down. Seniors who increase their fiber intake have a reduced chance of developing diabetes, heart disease and kidney issues.

It’s equally important for seniors to get enough fluids. Seniors are more prone to dehydration because they usually don't feel as thirsty as they get older. In addition, certain chronic conditions and side effects from medications can make seniors lose fluids faster and increase their risk of dehydration.

At Visiting Angels McKinney, our home care services include planning and preparing meals, so we can help your loved one make delicious and nutritious snacks, meals and more. Our caregivers can also remind your loved one to drink enough water and other fluids throughout the day to ensure they stay hydrated.

Get Enough Sleep

Many seniors in McKinney and throughout Collin County have trouble going to sleep and staying asleep. Some sleep-related problems can be attributed to aging, while others can be caused by cognitive issues or symptoms of chronic illnesses. Regardless, it’s essential for seniors to get a restful night’s sleep. A recent study from the Journal of the American Medical Association found that seniors who woke up before 7 am and stayed active throughout the day not only performed better on tests that measured memory and thinking, but were also less likely to experience symptoms of depression.

If your senior loved one has trouble staying asleep at night, our home care services can help them sleep soundly throughout the night. We offer overnight monitoring and assistance, so our caregivers can help your loved one calm down and relax before they go to bed and help them if they wake up overnight. By creating a regular bedtime routine, Visiting Angels McKinney can help your elderly loved one feel more at ease and increase the likelihood of a restful night's sleep.

Socialize

Seniors in McKinney and the surrounding area can do a lot for their physical and mental well-being by spending time with friends, family and neighbors. Research has shown that seniors whose social lives are more active had greater improvement in cognitive function and less stress.

Visiting Angels McKinney offers companion care, so your senior loved one can receive meaningful companionship from a dependable and compassionate caregiver. We can also provide transportation to social gatherings so your loved one can spend quality time with friends and family.

If your loved one has trouble going out and socializing, our Social Care program can help them stay connected with important people in their life through social media and other digital tools.

Create and Stick to a Routine

Older adults are more likely to remain active, happy and healthy if they follow their regular routines. A caregiver from Visiting Angels McKinney can assist your loved one maintain their usual routines, whether that's a cup of coffee in the morning, an afternoon walk or a quiet environment before bed.

Get Regular Checkups

Since seniors are more prone to health-related issues, it’s important for your loved one to stay on top of their health by getting necessary checkups and being proactive about taking preventative measures. For example, annual physicals and going to the dentist every six months can help your loved one detect and prevent diseases and take care of their oral health. Your loved one should also consider getting a flu shot every year and getting vaccines for shingles and pneumonia, among others.

At Visiting Angels McKinney, our caregivers can help your loved one get to and from the doctor or dentist so they can get the checkups and preventative care they need. We can also provide reminders before the appointment so your loved one doesn’t forget. This can be especially beneficial for seniors who have cognitive and memory issues and may forget upcoming appointments. Our caregivers can also keep you and your family updated if concerns arise and help your loved one follow any recommendations from their healthcare provider so they can maintain their physical health.

Call Visiting Angels McKinney at 214-491-1999 or fill out our form to schedule a free in-home consultation and learn how our home care services can help your loved one stick to healthy habits!