February is not just the month of love; it’s also American Heart Month — a perfect time to focus on the health of our hearts. Today’s seniors are staying active and living longer than ever, and maintaining heart health is crucial to living life to the fullest.
Here are a few simple yet effective ways to care for your heart and the hearts of those you love:
Heart-Healthy Nutrition
As we age, our nutritional needs change, and adopting heart-healthy eating habits becomes even more important. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help keep your ticker in top shape. Limiting salt and saturated fats helps manage blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Our Dining Services team does a remarkable job of making healthy eating options accessible and enjoyable.
Stay Active, Stay Heart-Strong
Regular physical activity is a cornerstone of heart health. For seniors, maintaining an active lifestyle is all about finding activities you love and modifying them, as needed, to fit your abilities. Gentle activities like walking, chair exercises, or yoga can be adapted to various fitness levels. Organized communal activities and games are also great for promoting movement and social engagement.
Moosehaven’s New York Sports Complex offers a fitness center, bowling alley, billiards, shuffleboard, and darts. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the beautifully maintained walking paths, 400-foot fishing pier, and weekly golf outings. Water aerobics in the heated indoor pool and line dance classes in the club house are also popular year-round for staying heart strong.
Routine Health Care
Regular health check-ups are vital for seniors to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, and other key indicators of heart health. Wellness programs can provide information on the importance of preventive care, empowering both seniors and their families to stay proactive in managing heart health.
Moosehaven’s onsite HealthCare Center offers the highest quality of care including a physician staffed clinic, therapy department, and pharmacy. Various levels of care are available including independent living, enhanced living, skilled nursing, dementia/memory care, and Hospice services.
Stress Management
Stress can impact heart health, so a supportive atmosphere that promotes emotional well-being is essential. Stress-relieving activities such as gentle breathing exercises, meditation, art, and music are all great ways to care for your heart. Our Resident Services team offers a full schedule of activities including worship services, social hours, trivia, bingo, and other games to help residents reduce stress and stay engaged. Dedicated hobby rooms for crafting, sewing, ceramics, model trains, and more also offer therapeutic benefits.
Hydration Matters
Finally, proper hydration is often overlooked but plays a crucial role in heart health. Seniors should have easy access to water throughout the day and consider incorporating hydrating foods like fruits and vegetables into meals and snacks.
American Heart Month serves as a reminder for seniors and their families to prioritize heart health. By embracing heart-healthy nutrition, staying physically active, getting regular health check-ups, managing stress, and prioritizing hydration, seniors can take proactive steps toward a happier, healthier heart.