Even though the general life expectancy of Americans has steadily increased over the past few decades and medical advances in geriatric care have improved the quality of life for seniors, Americans still face extremely high rates of chronic illness. Heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure are just a few examples of chronic illnesses common among seniors. This doesn’t necessarily have to be the case! A few small lifestyle changes can have a surprising big impact on how well seniors age.

How Caregivers Can Help Their Senior Patients Live a Vital Life

Caregivers can help seniors enjoy active, fulfilling, and healthy lives in a variety ways. While proper nutrition and diet is especially important for seniors, physical activity is equally if not more important in a variety of ways. And thanks to the availability of mobility aids for seniors such as medical walkers, caregivers can help seniors maintain a sense of independence while they exercise. Mobility devices for seniors make staying active easier and encourage a healthy lifestyle.

In addition to mobility and walking aids for seniors, caregivers can help ensure the reflexes of their senior patients remain sharp by using MDF reflex hammers. As people age, their reflex responses often become duller and slower over time. Caregivers can use MDF reflex hammers the same way a doctor would to test the reflexes of their senior patients. The use of MDF reflex hammers can help caregivers have a better idea of the overall health of their senior patients, and determine if further medical treatment is necessary.

In addition to physical activity and reflex testing with MDF reflex hammers, caregivers can help seniors remain mentally and emotionally healthy by encouraging companionship and utilizing brain games such as puzzles. These activities not only combat feelings of loneliness and provide a sense of support, but brain games can help to stave off conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. Brain games work by keeping mental skills sharp and encourage the brain’s neurons to form new pathways. Learning can be used as a tool to keep seniors on their mental toes and engaged, providing an additional sense of purpose while relieving boredom.