Elder Care in River Oaks, TX
As they age, many seniors find they have digestive troubles. Some of these may be caused by dietary choices, and others may be symptoms of more serious medical conditions. Any elderly care patient experiencing bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn or stomach pain should reach out to their doctor for advice.
But whatever the cause of gastrointestinal distress, there are some dietary choices that can help ease the symptoms.
- Many people are surprised that the first recommendation is to stay hydrated, but getting enough water is one of the most important things your senior can do to stay healthy. They should be drinking at least 6 8-oz. glasses of water a day. A couple of easy ways to help them remember how much to drink are to either have them line up six glasses every morning and have them be finished at night or to get a pitcher that they can fill with 48 ounces of water and then pour from throughout the day.
- In addition to drinking water, they should try to keep a consistent daily schedule for eating. Especially during the holidays this can be a challenge with large family meals, but an important idea is that they still eat 3 meals that day with one slightly smaller and one slightly larger. Try to encourage them not to overeat at the holiday meal as that will almost surely result in increased pain and discomfort for them going forward. And if they do eat one larger meal a day regularly, encourage them to make that one lunch so they have plenty of time to digest it while they are awake and active.
- While consistent portion sizes are indeed important, so is what they are eating. Eating low fat proteins, high fiber, low salt, and keeping sweets to a minimum are of course ideal, but very few people can eat that way all the time. So encourage at least moderation. Help them make better choices. If they are a salty snack eater but struggle with high blood pressure, for example, teach them that they can make hot air popcorn (in a hot air popper or in the microwave) and add some salt-free seasoning. Things don’t have to taste bad to be healthy!
- Encourage them to stay active. Regular exercise, even if it is limited in duration and intensity, can help keep their digestive system on track. It isn’t a cure-all, but it is without a doubt one of the best self-help remedies out there.
If you or an aging loved one are considering in-home elder care in River Oaks, TX, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (832) 271-1600
Co-Owner at At Your Side Home Care
For most of us, the word "home" evokes warm feelings of comfort, security and well-being. For older adults, home also means holding tight to cherished memories and maintaining self-esteem and independence. When illness, injury or age make life a little more challenging, remaining at home in a comfortable, familiar environment encourages recovery and enhances the quality of life. Home can be defined as a private residence, an independent or assisted living facility or even a short term stay in the hospital, we recognize the additional benefits provided by a personal, professional assistant.
Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.
Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.
Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week
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