Understanding Weight Loss as a Senior

Many seniors still have to focus on being a healthy weight because when they are in a healthy weight range they can minimize health problems and live a high-quality life at home for much longer. Being overweight or underweight can cause significant health problems no matter how old or young you are. But if a senior wants to age in place for as long as possible, even with the help of senior home care, they need to focus on weight and being as healthy as possible. This does not mean that seniors need to weigh themselves every day, but it does mean they need to make conscious lifestyle choices that will help them keep their weight down in a healthy range. This also is something that a doctor should always monitor. Getting older naturally comes with many changes, especially physical, so here are some things you need to know about weight loss in senior years.

Why Do Seniors Gain Weight?

There are some surprising ways that your body will change as you age. You may not lose or gain weight, but how you hold muscle and fat drastically changes as you age. This is important to note because you may be in a healthy weight range but look different, which can lead to mental changes. That is okay, and it’s normal. On the other hand, if you notice a senior is putting on weight, they should talk to a doctor to figure out why, but here are some things it could be.

• New Medications
• Lack of Proper Sleep
• Stress About Life
• Thyroid Issues
• Lack Of Protein Being Absorbed
• Nutrient Deficiency

One of the best things your loved one can do is check their vitamin levels to see where they are lacking, maintain a healthy thyroid, and constantly check on medications and any unwanted side effects. If your senior is having a hard time managing all of their appointments and needs more help remembering to make healthy foods and taking vitamins, these are tasks that senior home care can help your loved one with. All of the tasks which senior home care can help with will help a senior live healthily and maintain a good weight but there always needs to be guidance from the doctor.

Weight Gain Can Cause Many Issues

Many older adults fear weight gain because of looks, but the truth is being overweight can cause a lot of unwanted health issues. For the most part, it has nothing to do with looks, but it has everything to do with aging in place for as long as possible. When a senior is overweight they risk having joint pain and pressure, heart problems, sleep apnea, diabetes, and high blood pressure. All of these can cause a senior to feel more pain than is necessary and can even be deadly for seniors.

Does Your Senior Need To Diet?

Diet has a bad reputation because generally, people think of a yo-yo diet or something unstable that makes you lose weight and gain it back faster. Your seniors should be focused on eating fresh, whole foods, so they should be dieting. However, they should never head towards a fad diet. Senior home care can help ensure your loved one is eating more nutritious foods than the doctor recommends.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Home Care in Glenwood, MN, please contact the caring staff at Alternative Senior Care today.

Providing Home Care in Central Minnesota and Surrounding Communities. Call us Today (320) 352-3350