For the past few years, many people have focused on the immune system and how they can strengthen it to overcome many things. For seniors, this concern has been forefront for even longer. The good news is that there are several things people can do to boost their immune system, ranging from getting enough sleep to investing in self-care. With the help of 24-hour home care, seniors can implement many of these techniques into their everyday routines. Consider the following ways to naturally build the immune system, leading to a healthier mind and body.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep
It’s true. At the end of the day, it’s really about the end of the day. How seniors prepare for bed and when they go to bed can be essential for getting a good night’s sleep. Seniors need at least seven to nine hours of sleep each night. This can be difficult to achieve as they may have aches and pains or even chronic conditions that make sleep more difficult.
Since sleep is essential for the body to reset and recharge, seniors who have difficulty can work with their 24-hour care team and medical professionals to discover the best ways to get the sleep they need. Options might include a change in medication, repositioning the bed, or decreasing late-night eating.
Paying Attention to the Diet Is Essential
A good diet can provide a plethora of benefits. Seniors should focus on whole plant foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes. These foods offer valuable antioxidants that can reduce inflammation.
Healthy gut microbiota can boost immunity and prevent dangerous germs from entering the body through the digestive system. This is important because heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and several other senior health issues are associated with chronic inflammation. Additionally, foods higher in fiber nourish the gut microbiome or the population of beneficial microorganisms there.
Additionally, vitamin C, abundant in fruits and vegetables, may shorten the duration of the common cold. 24-hour home care for seniors supports them with healthy meal planning and assistance with food preparation or cooking.
Don’t Forget to Move
While intensive exercise might depress the immune system, moderate exercise can actually strengthen it. This is good news for seniors whose activity levels might have decreased due to mobility issues. According to studies, even one session of moderate exercise can improve the efficacy of vaccines in those with weakened immune systems. This is good news for seniors whose activity levels might have decreased due to mobility issues. For the best benefits, 24-hour home care professionals can work with seniors to increase their daily activity levels.
Regular, moderate exercise may also lessen inflammation and promote regular immune cell renewal. Seniors should strive for 150 minutes or more of moderate exercise per week.
The above examples are just a few ways seniors can naturally increase their immune system. With the help of 24-hour care, they can feel supported and safe when adding these techniques to their routines. Focusing on these three will give them a good jumpstart toward a healthier immune system.
Source:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27881064/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26477922/
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/how-sleep-bolsters-your-immune-system
https://www.healthline.com/health/flu/boost-immune-system-over-65
If you or an aging loved one are considering 24-hour home care in Sudbury, MA, please contact the caring staff at PlatinumCare + today. Call (617) 237-0867
PlatinumCare + was born out of the desire and passion to provide the very best home health care possible in Brookline, Dover, Newton, Needham, Watertown, Weston, Cambridge, Lincoln, Sudbury, Belmont, Boston MA, and surrounding areas.
All with decades of experience, Tim in IT Operations, Support, and Management, Brenda in Client Relations, Healthcare Services & Sales Management, and Anne in Healthcare as a Nurse Practitioner combined their skills to form what is now PlatinumCare +.
As immigrants to the US, all came from backgrounds where Healthcare for aging parents was a responsibility of the immediate family and the entire community. Aging, sick, or terminal community members were cared for physically, emotionally, and financially by family, friends, including strangers! This community approach, Healthcare with a difference, delivered with the utmost love, care, sacrifice, and passion, forms the basis of how PlatinumCare + grounds itself.
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