5 Ways to Maintain Healthy Cholesterol in the Senior Years

An elevated cholesterol level may be a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease and stroke. While high cholesterol may be related to advancing age, genetics, and family history, lifestyle factors also play an important role. Here are several ways seniors can modify their lifestyles to lower their cholesterol levels. 

 

1. Maintain a Healthy Weight

As seniors age, it can become more difficult to lose weight. Certain factors, such as hypothyroidism, blood pressure medications, and chronic pain, can make dieting and exercise difficult. However, it’s important to try to maintain a healthy weight because excess weight raises cholesterol levels. In addition to raising total cholesterol, excess weight also raises low-density lipoproteins (LDLs). This type of cholesterol is also known as “bad cholesterol” because it can heighten the risk of arteriosclerosis. 

One of the many ways to ensure your loved one maintains a healthy weight and enjoys a high quality of life is to hire a professional caregiver. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional in-home care. Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.

 

2. Monitor Medication Side Effects

If your loved one takes medications known as beta blockers, his or her cholesterol levels may rise. Beta blockers are used in the treatment of high blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia, migraines, and anxiety, and they can interfere with the body’s ability to metabolize cholesterol, leading to hypercholesterolemia. If your loved one has a personal or family history of elevated cholesterol levels, talk to his or her doctor about alternatives to beta blockers. 

 

3. Consume More Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in freshwater fish such as salmon as well as nuts, tuna, and flaxseed, and they can lower total cholesterol and raise high-density lipoproteins, also known as “good cholesterol.” High density lipoproteins are thought to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, unlike LDL cholesterol, which is thought to increase the risk. 

Before increasing your loved one’s intake of omega-3–rich foods, talk to his or her doctor. Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids can inhibit platelet aggregation, raising the risk of abnormal bleeding. They may also intensify the action of prescription anticoagulant medications. 

Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Livingston, NJ, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care. Our caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity.

 

4. Don’t Smoke

Smoking raises the risk of pulmonary disease and high blood pressure, and it can also increase total cholesterol levels and lower levels of good cholesterol. It’s thought that cigarette smoking damages the tiny capillaries in the body, which may be one reason for elevations in cholesterol. 

If your loved one is unable to quit smoking independently, ask his or her physician for help. The physician may recommend smoking cessation options such as nicotine replacement patches or gum, oral medications, or smoking cessation support groups. 

 

5. Enroll in an Exercise Class

Joining an exercise class can help seniors meet new friends while avoiding social isolation. It’s also more enjoyable to exercise with others because everyone can motivate one another. Even mild exercise can dramatically lower high cholesterol while enhancing cardiovascular function. Before signing up for an exercise class, your loved one should get a checkup to make sure he or she is healthy enough to engage in frequent exercise. 

Seniors who need assistance making healthier lifestyle choices or managing daily tasks can benefit from professional in-home care. If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Livingston families can trust. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia. We will work with you to create a customized home care plan that’s suited for your loved one’s unique needs. Call the Assisting Hands Home Care team today.