Holiday Safety Tips For Seniors & Families

Maintaining a nutritious and healthy diet and lifestyle can be a challenge during the holidays, but you can do it! Follow these nutrition and lifestyle tips for senior holiday safety.

• Keep an eye on your blood sugar levels. For seniors, managing your blood sugar levels is very important. You don’t have to deprive yourself of sweet treats but eat them sparingly to avoid spikes and dips in your blood sugar.
• If you are supposed to watch your sugar or sodium intake, stick with it. There are many foods to substitute when you crave something you shouldn’t eat.
• Try to minimize how much you drink, or perhaps abstain completely. A crucial part of senior safety is awareness of any interactions or side effects that your medication may have when you drink alcohol.
• Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated is one of the best ways to stay healthy this season. Water isn’t just good for you physically, but it helps your cognition, too. The dry winter months can sap the moisture from your skin and cause dehydration, even if you don’t realize it’s happening. Dehydration can cause confusion, hunger, mood changes, body aches, and many other problems. So keep a bottle of water with you as you do your holiday errands, and have a cup within reach when you relax at home.
• Stay physically active. It’s challenging to find time for yourself during the hustle and bustle of the holidays. And exercise is the last thing anyone wants to do this time of year. However, you can’t overlook physical activity. It can increase your mobility and more, preserving your independence in the long run. Ask friends and family to bundle up with you to walk around the block if it isn’t wet or icy outside. There are also many indoor exercises for seniors that anyone can do from the comfort of home.
• Ask for help. If you’ve always been the one to host holiday gatherings at your home, passing the torch to another family member can be bittersweet. There is a lot of nostalgia and a feeling of pride that comes from hosting holiday dinners. But there is nothing wrong with asking someone younger to take over this tradition. Cleaning, cooking, decorating, and taking care of all the other preparations are a lot of work. But it shouldn’t have to fall on your shoulders.
• Don’t stress about gifts. Many people on a fixed income might find that their financial limitations keep them from purchasing many gifts. It’s okay if you can’t get the perfect gift for every family member. You can lower your stress and let yourself enjoy the season more by having a family grab bag or drawing numbers.
• Let yourself rest. As much as you should make sure you get active, you should also make sure to get plenty of rest as well. Traveling, visiting, errands, and everything else you have going on during this time can take a lot out of you, especially as you age. If you need to take a break, sit down, or take a nap, listen to your body’s needs. Give yourself time to recharge so you can come back feeling better. Also, you can’t underestimate the importance of quality sleep for seniors. Learn how you can improve your overall health with proper sleep hygiene.
• Consider purchasing a medical alert system. These products have developed from clunky, at-home systems to discreet mobile devices. The best Medical alert systems help older adults feel safe and secure inside and outside their homes when running errands, taking a walk, or even completing everyday activities like showering or cooking.