Millions of seniors battle high blood pressure. Aside from the use of medication, there are various ways to lower blood pressure. Making some lifestyle changes will help accomplish this and will also improve other areas of health. Sodium intake is one of the causes for high blood pressure, so the obvious is to reduce that intake.

Home Care Austin wants to remind all seniors that they should consult their doctor before making any  drastic changes to their diet and exercise. The following tips however are a good starting place for anyone looking to lower blood pressure.

1. Reduce sodium intake. Daily intake for seniors or anyone over 50 should be less than 2,300 mg per day. Take the saltshaker off the table and try to eat foods that are low in sodium.

2. Change cooking habits and do not use salt. There are other ways to get great flavor when cooking. Use herbs and spices and avoid using bullion and prepared sauces. They contain high amounts of sodium. When dining out, ask for food to be prepared without salt or request a low sodium menu.

3. Check the medications you are currently taking. Many of them do contain sodium. Talk to your doctor about adding an aspirin to your daily regime. This can reduce chances of stroke and heart attack.

4. Reduce stress, add some exercise and quit smoking. All of these will lower your blood pressure. Losing a few pounds will also be beneficial.

5. If you can, monitor your blood pressure at home. If these changes do not work, you may have to ask for a prescription medication. Doctors will also suggest increasing your potassium intake.

Source: hearthealthyonline.com

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Keeping Aging Relatives in Austin Safe and Independent at Home by providing senior home care for Austin Seniors and Elders. Call Home Care Austin 512-347-9207.

Q – I try to make sure I always have healthy snacks on hand for the seniors that I care for. As a caregiver, I feel that it’s most important to make choices that benefit the big picture, and that’s something I consider even with food. Any suggestions of less typical snack items that I might want to try that can satisfy hunger and have health benefits?

A – Sunflower seeds are one extremely healthy snack idea that you might not have considered. They can help curb hunger, and they are so rich in nutrients they actually meet the daily nutritional requirements for many essential vitamins.  They’re also crunchy, so they can be very satisfying to seniors and aren’t likely to be a snack that will have seniors searching for something else! Here are some of the specific health benefits of sunflower seeds:

• The Vitamin E contained in sunflower seeds helps with cardiovascular health and works as an anti-inflammatory

• Phytosterols in sunflower seeds help lower cholesterol and ensure it remains under control, which is especially important as many seniors struggle with their cholesterol levels later in life

• Magnesium can help reduce stress, blood pressure, and generally works to reduce tension in the body

• Selenium helps prevent cancer and works as a natural detoxifier

Via: WHFoods http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=57#healthbenefits

Post #3 – Sunflower Seeds: Healthy Snack You Might not Have Considered

Choosing healthy snacks is not always an easy choice for seniors, particularly when the options are some bland food item or something sweet, sugary and satisfying to the taste buds. But not all healthy snack food options are tasteless, and the health benefits can make them an extremely good choice when up against junk food!

Sunflower seeds are one healthy snack that many seniors might overlook, but they can be extremely satisfying, and the health benefits alone make them more than a worthwhile option; they meet many of your daily requirements for vitamins and nutrients and can help you lead a longer healthier life with the following overall benefits:

• The Vitamin E contained in sunflower seeds helps with cardiovascular health and works as an anti-inflammatory

• Phytosterols in sunflower seeds help lower cholesterol and ensure it remains under control, which is especially important as many seniors struggle with their cholesterol levels later in life

• Magnesium can help reduce stress, blood pressure, and generally works to reduce tension in the body

• Selenium helps prevent cancer and works as a natural detoxifier

Via: WHFoods

Keeping Aging Relatives in Austin Safe and Independent at Home by providing senior home care for Austin Seniors and Elders. Call Home Care Austin 512-347-9207.

Online Screening Service Provides Benefits Information for Seniors 

Many older Austinites need help paying for prescription drugs, health care, utilities and other basic needs. Ironically, millions of older Americans, especially those with limited incomes, are eligible for federal, state and local programs and are not receiving benefits.

To help make Austin seniors aware of these options, the National Council on Aging offers a comprehensive Internet-based screening service known as “BenefitsCheckUp.”  Since its creation in 2001, this program has helped more than 2.1 million seniors find more than $6.5 billion worth of annual benefits.

The service includes more than 1,550 public and private benefits programs from all 50 states.  Programs include healthcare; prescription drug assistance; heating and energy assistance; legal services; housing assistance; property-tax programs; nutrition programs; volunteer and training opportunities; and education programs.

Helping Austin Seniors and Elders stay home safely. Home Instead Senior Care Austin. (512) 347-9207.