As you get older, you start to hear things or even believe things about getting older that may not be true. Here are the four myths about aging that you have to ignore.
Sleep is Less Important
Sleep is just as important as it was when you were a child. Your mom and dad should try to get at least seven hours of sleep each night. Eight is better. To improve the odds for a good night’s sleep, they should stop drinking water a couple of hours before bed. That helps them avoid middle-of-the-night bathroom trips.
Your mom and dad need to avoid a heavy meal right before bedtime. Your parents should also create a bedtime routine that doesn’t vary. Talk to them about going upstairs, reading a book for an hour, and then turning on a fan for white noise.
Your Diet Doesn’t Matter
Diet is even more important as you age. For artery and muscle health, your parents need to avoid excess sodium and eat enough protein. They must avoid saturated fats and added sugars. They need to make sure they’re eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, legumes, and low-fat dairy that’s high in calcium.
Arthritis Limits Your Mobility
Arthritis is prevalent as you age. It’s hard to avoid it. Your toe and ankle joints, knee joints, and hip joints have handled your weight for decades. Understandably, they’d start to wear out and become painful.
When you have arthritis, mobility may seem counterproductive. It’s painful to walk around, so you shouldn’t. The truth is that you need to stay mobile. It’s what keeps the joints limber and reduces pain. If your parents want to avoid intense arthritis pain, daily activities and exercise are crucial.
Home Care Services Are Just for People Who Are Very Ill or Infirm
Are you among the number of people who associate home care as being something for an aging adult who is very ill or immobile? Home care can help people in those situations, but there’s far more to it. It’s about helping someone remain independent in their home for as long as possible. It’s a helping hand.
Relying on others for help doesn’t mean you’ve lost your independence. Reinforce that with your parents as often as you can. If they need help with daily activities, home care is the perfect solution.
With the help of caregivers, your parents don’t struggle with tasks like housekeeping or meal preparation. They have someone to help out, enabling them to maintain their independence as they age at home. Call a home care agency to learn more.