High levels of sugar and salt can lead to a number of health problems, including diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Therefore, measures must be put in place to monitor and reduce the intake, especially in aging adults. For those in assisted living communities, this might be a lot easier to achieve due to the standard and structure being maintained in the communities.
Assisted living communities in Parkland, FL has amenities and services dedicated to providing aging adults with the best possible care, including helping them manage their sugar and salt intake. Here are 10 ways that assisted living communities in Parkland can help aging adults manage their sugar and salt intake:
Offers Healthy Meal Options
The best way to manage sugar and salt intake is through a meal plan. Assisted living communities in Parkland can provide aging adults with healthy meal options that are low in sugar and salt. This can include fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains. This helps to reduce their sugar and salt intake and ensures a healthy and balanced life.
Provides Nutrition Education
Proper nutrition education can help aging adults in managing their sugar intake. Assisted living communities can offer nutrition education classes to help aging adults understand the importance of managing their sugar and salt intake. They can also provide information on how to read food labels and make healthy choices when grocery shopping.
Encourages Physical Activity
Physical activity can help aging adults maintain a healthy weight and lower their risk of chronic health conditions. Assisted living communities can offer a variety of physical activities, such as yoga and fitness classes, to help seniors stay active.
Monitors Blood Sugar Levels
Assisted living communities can monitor the residents’ blood sugar levels to ensure they are within healthy ranges. This can help them manage diabetes and prevent complications.
Offering Medication Management
Assisted living communities can assist with medication management, including ensuring that aging adults are taking the right medications to manage their blood sugar and blood pressure levels.
Offering Low-Salt Options
Providing food options that have lesser quantities of sugar and salt can greatly help aging adults in managing their sugar and salt intake. Assisted living communities can offer the residents low-salt options, such as grilled or baked meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grains as a replacement for foods that might be too high in salt and sugar content.
Monitoring Blood Pressure
Assisted living communities can monitor the residents’ blood pressure to ensure it is within healthy ranges. This can help aging adults manage hypertension and prevent complications.
Encouraging Healthy Snacking
Assisted living communities can encourage healthy snacking, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, and low-fat dairy products.
Offering Sugar-free Beverages
Assisted living communities can offer sugar-free beverages, such as water and unsweetened tea, to help aging adults reduce their sugar intake.
Providing Support And Encouragement
Assisted living communities can provide aging adults with support and encouragement as they work to manage their sugar and salt intake. This can include regular check-ins and reminders to stay on track.