Category Archives: Diet And Nutrition

10 Foods for a Longer Life

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10 Foods for a Longer Life

Albuquerque Home Care understands that one of the best things you can do to increase your life span and live a happier and healthier life is to eat a balanced diet. The following foods are proven to be capable of helping you boost your metabolism and burn fat, fight disease, lower cholesterol, stabilize blood sugar and live a longer life. Here are the top ten foods that will help you live a longer life:

1.      Green Tea

Researchers believe that catechins and antioxidants found in green tea are effective at boosting metabolism. Those who drink five or more cups of green tea per day live longer lives compared with those who average less than a cup per day.

2.      Garlic

Allicin, an antibacterial and antifungal compound, is the main ingredient found in garlic. Allicin is produced by the garlic plant as a defense against pests, but inside in your body it fights cancer, strengthens your cardiovascular system, decreases fat storage and even fights acne inflammation.

3.      Grapefruit

Grapefruit contains a massive dose of lycopene, which is the cancer-preventing antioxidant found most commonly in tomatoes. Studies show those who ate grapefruit once a day exhibited a decrease in insulin levels, indicating that their bodies had improved the ability to metabolize sugar. Even a moderate increase in grapefruit intake should have results.

4.      Greek Yogurt

A single cup of Greek yogurt has about a quarter of your day’s calcium and studies show that individuals on calcium-rich diets have an easier time losing body fat. Greek yogurt has no excess sugars and three times as much protein as regular yogurt.

5.      Avocado

More than half the calories in each avocado comes from one of the world’s healthiest fats called monounsaturates. Numerous studies have shown that monounsaturated fats both improve your cholesterol profile and decrease the amount of triglycerides in your blood.

6.      Eggs

Those who eat eggs often enjoy more vitamins and minerals in their diets than those who eat few or no eggs. With only 72 calories, each large egg holds 6.3 grams of high quality protein and a mass amount of vital nutrients. People who replace carbs with eggs for breakfast lose weight 65 percent quicker than those who do not.

7.      Quinoa

Quinoa contains a stronger distribution of nutrients than any grain you’ve probably ever had. It has about twice as much fiber and protein as brown rice and a perfect blend of amino acids. The combination of protein, fiber, healthy fats and a small dose of carbohydrates, help insure a low impact on your blood sugar.

8.      Bell Peppers

All peppers are loaded with antioxidants, but the red, yellow and orange bell peppers contain the highest amounts. These colors result from carotenoids concentrated in the flesh of the pepper also found in tomatoes, carrots and grapefruits. Some of the benefits include improved immune function, better communication between cells, protection against sun damage and a diminished risk for several types of cancer.

9.      Almonds

An ounce of almonds, about 23 nuts, provides nearly 9 grams of heart healthy oleic acid. This monounsaturated fat is known to have a great deal of health benefits, including improved memory. Nearly a quarter of an almond’s calories come from the fiber and protein.

10.  Swiss Chard

In just 35 calories of cooked Swiss chard, you get more than 300% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin K, 100% of vitamin A and 16% of vitamin E. In addition to the nutritional benefits, emerging research suggests that the combination of phytonutrients and fiber in chard may provide an effective defense against colon cancer.

At Home Care Albuquerque we know that a nutritional diet is especially important for seniors to help them live a healthier life. Our Albuquerque caregivers attend trainings to teach them how to cook nutritional and delicious meals for our clients. If you or a loved one needs assistance with activities of daily living and meal preparation, call a Care Manager today and discover our wide range of services for a happier and healthier life for seniors.

5 Simple Cardiovascular Activities For The Elderly

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As individuals get older their tendency to exercise regularly diminishes. One reason for this is that some believe their bodies can no longer take the strain of exercise, which inevitably leads to a self fulfilling prophecy. The simple fact is that exercise is a highly beneficial aspect of life, one that should not be weighted against age. If one cannot exercise on his or her own, then maybe a little support is all they need.

Following is a list of 5 exercises of varying difficulty which can be applied together or separately in the routine of a senior under Albuquerque Live-In Care.

1. Yoga

The benefit of Yoga is that it deals with all aspects of ones body. It gives an individual peace of mind as the nerves are massaged through the various exercises. While Yoga has great benefits it is important to consult a certified yoga instructor before starting any yoga regiments.

2. Aquatic Aerobics

Any primary care physician will tell you that swimming is the best cardiovascular exercise. Swimming isn’t just something to do during the summer. It can easily be worked into daily exercise, adding benefit into any routine. But it is important to know your limits and be safe.

3. Mild Weight Lifting

An object in motion will stay in motion. This is the premise behind weight lifting. If one does not frequently use any given object, then that object will no longer be able to function properly- the same applies for the body. Performing light weight lifting exercises can greatly enhance the mobility o seniors.

4. Tai Chi

This cardiovascular activity tends to works very well because it is specifically targeted for the elderly. It may be mild, but it is potent. Setup a consultation with a local Tai Chi trainer and see if it’s something you might enjoy.

5. Power Walking

Power walking is appealing to many people because it gives individuals the ability to tailor their own speed and strides to fit their comfort levels. Seniors who participate in power walking tend to be more healthy and active compared to those who don’t.

Keep in mind that before you begin any routine, medical conditions should be taken seriously and used to tailor the nutrition and activities of the individual. Albuquerque Home Care is all about caring for the individual as much as possible and this can be done by tailoring all the activities to the individual’s history and background. It is vital that you listen to the feedback the individual gives through their speech and through their vital signs. With that you can begin forming an exercise routine fitted to that individual’s capabilities.

Did You Know Alzheimer’s Affects 5.4 Million People?

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The number of seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s diseases is staggering. According to the Alzheimer’s Association Facts and Figures 2011 report, approximately 5.4 million people of all ages are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease in the United States. Out of the 5.4 million, 5.2 million are above the age of 65 and 200,000 people are below the age of 65. Appropriately, one in every eight older Americans is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and this number is increasing every year.

The occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease is even greater among seniors above the age of 85.  Nearly half of the population above the age of 85 is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. It has also been reported that two thirds of all the Americans affected with Alzheimer’s are women. The projected cost of care for people with Alzheimer’s by 2050 is $1.1trillion. There are almost 15 million unpaid Alzheimer’s caregivers in the United States. It has been found that 17 billion hours of care is provided by Alzheimer’s caregivers. The contribution of health care services to the country is around $183 billion.

There are on going efforts in research to find an effective cure for Alzheimer’s. People affected by Alzheimer’s are completely dependent on family members or professional home care providers for managing their daily activities. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease which affects physical, mental as well as social aspects of an individual life. At times, caring for a person suffering from Alzheimer’s disease can become quite stressful and burdensome. Luckily, many professional home care agencies offer specialized care for seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s.

In home care includes health care as well as personal care rendered in the comfort of the care recipient’s home. A skilled caregiver provides help in managing daily tasks such as brushing, eating, bathing, walking as well as cleaning. Caregivers are professionally trained in providing efficient elder care to elders affected by Alzheimer’s.

If your loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s and you would like to know how our professionally trained Home care Albuquerque caregivers can assist with non-medical home care, please feel free to give us a call at  505-798-0800.