Essential Vitamins For Seniors

As the body ages, it tends to lose necessary vitamins and nutrients. This makes it our job to maintain a healthy diet and take vitamins to replenish what has been lost. Even though there is an overwhelming amount and variety of vitamins on the market, here are some top physician recommended vitamins for seniors 60 years and older.


VITAMIN B12


This vitamin is highly recommended for seniors and adults alike. This is due to the fact that it produces blood as well as nerve cells. Vitamin B12 is derived from animal foods such as fish, meat, dairy, and eggs. However, aging makes it harder to absorb this vitamin from food, especially if one is diagnosed with atrophic gastritis. Atrophic gastritis is a condition affecting 30 percent of Americans aged 50 and over. Individuals diagnosed with atrophic gastritis have a difficult time absorbing nutrients from food and are therefore required to take specific vitamins. Some contributing factors to a B12 deficit are some medications, antacids, and weight loss surgeries.


VITAMIN D


Vitamin D is another necessary vitamin for seniors as it is needed for the absorption of calcium. Calcium and Vitamin D are significant in that they help prevent osteoporosis, a condition where bone strength weakens and becomes prone to fractures. Another reason why seniors are recommended to take Vitamin D is that it helps nerves, muscles, and the immune system function adequately. Although it is true that humans can acquire vitamin D from sunlight, it becomes more difficult to convert the sun’s rays into this vitamin as one ages.


OMEGA-3


Omega-3 is essential for seniors as it is important for the eyes, brain, and sperm cells. These fatty acids cannot be made by the body, therefore it needs to be supplied through pills or food. Some foods high in Omega-3 content are fatty-fish like salmon, walnuts, and flaxseed. In addition, omega-3s may also protect against alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, and arthritis.


MAGNESIUM


Magnesium is another great and often forgotten supplement for seniors. Not only does it help the body make protein for bones, but it also helps helps keep your blood sugar stable. Magnesium can be derived from leafy greens, nuts, and seeds however seniors tend to eat less of these and prefer to take magnesium in a pill form. Additionally, the majority of seniors take medications which tend to leave them short of magnesium.


SELENIUM


Selenium is one nutrient which many might not know about, but is essential to the human body. It works to protect the cells from infection, damage, and keeps the thyroid healthy. Further, selenium has also been linked to prevent age-related illnesses like dementia, certain types of cancer, and thyroid disease. An easy way to supplement selenium is to include one to two brazil nuts a day into your diet, or simply take it in a pill form. Make sure to not eat too many brazil nuts, as too much selenium may cause hair loss.

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Thanksgiving Activities for Seniors

01 Apr, 2022
Finally, Thanksgiving is upon us! A time filled with friends, family, great food, and laughter. However, one thing that makes this holiday different from other American holidays is its emphasis on gratefulness. Thanksgiving is all about appreciating those around us and being grateful for the things we have, aside from its historical significance of course. Whether you are a caregiver, a family member, or a friend, the holidays provide a great opportunity to keep your relationship with a senior strong. Here are a few fun activities for family members and seniors to participate in: Baking This is a great activity for seniors as well as the whole family, especially since food is a staple at Thanksgiving. Some things worth baking during this season are things like pumpkin pie, apple pie, cheesecake, or simple things like chocolate-chip cookies. The children can also join, helping bake the cookies and then decorating them. For healthier baked goods, one can look online or ask the senior for some dessert recipes. What would make the senior happier than baking something from their childhood? Relive Moments Through Scrapbooking If you have a pile of photographs that you’ve been saving, now is the perfect time to bring them out! This is also a great activity for seniors with Alzheimer’s as a photograph and recalling when it was snapped might jog their memory. Decorating the scrapbook with stickers and other items might even invite the kids to join in as well. Later on, the kids will inherit the scrapbooks and be able to look back on the great memories they’ve made. Holiday Decorating Decorating the house for the holidays is another festive activity which seniors can most definitely participate in. Put out some cinnamon-scented pine cones or even some autumn colored trinkets to the space. Go outside and collect some beautiful fall-time leaves which have fallen down. Another great idea is taking the senior to a pumpkin patch and picking out some pumpkins to decorate the front of the house. Shopping Many might overlook this festive activity, however seniors can be brought along to help with the Thanksgiving shopping list. Not only will they be great company, but they might also provide some tips for which items to purchase. Have the senior hold the shopping list and keep track of all the items you buy, this will ensure that nothing is forgotten. After that, have the senior pick a place where they would like to eat and thank them for their help.
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