High blood pressure is common in seniors, and it can lead to strokes, kidney failure, and other health conditions. Certain dietary and lifestyle changes can lower blood pressure and boost quality of life. If your senior loved one has hypertension, encourage him or her to quit eating the following foods.
1. Deli Meat
Deli meat contains excessive salt, which can lead to high blood pressure. If your loved one wants a sandwich, opt for baked or grilled chicken. If your parent enjoys eating deli meat occasionally, look for options with lower amounts of sodium.
2. Canned Spaghetti Sauce
Like deli meat, canned spaghetti sauces are often packed with sodium. If your loved one has a taste for pasta dishes, try making homemade sauce with fresh tomatoes and spices like oregano and garlic instead of salt.
A home caregiver can help your loved one plan and prepare meals that meet specific dietary requirements. Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality home care. Trust Assisting Hands Home Care to help your elderly loved one age in place safely and comfortably.
3. Beer
If your loved one enjoys drinking beer, he or she could be at risk for hypertension. Alcohol consumption raises blood pressure and damages the blood vessels over time. Encourage your loved one to limit alcohol to only a small glass of red wine per day.
4. Doughnuts
Eating a doughnut or two in the morning can affect blood pressure. These fried dough rings are loaded with saturated and trans fats, which are bad for the cardiovascular system. Doughnuts contain more trans fats than potato chips.
5. Frozen Pizza
Frozen pizzas may seem like a good meal option for seniors who want a quick meal to pop in the oven. However, frozen pizzas are full of sodium and other unhealthy preservatives. Eating pizza that contains cured deli meats such as pepperoni or ham can further increase the risk of hypertension.
If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Miami families can trust. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia.
6. Canned Soup
Canned soup is another popular food option for seniors because it’s inexpensive and easy to cook. However, one serving of canned soup may contain a person’s entire daily recommended sodium intake. Instead of buying canned products from the store, you should consider preparing low-sodium soup at home for your loved one.
7. Coffee
Caffeine can raise blood pressure when consumed in large amounts. One cup of coffee per day might be safe for people without hypertension. However, seniors with high blood pressure should consider eliminating coffee from their diets.
Caring for a loved one with hypertension can be challenging, and family caregivers sometimes need a break from their caregiving responsibilities. Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs 24/7 elderly home care. Assisting Hands Home Care can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home. To create a customized Live-in Care Miami plan for your loved one, call us today.
