Senior Health Care Tips

65 years of age or older who are at high risk for COVID-19, health care is important in nutrition management, oral care, depression management, and exercise management

Nutrition management

It emphasizes the importance of managing nutritional status to maintain and improve health, and presents dietary guidelines and dietary practices that reflect the characteristics of the elderly, such as the amount of food, nutritional intake, and recommended foods for each disease.

Inadequate nutritional intake can cause chronic diseases, increase the risk of dementia due to memory loss, and weaken immunity. To prevent this, follow the 5-3-2-1 nutritional rule and recommend, that is, eat vegetables 5 times a day, eat 3 meals a day, eat fish or legumes 2 times a day, and milk and fruit once a day.

Depression management

It provides guidance on how to manage mental health such as self-check questions to find out the main symptoms, causes, and level of depression in old age, which is one of the major health problems of the elderly, how to prevent and improve depression, and a mental health crisis counseling line.

Depression in old age is caused by brain aging, separation from family, alienation and isolation from family and society, chronic diseases and inconvenient movement, and resentment and anger at the past.

To prevent this, create strong supporters such as family and friends around me who support me, and emphasize the importance of loving myself. However, if depression has already been invented, it is recommended to receive medical treatment and interview treatment to improve symptoms.

Oral care

Introduces the identification of major oral problems that occur mainly in old age, correct brushing, how to use oral care products, a three-dimensional oral health management method to prevent dry mouth, and how to clean, wear, and manage dentures.

If oral health deteriorates, chewing is uncomfortable and insufficient nutrition can be consumed, which can lead to deterioration of general health.

As a healthy oral care method, it is important to brush between teeth with an interdental toothbrush along with proper brushing at least twice a day. Also, drink plenty of water and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to keep your mouth dry. Regular check-ups every 6 months to a year and scaling should be done to prevent gum disease. It is also recommended to quit smoking, which is the main culprit for bad breath and stomatitis.

Exercise management

Emphasizes the necessity and importance of regular physical activity and muscle/balance exercise, and provides step-by-step instructions such as precautions before and after exercise, warm-up exercises, and muscle exercise tips in consideration of major diseases and postures.

Exercise improves your overall health and reduces your risk of disease. When exercising, exercise slowly and gradually increase the intensity from the easy stage, and be careful not to injure yourself. It is recommended not to overdo it when there is pain.

Walking should be done for 2 hours and 30 minutes a week, strength training should be done at least 2 days a week, and balance exercise should be done at least 3 days a week. When older people exercise, they should not overdo it, and if experts recommend limiting their activities, they should follow them.

MI Asian Staff
Author: MI Asian Staff