Cholesterol Basics For Senior People From Assisted Living Caregivers In Phoenix

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More than half of all the adults in United States have high cholesterol and as per experts, only one in three of these adults has this condition under control. Adults over the age of 65 are at a higher risk of having a stroke or a heart attack attached to high cholesterol levels in the body. All this makes it important for the senior people to stick to their prescribed medication. High cholesterol levels is a very dangerous condition which should be in check and high cholesterol itself does not have any typical symptoms. Senior living facilities offer health assistance round the clock and organize programs to help their senior clients with health concerns. Physical activity is the key to senior health and well-being which is what an assisted living facility ensures through “Live with Action” programming. If you think that it is time that your parent or loved one should be shifted to an assisted facility, then Anthem Senior Living is the stop for you. It is an award-winning assisted living Anthem facility in the Phoenix region in Arizona which consists of some of the most experienced and compassionate caregivers.

The Different Types Of Cholesterol:

A cholesterol screening measures three types of fat in the blood which are:

LDL or Bad Cholesterol– The lower the number, the lesser the risk for a stroke or a heart disease. A screening number of less than 100 mg/dL is considered to be optimal. Anything higher than 159 increases the risk for a serious health crisis. LDL can sometimes be controlled with a healthy diet and regular exercise, there may also be a hereditary component as well. The best way to maintain a good LDL is through medication.

HDL or Good Cholesterol- The higher the number, the better. As per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an HDL of 60 mg/dL is said to protect against heart disease. Less than 40 mg/dL increases a major risk for heart disease for an individual.

Triglycerides- This is the easiest to control as a healthy diet and some amount of exercise can keep triglycerides under 100 mg/dL, which is considered optimal, while normal can be up to 150 mg/dL. Anything higher than 199 mg/dL can result in metabolic syndrome, a condition that increases the risk for cardiovascular problems and type 2 diabetes.

How To Manage Cholesterol?

Senior people more often than not struggle to follow doctor’s orders with regards to diet, exercise and taking their cholesterol medication as prescribed by a physician. Some of the ways through which a senior person can manage his or her cholesterol are:

Diet- Create a diet chart for your loved one which should be in compliance with their dietary restrictions but should include healthy and tasty options, it should not be bland. Include more high-fiber foods such as oatmeals and beans and exclude foods high in saturated fats. You can go through the American Heart Association’s menu planning ideas which can prove to be very much helpful for you.

Education– You should conduct a thorough conversation with your loved ones about cholesterol and risks associated with it if not managed well. A good and open conversation with your senior family members would help you in finding ways to make it easier for them to adhere to their medication schedule.

Exercise- A senior person should include some form of exercise in their daily routine, the exercises can range from chair yoga, swimming to just a mere walking for a few minutes on a regular basis.

So approach Anthem Senior Living in the Phoenix region in Arizona and book a suite. The senior health challenges that we work with are dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy Bodies Dementia, high blood pressure, companionship care, wound care, bed bound patients, Feeding Tubes/Picc Lines, heart disease, cancer, Arthritis, respiratory diseases, diabetes, falls, depression, etc.