One of the keys to radiant health at any age is weight management. Maintaining a healthy weight actually becomes more important as the body ages due to issues such as lowered caloric burning abilities and reduced metabolism function. Below, review tips for helping your older loved one make health and wellness central to their lives, whether they live in a senior living community or at home.

How to Help a Senior Loved One Lose Weight

1. Consume More Protein

Look for ways to add protein to your loved one’s diet, such as having them consume more complete proteins like eggs and finding recipes that use plant-based sources such as assorted legumes and whole grains. Protein not only contributes to muscle mass, which the body loses with age, but it also helps your loved one feel full because it takes longer to digest.

2. Focus on Strength Training

Incorporate resistance training exercises into your older family member’s fitness regimen to avoid muscle mass losses that contribute to calorie burning inefficiency. Work out together using light weights or resistance bands, or find yoga and pilates classes to enjoy. Both practices use bodyweight to perform assorted postures.

3. Increase Water Intake

Encourage the older loved one to drink more water and therefore keep the metabolism working hard. Cold water offers even more metabolism-revving and calorie-burning benefits because the body uses energy to bring the temperature down. Sufficient hydration also keeps your older loved one from mistaking thirst for hunger.

4. Eat About Every Three Hours

Look into healthy snacks and small meal options for the senior since long durations without food slows the metabolism. Find out what type of meals the senior living community provides, if applicable, and discuss any diet restrictions with the staff so that your loved one enjoys a nutrient-dense, customized diet.

5. Don’t Forget About Cardio

Help the senior’s weight management with physical activities that burn calories without stressing the joints, such as swimming, walking, dancing, and bicycling. Take walks together around the senior living community, or look into dance classes the loved one can take with you or new friends. Regular cardio and strength training also contributes to bodily flexibility, coordination, and balance to limit accidents and injuries. 

Grandeville Senior Living Community offers activities and delicious, healthy meals that keep seniors at their recommended weights. The senior living community has served Monroe County, the Finger Lakes Region, and parts of Ontario, Wayne, Orleans, and Genesee Counties in New York for over 40 years. They provide short term, respite, and dementia care, among other compassionate services. Call (585) 621-6160 today to learn more or review activities online.