Celebrating Heart Healthy Month in a Elderly Care NJ Facility

According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease is the most deadly disease in the United States. Cardiovascular disease comes in four major forms, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, which can be a heart attack or chest pain, a stroke, or heart failure. Due to the complexities and severities of cardiovascular disease, the American Heart Association has dedicated the month of February as heart healthy month. Aside from bringing awareness to heart health by wearing red on the fourth of February, there are some other tweaks elderly care NJ providers can do for their senior residents.

Educate the Residents of Elderly Care NJ Facility on Heart Health

On a prominent wall, display a helpful bulletin board with heart health pamphlets and information on it. Educate the residents of the elderly care NJ facility about the warning signs of a stroke and heart attack. While the residents are receiving very attentive health care, it is still important to spread awareness in order for them to catch the early warning signs such as numbness in your arm. Encourage the residents to speak up if anything is stressing them out, as stress increases your likely-hood of a heart attack.

Health care coordinators at a elderly care NJ center should play comedies or have a comedian come into the elderly care NJ center in order to encourage the residents to laugh and release any stress

Heart Healthy Dietary Changes for Elderly Care in NJ

Dietary planners at an elderly care NJ facility should analyze their menu. Do their ingredients and menu offerings offer the most hearty healthy alternatives for the residents? If not, dietary planners should implement heart healthy items to their menus.

Below are some simple substitutions the dietary aids can do:

Implement Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Prepare food at the elderly care NJ facility in extra virgin olive oil, which in monounsaturated fats which lowers bad cholesterol. Substitute salad dressings for extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Offer More Fish Selections: Salmon is rich in omega-3’s which help lower blood pressure. Serving salmon twice a week is recommended.
Serve More Nuts: Nuts are rich in both monounsaturated fats and omega 3’s. Nuts can be served as a snack or in muffins.
Reduce Salt: Salt reduction can help lower blood pressure. Substitute salt with flavorful herbs and spices.
Increase Servings of Fruit and Vegetables, Decrease Meat: Less meat means less artery clogging saturated fat.

These small dietary changes can have a profound effect on the heart health of elderly care NJ residents.

Encourage Exercise for Heart Health at an Elderly Care NJ Center

While it may be difficult for many seniors to perform exercises due to mobility issues, there are many activities seniors at an elderly care NJ facility can do. Encourage light weight lifting, swimming or walks. Seniors also can get their heart rates up by playing Nintendo’s Wii gaming system.