If your senior parent is battling high cholesterol, the food that they eat can help that fight. It can also help your senior parent lower their risk of developing heart disease. However, eating healthy meals can be a struggle for seniors who are living independently. Home care can help.

When your mom or dad has home care, they will get help from a professional caregiver with things like cooking meals, cleaning up, doing the laundry, shopping, and running errands. That extra support can improve your mom or dad’s physical and mental health.

If you want to help your mom or dad manage their health at home, a home care provider can help your senior parent shop for and prepare meals that include healthy foods like:

1. Oats
Oats are a great breakfast option for senior, but they can be eaten for any meal or even a healthy snack. Oats are rich in soluble fiber, which helps reduce bad cholesterol. Soluble fiber binds to cholesterol in the digestive system and removes it from the body. Just one and a half cups of oatmeal daily can lower cholesterol by 5-10% in some seniors. Your mom or dad can add fruit or nuts or even maple syrup to enhance the flavor of the oats.

2. Fatty Fish
Fatty fish, like salmon, mackerel, and tuna, are recommended for seniors that are looking for heart-friendly foods. They contain omega-3 fatty acids, which improve overall heart health. Omega-3s reduce triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood, and increase good cholesterol (HDL). Your mom or dad should try to get at least two servings of fatty fish each week.

3. Nuts
Nuts are a fantastic snack for seniors. Nuts like almonds, walnuts, and pistachios are excellent for managing cholesterol. They are packed with healthy fats, fiber, and plant compounds. These nutrients help lower cholesterol while protecting the heart. Just make sure that your mom or dad isn’t eating too many nuts because they are high in calories. And make sure they are eating unsalted nuts.

4. Beans and Lentils
Beans and lentils should be a staple food for seniors because they are healthy and easily accessible. They are high in soluble fiber and plant-based protein. Adding beans to meals can lower bad cholesterol and improve heart health. Swap out red meat with lentils in soups, salads, or stews. Black beans, chickpeas, and kidney beans are all great choices.

5. Fruits
Certain fruits, like apples, oranges, and berries, are natural cholesterol fighters. They contain pectin, a type of soluble fiber that lowers LDL cholesterol. Blueberries and strawberries are also rich in antioxidants, which protect the heart. Your mom or dad can snack on fresh fruit or add it to meals for a sweet, healthy boost. Fruit mixed with Greek yogurt or cottage cheese is a fantastic protein-rich snack option for seniors who don’t like to eat heavy meals.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring home care in Pawleys Island, SC, contact Heart of the Carolinas Home Care at 864-991-3116.

Providing Home Care Services in Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer, Anderson, Spartanburg, Mauldin, Seneca, Laurens, Charleston, Columbia, and the surrounding areas.

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Edward Harrison

Founder at Heart of the Carolinas

Edward Harrison founded the Heart of the Carolinas Homecare in 2007 when he saw there was a need for caregivers that provide non-medical home care services, at a price that most people could afford. It was standard in the industry to require hourly minimums and it was common to be assigned a caregiver, not matched with one based on your individual personal needs. Edward understood that to make a successful relationship between caregiver and client, skills were not enough, personality and compatibility plays as much a role as do skills.

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