Statistics show significantly reduced risks for heart disease in seniors that get up and get moving
Chicago, Illinois (February 2012) – It’s a fact – heart disease is the single biggest health
risk for seniors across the United States. It is the leading annual cause of death and hospitalizations among all older Americans, but one local company is showing Chicago seniors that simple nutrition tips and lifestyle tricks can significantly lower the risk of them becoming another statistic.
February is American Heart Month, and as groups around the nation are raising awareness about heart disease, local senior care experts from Senior Helpers are working with the local elderly each day to help fight the battle on the front lines.
“Many of the families and seniors we work with locally don’t understand that a proper diet and even the modest of exercise can reduce the risk of heart disease and heart attacks among seniors by more than 25 percent,” said Jonathan Wishnick with Senior Helpers of Chicago, Illinois (IL), a local senior care company that provides in-home and companion care services for seniors throughout the area.
“Getting older doesn’t have to mean getting lazy, so we do everything we possibly can to help our clients continue to live a healthy, happy lifestyle,” Wishnick said.
Statistics About Seniors and Heart Disease*:
- — 5.3 million Americans are living with heart disease and over 600,000 more are diagnosed each year
- — 1 in 5 seniors (those over the age of 65) develop some sort of heart disease
- — The number of seniors hospitalized annually for heart failure has increased more than 130 percent since 1980
- — Simple regular light to moderate physical activity (walking, gardening, outdoor chores, etc.) can reduce the risk of heart disease among seniors by 25 to 36 percent.
*Source: American Heart Association
In addition to physical exercise, a healthy diet and lifestyle can also significantly reduce the risk of suffering heart disease, heart attacks and irregular or rapid heartbeats – all red flags of potential heart failure among the elderly.
“The heart is a muscle, and like every other muscle group in the body, you need to exercise it and give it the nutrients it needs to work properly,” Wishnick said. “Especially as you get older.”
Nutrition Tips for a Heart-Healthy Senior Diet:
- — Quit smoking and minimize alcohol consumption
- — Avoid foods with trans-fats (margarine, bakery goods, fast foods) to reduce cholesterol levels
- — Eat plenty of fish, green vegetables and nuts with omega-3 fatty acids to improve overall heart health
- — Drink black or green tea after meals – antioxidants in these beverages decreases blood vessel constriction and improve overall circulation
“Each senior we work with needs different help and assistance to remain independent,” Wishnick said. “Our caregivers are all trained and certified, and they know how to safely promote an individual heart-healthy lifestyle among aging loved ones. Whether it’s help in the kitchen preparing meals, assistance moving around the house during the day, or simply a friend to motivate an aging family member to get out for an afternoon walk, we can help.”
Media Contact: Jonathan Wishnick, (312) 867-7110, jwishnick@seniorhelpers.com
For more information about Senior Helpers, please visit: http://www.seniorhelpers.com/chicago
####
About Senior Helpers:
Senior Helpers provides many in-home, care-giving services for the elderly in the Chicago, Illinois area. We offer extensive in-home care services for seniors who embrace their independence and the personal dignity that goes with it. Our in-home care services are provided by bonded and insured care givers all of whom pass a National background check.
If a senior family member needs in-home care services in Belmont Harbor, Bucktown, Chicago, DePaul, Downtown, Gold Coast, Lake Shore Drive, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Michigan Avenue, Near North, Near North Side, North Michigan Avenue, Streeterville, Water Tower Place and the surrounding areas, we are an excellent choice with impeccable references. Home health care for your elderly loved ones is never an easy choice, but we can promise we will do our best to make it as painless as possible. From our family to yours we sincerely thank you for considering Senior Helpers of Chicago Home Health Care Company. For more information, please visit: http://www.seniorhelpers.com/chicago.
Senior Helpers In Home Care of Chicago, IL 